We all love a good Costco run, right? Those massive shopping carts, free samples, and bulk deals that make us feel like we’re saving a fortune. But here’s something you might not know – not all canned goods at Costco deserve a spot in your pantry. With recent recalls hitting the headlines, it’s smart to be picky about which canned foods you toss in your cart. I’ve done some digging into Costco’s canned food safety record, and I’m sharing what I found, from the most concerning products to the safest options.
Canned tuna with manufacturing defects
If you’ve got canned tuna in your pantry right now, you might want to check the label. In February 2025, Tri-Union Seafoods recalled several brands of canned tuna sold at Costco due to a manufacturing defect that could lead to botulism poisoning. This isn’t your average food recall – botulism is serious business and can cause symptoms like blurred vision, difficulty swallowing, and even respiratory failure. The recall affected popular brands including Genova and Van Camp’s that were distributed across the United States.
What makes this recall especially concerning is the widespread distribution and the severity of the potential illness. Botulism is rare but can be life-threatening. If you’ve purchased canned tuna from Costco recently, check for the affected UPC codes and best-by dates. If you find any matching products, don’t take chances – throw them out or return them to the store for a refund. Even if your cans look normal from the outside, the manufacturing defect might not be visible but could still make the product unsafe to eat.
Bulging organic chicken bone broth
Have you ever noticed a can that looks like it’s about to pop? That’s a major red flag. Recently, a Costco shopper reported an organic chicken bone broth with a bulging can despite having an expiration date of April 2025. When they opened it, the smell was unmistakably rancid. Bulging cans are never normal – they indicate that bacteria inside are producing gas, which causes the can to swell. This is especially concerning with bone broth products, which many people buy for health reasons.
The danger with bulging cans is that they could contain harmful bacteria that cause foodborne illness. While one report doesn’t necessarily mean all chicken bone broth at Costco has problems, it’s a good reminder to always inspect cans before purchase and again before opening. Look for any signs of bulging, denting at the seams, or leaking. If you find a swollen can like this shopper did, don’t open it – the release of pressurized gas could spread contamination. Instead, return it to Costco and report the issue to both the store and the FDA to help prevent others from getting sick.
Kirkland signature canned cold brew coffee
Coffee lovers, this one might be hard to swallow. In 2023, Costco recalled its Kirkland Signature Colombian Cold Brew Coffee due to potential metal contamination. While technically not a traditional can (it comes in those tall, slim cans), it falls into the same category of metal-packaged goods. Metal contamination is particularly dangerous because it can cause serious injuries – from cuts in your mouth to more severe internal damage if swallowed. And unlike some contamination issues, you can’t always see metal fragments before drinking.
The issue with this particular recall was that the metal fragments could have come from the manufacturing equipment, making them small and potentially hard to detect. While Costco has a strong track record of quickly addressing recalls, this incident reminds us that even their store-brand products aren’t immune to safety issues. If you’re a cold brew fan, you might want to consider other alternatives or brewing your own at home until more time has passed since this recall. When shopping for any canned beverages at Costco, it’s also smart to check for any unusual sounds like rattling when you shake the can gently.
Canned foods with rancid smell or taste
Have you ever opened a can and been hit with a smell that made you recoil? That’s exactly what happened with Kirkland Signature Shelled Walnuts in 2022, which were recalled due to rancid smell and taste. While walnuts come in plastic containers rather than traditional cans, the issue of rancidity applies to many canned goods as well. Rancidity happens when fats in food start to break down, resulting in that unmistakable “off” smell. This is particularly common in canned goods containing oils or high-fat ingredients, like certain fish products, nuts, and some prepared meals.
What makes rancid canned goods tricky is that they might not make you sick right away, but they definitely aren’t good for you. Rancid fats contain harmful free radicals and can cause digestive discomfort. The key is to trust your nose – if a canned product from Costco smells “off” when you open it, don’t ignore that warning sign. Even if the expiration date says it should be fine, factors like improper storage or manufacturing issues can cause products to go bad prematurely. Before buying canned goods with high fat content, check the production date and try to choose the newest stock available.
