Product recalls are never pleasant. They serve as a reminder that things sometimes go wrong and we need to be careful. Even Costco, a store that seems perfect in every way, is not immune to this.
The FDA and Western United Fish Company dba Annasea Foods Group recently announced the recall of thousands of pounds of a prepared product from Costco’s deli section. The product in question is Kirkland Signature brand Ahi Tuna Wasabi Poke (Item #17193), and it is being recalled due to the risk of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
A problematic Tuna Poke bowl
In total, more than 3,314.7 pounds of the product have been recalled. That’s more than a ton of tuna poke. Aside from mercury poisoning, this fish delicacy is at risk of being contaminated by exogenous bacteria.
The recall has been carried out in 33 states —we can presume the product is processed in a single plant and shipped frozen to the rest of the United States for subsequent packaging and sale to the public. Costco has not provided many details about the recall, only advising consumers not to eat it.
However, this is too late: the packaging date is September 18, 2025, while the sell-by date is five days later, on September 22, 2025.
The most ironic thing about all this commotion is that it was not a problem caused by animal protein. The bluefin tuna used to prepare this dish was in perfect condition; it was the supplier of the spring onions used to season the dish that tested positive for Listeria bacteria and notified the authorities. So far, no illnesses have been reported, but it has been removed from Costco shelves as a precaution.
If you remember eating tuna poke purchased at Costco in the middle of last month, don’t panic… but keep an eye on your health just in case.
Listeria, that silent threat
It is an extremely resistant bacterium that is capable of growing even in the refrigerator. For most healthy adults, a listeriosis infection can resemble the flu or mild gastroenteritis. It causes fever, diarrhea, and general muscle pain. The problem is that these symptoms of listeriosis can take up to 70 days to appear. Imagine eating something that has gone bad and waiting two months to start feeling ill… We advise you to monitor your health until at least mid-November to be on the safe side.
Listeria is especially dangerous for pregnant women, as it increases the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, or, in more severe cases, fetal death. Although the mother may only have mild symptoms, the infection is devastating for the fetus in her womb. People over 65 and those with compromised immune systems are also at risk of the infection becoming severe. It can reach the brain through the bloodstream, causing meningitis, sepsis, and, if left untreated, death. If you belong to one of these risk groups and have consumed Cosco’s tuna poke, we strongly advise you to seek medical attention immediately.
What to do about this recall
Although the expiration date has passed, Cosco is asking its customers not to consume the product under any circumstances. If you had it frozen, it is best to throw it away. Do not attempt to cook it, feed it to a pet, or donate it. Food service is insignificant compared to the public health risks involved in handling food contaminated with listeria.
Customers can now visit their local Cosco for a full refund. If you are concerned about having had a potentially contaminated container in your refrigerator and want to clean it, you can scrub it with warm water and soap. If you want to disinfect it further, you can make a disinfectant solution with one teaspoon of unscented bleach diluted in 1/4 gallon of water to clean surfaces and cutting boards. Let it sit for 10 minutes to fully disinfect before rinsing thoroughly.