Costco Issues Urgent Recall of Caesar Salad and Chicken Sandwich Over Plastic Contamination Risk (November 25, 2025)

As of Tuesday, November 25, 2025, Costco is still urging members to stop eating certain ready‑to‑eat Caesar salad products after plastic fragments were found in the dressing packets used in those meals. The nationwide warehouse chain has recalled two popular deli items — its prepared Caesar Salad and Chicken Sandwich with Caesar Salad — in cooperation with dressing supplier Ventura Foods, following a member letter first posted on November 7. ^[1]

Today, fresh coverage from outlets in the U.S. and abroad is amplifying the warning, underscoring that some shoppers may still have these products or dressing packets in their refrigerators. ^[2]

What Exactly Is Being Recalled?

According to Costco’s member notice and multiple food‑safety reports, the recall covers two prepared deli items: ^[3]

Item #19927 – Caesar Salad
Item #11444 – Chicken Sandwich with Caesar Salad

In both cases, the issue is the Caesar salad dressing, supplied by Ventura Foods, which may contain small plastic pieces. The rest of the salad components (lettuce, chicken, croutons, etc.) are not the focus of the recall — the risk is tied specifically to the dressing packets included with these items. ^[4]

These products were sold as grab‑and‑go refrigerated meals at select Costco warehouses in the Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast regions of the United States. ^[5]

Key Details for Shoppers: How to Identify the Affected Products

If you shop at Costco and buy prepared foods from the deli, it’s worth checking your fridge (and any extra dressings you might have saved). Here’s what to look for, based on Costco’s recall letter and local TV affiliate summaries: ^[6]

Recalled items

Product names:
- “Caesar Salad” (Costco deli, refrigerated)
- “Chicken Sandwich with Caesar Salad” (combo pack)
Item numbers:
- Caesar Salad – #19927
- Chicken Sandwich with Caesar Salad – #11444

Sell‑by / lot dates

Sell‑by dates: from October 17, 2025 through November 9, 2025
- Some consumer‑safety outlets describe this window as “mid‑October to early November,” but all agree it ends on 11/9/25. ^[7]

Even though those dates have passed, the recall is still highly relevant: people often keep extra dressing packets or leftovers beyond the printed sell‑by date, especially during a busy holiday season.

Where they were sold

Select Costco warehouses in the:
- Midwest
- Northeast
- Southeast ^[8]

If you’re unsure whether your local warehouse was affected, Costco is directing members to check their online “Product & Food Recall” page or contact customer service. ^[9]

Why the Recall Was Issued: Plastic in the Dressing

The November 7 member letter states that the recall was launched “due to the possible presence of plastic foreign material in the salad dressing” that’s included with the Caesar Salad and Chicken Sandwich with Caesar Salad. ^[10]

Food‑safety specialists warn that plastic fragments in ready‑to‑eat foods are more than just an unpleasant surprise. They can: ^[11]

Pose a choking hazard, especially for children or older adults
Cause cuts or injuries to the mouth, throat, or digestive tract
Potentially require medical attention if swallowed

A detailed analysis by Food Poisoning Bulletin notes that Costco’s brief recall notice did not state whether any injuries or adverse events had been reported at the time it was issued. ^[12] Subsequent coverage from major outlets has likewise not reported confirmed injuries linked specifically to this salad recall as of November 25, 2025, but shoppers are urged to treat the warning seriously and contact a doctor if they experience pain, bleeding, or trouble swallowing after eating these products. ^[13]

Ventura Foods, the California‑based supplier responsible for the dressing, is working with Costco on the recall and is listed as the recalling firm in safety bulletins. ^[14]

What’s New Today, November 25, 2025?

While the recall itself was announced in early November, it remains actively in the news today for two main reasons:

Consumer outlets are re‑upping the warning.
- A fresh article published today by Somos Hermanos highlights the Caesar Salad and Chicken Sandwich recall, reiterating the lot numbers and explaining the risks of plastic contamination for a global audience. ^[15]
- U.S. lifestyle and news sites like Rolling Out have also pushed new pieces today tying the Caesar recall to Costco’s broader pattern of recent product recalls, reminding shoppers to check their kitchens again. ^[16]
Food‑safety sites are keeping it in their “current recalls” lists.
- Round‑ups from outlets like Allrecipes and EatingWell continue to list the Caesar salad recall alongside other major recalls, such as infant formula and ice cream bars, signalling that regulators and consumer advocates still consider it an ongoing concern. ^[17]

In short: even though the affected salads and sandwiches are no longer being sold, they may still be sitting in home fridges, which is why you’re seeing this story again on November 25.

What To Do If You Have the Recalled Salad or Dressing

If you recognize these products in your fridge — or if you’ve saved the dressing packets — here’s what Costco and food‑safety experts recommend: ^[18]

Stop eating the product immediately.
- Do not try to pick out visible plastic and keep eating; fragments may be too small to see.
Check item numbers and dates.
- Look for:
  - Item #19927 – Caesar Salad
  - Item #11444 – Chicken Sandwich with Caesar Salad
- Sell‑by dates between 10/17/25 and 11/9/25.
Return or safely discard.
- Costco’s notice is clear: bring the affected product back to your local warehouse for a full refund.
- You do not need a receipt because purchases are tracked through your membership. ^[19]
- If you prefer to throw it away, wrap it or double‑bag it before placing it in the trash so that others (or animals) can’t accidentally consume it. ^[20]
Contact a health professional if you feel unwell.
- Seek medical advice if you or a family member experiences:
  - Pain in the mouth or throat
  - Bleeding, cuts, or soreness in the mouth
  - Trouble swallowing
  - Unusual abdominal pain after eating the salad or sandwich
Reach out to Costco customer service with questions.
- Members can use Costco’s online customer service and recall pages for additional support and updates. ^[21]

This Recall in Context: Other Recent Costco Safety Alerts

The Caesar salad incident is part of a broader wave of recalls affecting Costco shoppers this fall:

Kirkland Signature Prosecco Valdobbiadene:
Earlier this year, Costco recalled nearly a million bottles after reports that some unopened bottles could spontaneously shatter, prompting a safety warning for anyone who had them stored at home. ^[22]
Other food and kitchen recalls:
Round‑ups by consumer‑food sites list additional items — from specialty ice creams to jarred pasta sauces — that have been pulled for allergen, botulism, or contamination risks. Costco’s Caesar salad recall is one of the higher‑profile cases because it targets prepared, ready‑to‑eat meals that many shoppers grab for quick lunches or party trays. ^[23]

These incidents don’t mean Costco’s food is uniquely unsafe; large retailers handle enormous volumes of products, so when something goes wrong, recalls can be big and highly visible. But they do highlight how important it is for shoppers to stay on top of recall news — especially during busy holiday shopping periods when fridges are packed and leftovers pile up.

How to Stay Informed About Food Recalls

To reduce your risk and catch future problems early, consider:

Bookmarking Costco’s recall page and checking it before big shopping trips. ^[24]
Subscribing to food‑safety newsletters from reputable sources like Food Poisoning Bulletin or major food media brands. ^[25]
Following local news stations and health departments, which often localize national recalls for specific regions. ^[26]

With this Caesar salad recall, the bottom line is simple:

If you bought Costco’s prepared Caesar Salad or Chicken Sandwich with Caesar Salad this fall, check the item number and sell‑by date today. When in doubt, don’t eat it — return it.

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