If you recently picked up Costco’s popular Meatloaf with Mashed Yukon Potatoes and Glaze from your local warehouse, do not eat it. The retailer announced on Monday, March 16 that it is recalling the refrigerated meal due to potential salmonella contamination, urging anyone who purchased the product to return it to their nearest Costco location for a full refund immediately.
No illnesses or injuries have been reported as of the time of the announcement, but health officials and the retailer are urging customers to act now rather than wait.
What triggered the recall and which product is affected
The recall was initiated after Griffith Foods Inc., the supplier of an ingredient used in the meatloaf, issued its own similar recall. Out of an abundance of caution, Costco moved quickly to pull the product from circulation across all affected locations. The item in question is the Meatloaf with Mashed Yukon Potatoes and Glaze, identified in Costco’s system as item number 30783. Products included in the recall carry sell-by dates ranging from March 5 through Monday, March 16.
The affected meals were sold to consumers between March 2 and March 13, 2026, meaning anyone who purchased the product during that two-week window should check their refrigerator immediately.
Where the recalled product was sold
The recall spans an extensive geographic footprint, covering Costco locations across 28 states and territories. The affected states include Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Washington D.C., Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
If you live in any of these states and purchased the meatloaf meal during the recall window, the guidance from Costco is direct and unambiguous — do not consume the product under any circumstances and return it to your local store for a full refund.
What salmonella is and why it matters
Salmonella is one of the most common bacterial infections affecting the intestinal tract in the United States. The bacteria typically live in animal and human intestines and are most commonly transmitted through contaminated food or water. According to the Mayo Clinic, most people who develop a salmonella infection experience diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps within 8 to 72 hours of exposure, with most healthy adults recovering within a few days to a week without specific medical treatment.
However, the risk profile is significantly more serious for certain groups. Costco’s own recall statement specifically warns that salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly people, and anyone with a weakened immune system. For these groups in particular, consuming a contaminated product is not simply an unpleasant experience — it is a genuine health emergency.
What to do right now
The steps are straightforward. Check your refrigerator for the Costco Meatloaf with Mashed Yukon Potatoes and Glaze bearing item number 30783 and a sell-by date between March 5 and March 16. If you have the product, do not eat it regardless of whether it appears or smells normal. Salmonella contamination is not detectable by sight or smell. Return the product to your nearest Costco location, where you will receive a full refund without needing a receipt.
Anyone who has already consumed the product and is experiencing symptoms consistent with salmonella infection including diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramping — should contact their healthcare provider promptly, particularly if symptoms are severe or if the affected person falls into one of the higher-risk groups.
Source: PEOPLE / Costco / Mayo Clinic
