Tejal Somvanshi
Nearly 1,700 pounds of Cabot Creamery butter has been recalled after testing found elevated levels of bacteria that could indicate fecal contamination. The recall affects the company’s Extra Creamy Premium Butter with sea salt sold across seven states.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified this as a Class III recall on April 8, 2025, indicating that using the product is “not likely to cause adverse health consequences.” The voluntary recall began on March 26.
What You Need to Know
The recall specifically targets Cabot Creamery’s 8-ounce Extra Creamy Premium Butter with sea salt, packaged as two 4-ounce sticks in cardboard shells.
The affected butter can be identified by:
- UPC: 0 78354 62038 0
- Lot Code: 090925-055
- Item Number: 2038
- Best By Date: September 9, 2025
The butter was distributed to retail locations in Arkansas, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont.
Limited Consumer Exposure
Agri-Mark, Cabot Creamery’s parent company, reports that 189 cases (1,701 pounds) of butter were recalled, but 99.5% was recovered before reaching consumers. According to the company, only 17 packages reached store shelves, all in Vermont.
“Agri-Mark has identified the cause and has taken the appropriate internal actions to address it. No other products were affected,” the company stated.
As of April 10, no illnesses or consumer complaints have been reported.
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Why Coliform Bacteria Matters
The recall was triggered after internal testing found elevated levels of coliform bacteria in the butter.
Coliform bacteria are commonly found in soil, water, and the intestines of animals and humans. While most coliform bacteria don’t cause illness themselves, their presence in food can signal unsanitary processing conditions.
According to the Washington State Department of Health, while coliform is unlikely to cause illness itself, its presence suggests that other pathogens could be present, including potentially harmful bacteria like E. coli. These pathogens might include dangerous strains of E. coli, Salmonella, or Listeria, which can cause severe illness.
What Consumers Should Do
If you have purchased the affected butter:
- Check your refrigerator for the specific UPC, lot code, and best-by date
- Either discard the product or return it to the place of purchase for a refund
- Do not consume the recalled product
While the FDA has given this a Class III classification (lowest risk level), taking precautionary measures with recalled food products is generally recommended.
Food Safety Standards
This recall highlights the importance of food safety monitoring in the dairy industry. While the recall is classified as low-risk, it demonstrates how routine testing can catch potential issues before they lead to illness outbreaks.
Food recalls are a regular part of the food safety monitoring systems in the United States, with companies often initiating voluntary recalls when testing identifies potential issues.
For updates on this and other recalls, consumers can check the FDA’s recall information website.
Frequently Asked Questions
The FDA has classified this as a Class III recall, which means the product is “not likely to cause adverse health consequences.” However, the elevated coliform bacteria levels could indicate potential fecal contamination. While most coliform bacteria are not harmful themselves, their presence suggests possible unsanitary conditions during processing. As a precaution, you should not consume the recalled butter.
Check if you have Cabot Creamery’s 8-ounce Extra Creamy Premium Butter with sea salt (packaged as two 4-ounce sticks in cardboard shells). Look for these specific identifiers: UPC: 0 78354 62038 0, Lot Code: 090925-055, Item Number: 2038, and Best By Date: September 9, 2025. If your butter matches these details, it’s part of the recall.
The recalled Cabot Creamery butter was distributed to seven states: Arkansas, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont. However, according to the company, only 17 packages actually reached store shelves, all in Vermont.
If you have the recalled butter, do not consume it. Your options are to either discard it safely or return it to the place of purchase for a refund or replacement. Even though this is classified as a lower-risk recall, it’s best to take these precautionary measures.
Coliform bacteria are a group of bacteria commonly found in soil, water, and the intestines of animals and humans. According to the Washington State Department of Health, while coliform bacteria themselves are unlikely to cause illness, their presence in food products can indicate possible fecal contamination and poor sanitation during processing. This raises concerns that other harmful pathogens like E. coli might also be present.
As of April 10, 2025, there have been no reported illnesses or consumer complaints associated with this recalled butter. Agri-Mark (Cabot Creamery’s parent company) has stated that 99.5% of the recalled product was recovered before reaching consumers, which significantly reduces the risk of anyone becoming ill from the affected butter.
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