Canned goods with dented edges or seams
We’ve all seen those dented cans sitting on store shelves, sometimes even marked down for quick sale. But here’s why you should never buy them, especially from bulk stores like Costco where items might sit longer: dents along the seam or edge of a can compromise its seal, potentially allowing bacteria to enter. This is particularly dangerous with low-acid canned goods like vegetables, soups, and meats. Once that seal is broken, even microscopically, harmful bacteria can grow inside despite the canning process designed to kill them.
While Costco generally maintains high standards for product handling, their bulk packaging means that cans can get damaged during shipping or while being moved around the warehouse. Always inspect cans carefully before purchasing. Small dents on the side of the can are less concerning, but never buy cans with dents along the top, bottom, or seam areas. Also avoid cans that are deeply dented, rusted, or bulging. Even though Costco has strong food safety protocols, these physical damages can happen after products have passed inspection and create dangerous situations that no amount of quality assurance can predict.
Canned products with undeclared allergens
Food allergies are no joke. In 2023, Costco recalled Ellenos Vanilla Bean Greek Yogurt due to undeclared egg allergens. While not a canned product, this highlights a broader safety concern that applies to canned goods too: incorrect or missing allergen information. For someone with severe food allergies, this kind of mistake can be life-threatening. Canned products often contain multiple ingredients, and manufacturing mix-ups can introduce allergens that aren’t listed on the label. People with allergies rely completely on accurate labeling to stay safe.
When shopping for canned goods at Costco, be extra cautious if you or someone in your family has food allergies. Even trusted brands can have labeling errors. Look carefully at ingredient lists, especially on new or unfamiliar products, and watch for any “may contain” warnings. Pay special attention to canned soups, stews, and prepared meals, which tend to have more complex ingredient lists with greater potential for undeclared allergens. If you notice ingredients that seem out of place or inconsistent with previous purchases of the same product, it might be best to choose something else. Your health is worth more than saving a few dollars on bulk purchases.
Products with expired or near-expiry dates
One mistake many Costco shoppers make is assuming that because they’re buying in bulk, they’ll have plenty of time to use the products. But canned goods at Costco don’t always have the longest shelf life remaining when they hit the sales floor. In some cases, you might find products with just months left before their expiration dates. This becomes a problem when you’re buying multiple cans that you can’t possibly use before they expire. Contrary to popular belief, canned goods don’t last forever – their quality deteriorates over time, and safety can become an issue, especially with acidic foods like tomatoes.
Always check the expiration or “best by” dates when shopping for canned goods at Costco. This is particularly important for items you don’t use frequently. Look for dates stamped on the bottom or top of cans, and don’t be shy about reaching toward the back of the shelf where newer stock might be placed. Remember that while some canned goods might be safe to eat shortly after their expiration date, the quality and nutritional value will have declined. Costco’s food safety program is generally excellent, but even they can’t control how long products sit in your pantry after purchase.
Safer bets: simple single-ingredient canned goods
After reading about all these potential issues, you might be wondering if there’s anything safe to buy in Costco’s canned goods section. The good news is yes – there are plenty of options that tend to have better safety records. As a general rule, simple canned goods with single ingredients are less likely to have safety issues. Plain canned vegetables like corn, green beans, and carrots have fewer ingredients to cause problems and simpler processing requirements. These products typically undergo straightforward canning procedures with fewer opportunities for manufacturing errors.
Plain canned fruits in water or juice (not syrup, which can hide off-tastes) are also generally safer choices. When shopping for canned goods at Costco, try to stick with well-established brands with good safety records. Costco’s own Kirkland Signature line is generally reliable, though as we’ve seen, even they have occasional recalls. The most important thing is to use your senses – if something looks, smells, or tastes off, don’t eat it, even if it’s within the expiration date. And remember that Costco has an excellent return policy, so don’t hesitate to bring back any canned goods that seem questionable after you get them home. Better safe than sorry when it comes to food safety.
Next time you’re loading up your cart at Costco, keep these rankings in mind. The wholesale giant generally does a great job with food safety, but no system is perfect. By avoiding the most problematic canned goods and knowing what to look for, you can enjoy the benefits of buying in bulk without putting your family’s health at risk. Remember – a good deal isn’t really a good deal if it makes you sick!
