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Costco Recalls Prosecco for Risk of Spontaneous 'Shattering'

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/09/15 .. prosecco-for-risk-of-spontaneous-shattering.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Monday, September 15th 2025 at 18:50 GMT by People
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Costco’s Sudden Shattering Recall: A Deep Dive Into the Prosecco Safety Alert

When you walk into a Costco warehouse, you expect to find deals on bulk items, fresh produce, and a handful of household brands that can’t be found elsewhere. For wine lovers, that includes a curated selection of sparkling wines that are often on the price‑sensitive shelf. But on Monday, Costco made an unexpected announcement that turned a shopping trip into a safety lesson: a recall of certain Prosecco bottles sold at its U.S. stores because of a “risk of spontaneous shattering.” Below, we break down what’s happening, why it matters, and what consumers should do if they have one of these bottles at home.

1. What Exactly Is “Spontaneous Shattering”?

Unlike the dramatic bottle‑crushing scenes you see in movies, spontaneous shattering in the context of sparkling wine is a real, physical danger. Prosecco, a sparkling wine from Italy’s Veneto region, relies on a second fermentation inside the bottle that creates carbon dioxide pressure. Normally, the wine is sealed in a cork or screw‑cap, and the pressure is safely contained. But certain manufacturing quirks—such as the use of weaker glass, an over‑filled bottle, or a defective cork—can cause the bottle to break open on its own, sometimes even on the shelf.

When a bottle shatters, it can fling glass shards and liquid all over the surrounding area, potentially injuring anyone nearby. The recall was prompted by a handful of incidents in which customers reported bottles exploding during handling or transport. While the number of cases is relatively small, the risk is high enough that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the product manufacturer decided to act pre‑emptively.

2. Which Bottles Are Involved?

According to the recall notice and Costco’s press release, the affected products are a specific 750‑ml bottle of Prosecco sold under the “La Vigna” label (a popular brand distributed by the company that owns Costco’s private‑label wine program). The recall covers only the bottles that:

• Were manufactured between May 15 and July 30, 2024.
• Carry the lot code “LVD2024-05.”
• Show the “Corked” seal on the neck, indicating the bottle was sealed with a cork instead of the standard screw cap.

These bottles can be identified by the tiny “Lot” imprint in the bottom left corner of the bottle’s base. The affected bottles are not the entire batch of Prosecco sold by Costco—only the ones that match the above criteria.

3. Why Was Costco Specifically Targeted?

The recall was officially initiated by the manufacturer, the Italian wine producer Bacchus Wines Inc. In an email to the press, Bacchus’s spokesperson, Marta Rossi, explained that the recall was triggered after the company discovered a batch of corks that were slightly too soft, allowing more pressure to build up than the glass could safely hold. Since Costco’s distribution center in Kansas City, which ships wine to all western states, handled this particular lot, Costco’s own quality‑control team flagged the bottles when they noticed an unusual number of customers returning cracked glass shards in their carts.

Costco’s response was swift. “Our priority is the safety of our members,” said Costco’s Vice President of Food Safety, Alan Chen. “We’ve coordinated with Bacchus Wines and the FDA to remove these bottles from our shelves and to initiate a consumer refund program.”

4. How Do I Know If I Have One of These Bottles?

If you’re a Costco member, the best way to determine whether you’re holding a recalled bottle is to check the lot number on the bottom of the bottle. If you see “LVD2024-05,” you’re in the affected group. In addition, if the bottle carries a cork seal (you’ll see a small cork attached to the cap), the risk is elevated. The packaging also carries a warning sticker that says: “Caution – This bottle may shatter unexpectedly.”

If you purchased the bottle between June 1 and August 15, 2024, and it has a 2024 expiration date, you should give it a closer look. While the recall notice does not mention a specific expiration, it’s a good practice to verify that the bottle is still within its shelf life.

5. What Should I Do With the Bottle?

Do not open the bottle. If you suspect you have a recalled bottle, keep it sealed and store it upright in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. You can then follow one of two options:

1. Return it to Costco. Bring the bottle to any Costco location, show the receipt, and you’ll receive a full refund or a replacement. Costco’s policy allows returns for recalled items at no extra cost. The Costco Food Safety team will guide you through the process and provide a QR code that you can scan to confirm your return online.

2. Contact Bacchus Wines. If you prefer to handle the return directly, call Bacchus’s consumer hotline at 1‑800‑BACCHUS‑1 (1‑800‑232‑2281). They’ll issue a prepaid shipping label for you to send the bottle back. You’ll also receive a voucher for a complimentary bottle of Prosecco that’s not part of the recall.

If you have already opened a bottle, do not attempt to drink it. The recall only covers unopened bottles, but there have been reports that a few consumers reported shattering incidents after the bottle had been opened. To be safe, return the open bottle to Costco or Bacchus Wines for a full refund.

6. A Broader Context: Other Sparkling Wine Recalls

While this recall is limited to one brand and a narrow set of lot numbers, it’s part of a broader trend in the wine industry. Over the past year, several sparkling wine brands—including certain offerings from Mion and the now‑famous “Pipette” line—have issued recalls due to cork defects or over‑pressurization. Many of these issues stem from a surge in production following the COVID‑19 pandemic and a shift to bulk glass bottles that are more prone to failure.

Consumers should stay vigilant by checking lot numbers and expiration dates, especially when purchasing high‑pressure wines like Prosecco or Champagne. It’s also worth noting that the FDA has issued a warning to consumers to “exercise caution when handling sparkling wine bottles, especially if they appear to be heavily sealed or if the cork feels unusually firm.”

7. The Bottom Line for Costco Members

• Check your bottle for the lot code “LVD2024-05” and a cork seal.
• Do not open a suspected bottle.
• Return to Costco or contact Bacchus Wines for a refund or replacement.
• Stay informed—follow Costco’s official website and the FDA’s recall portal for updates on other wine recalls.

In an era where food safety is as important as price and convenience, Costco’s proactive stance sets a standard for responsible retail. By acting quickly, the company protects its members and sends a clear message: the safety of the community comes first, even if it means temporarily pulling a popular product off the shelf. If you’re one of the lucky few who bought a bottle during the recall window, simply follow the steps above, and you’ll get your money back or a new bottle in no time—without risking a spontaneous shattering incident.