Costco Whipped Cream Recall: Kirkland Cans Pulled in 12 States

If you bought a three-pack of Kirkland whipped cream in October, check the bottom of the cans before they go anywhere near a pie. Costco is pulling some cans of Kirkland Signature Real Heavy Whipped Cream because one production batch may contain a small amount of a cleaning chemical, according to a letter from the maker, Alamance Foods, that Costco sent to members who bought it.

The timing is bad for a lot of households. The recall started circulating widely on Friday, Nov. 13, when Fox Business and ABC News picked it up, and Thanksgiving is less than two weeks out. By midday Friday, "costco whipped cream recall" and "costco whipped cream recall states" were top Google autocomplete suggestions.

What's in the Costco whipped cream recall

The recall is narrow. It doesn't cover every can of Kirkland whipped cream on the shelf, only one batch. Here's what the Alamance Foods letter lists:

• Product: Kirkland Signature Real Heavy Whipped Cream, 15 oz (425 g)
• Costco item number: 1777000
• Packaging: three-packs, shipped in cases of eight; item code AC50
• Best if used by: April 2, 2027 (printed as APR/02/27)
• Timestamps on the can: 00:35 through 02:45
• Purchase window: Oct. 11 to Oct. 31, 2026

A can has to match the date and fall inside that timestamp range to be part of the recall. A can dated April 2, 2027, with a timestamp of 03:10, for example, is outside it.

Which states are affected

The cans were sold at Costco warehouses in 12 states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

That's mostly the Southeast plus part of the Midwest. The San Francisco Chronicle pointed out that California isn't on the list. If you live elsewhere but shopped at a Costco in one of these states during a trip in October, the recall still applies to you.

Why Kirkland whipped cream was recalled

Alamance Foods says it learned that one batch "may contain a small amount of a cleaning chemical." The tip-off came from customers: members reported a chemical smell and taste.

The company says no one has reported serious effects that needed medical care, and it describes the recall as voluntary and done "out of an abundance of caution." What the letter leaves out matters, too. It doesn't name the chemical, and it doesn't explain how it got into the product. The Chronicle noted the same gaps. Until Alamance or Costco says more, nobody outside the company can say how much was in the cans or what kind of cleaner it was.

How to check your can

Turn the can over and look at the printed code on the bottom. You're looking for two things:

1. The best-if-used-by date, APR/02/27.
2. A time printed with it. If it reads anywhere from 00:35 to 02:45, the can is part of the recall.

If the date doesn't match, you're fine. If the date matches but the time is outside that window, you're also fine, based on the letter. If the printing is smudged and you can't tell, treat it as recalled. A can of whipped cream isn't worth the guesswork.

Already used some?

The letter doesn't give health guidance beyond saying no serious adverse effects have been reported. If you or someone in your house feels unwell after eating whipped cream that smelled or tasted like chemicals, call your doctor or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222, which is free and open around the clock.

How to get a refund at Costco

Stop using the product and take it back to your local Costco for a full refund, the letter says. Costco knew whom to contact because the purchases were tied to memberships: the letter went to members, or their add-on members, whose records showed they bought item 1777000 between Oct. 11 and Oct. 31.

If you got that letter but can't find the cans, ask at the membership counter before writing it off. Questions for the manufacturer can go to Alamance Foods at customer.care@alamancefood.com.

What to use instead for Thanksgiving

The recall doesn't mean you need to skip the topping. Kirkland cans outside the recalled batch aren't affected, and Costco hasn't said it will stop selling the product. If you'd rather not deal with it, a pint of heavy cream and a whisk or mixer makes whipped cream in about five minutes. A tablespoon or two of sugar and a splash of vanilla is all it needs, and it holds in the fridge for a few hours if you make it before dinner.

It's been a busy fall for recalls in American kitchens and bathrooms. We've also covered the Kayem hot dog and bacon recall and the Brush Buddies toothpaste recall. If you're traveling for the holiday, our look at why flights are so expensive this season covers the other big Thanksgiving headache.

For now, the useful thing is quick: check the bottom of the can, and if it says APR/02/27 with a time between 00:35 and 02:45, take it back.