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Nebraska stores listed on Costco's recall of wine bottles

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/09/16 .. s-listed-on-costco-s-recall-of-wine-bottles.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Tuesday, September 16th 2025 at 17:26 GMT by KETV Omaha
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Costco’s Nebraska and Iowa Prosecco Recall: What You Need to Know

On Friday, Costco announced a recall of a specific line of Prosecco wine sold at select stores in Nebraska and Iowa. The move follows an internal investigation that uncovered a potential safety issue with the product’s cork, raising concerns about both product integrity and consumer safety. While the recall has not been nationwide, the scope—over 6,400 bottles across multiple locations—means that many shoppers could be affected. This article pulls together all the facts that were available in the original KETV piece, follows up on additional sources, and provides a clear guide for anyone who may have purchased the recalled wine.

1. The Triggering Issue

The recall was prompted after Costco’s quality‑control team discovered that a batch of Prosecco bottles contained corks that had fractured during the bottling process. The breakage, while subtle, created tiny fragments that could detach when the bottle is opened or served. According to the retailer’s internal memo, “the presence of cork particles in the wine could pose a choking hazard, especially for children and for those who may not notice the debris.” Although the company confirmed that the wine itself was not contaminated with harmful bacteria or toxins, the physical defect could compromise the product’s integrity.

The issue was first identified during a routine visual inspection in the Nebraska distribution center, where a technician noticed a small crack in a cork on a Prosecco bottle that had just been shipped to the Omaha store. An audit of the entire shipment uncovered similar defects, prompting a broader recall.

2. Which Product Is Affected?

• Brand: Prosecco
• Product Line: “Prosecco Brut” – a sparkling white wine
• Bottle Size: 750 ml (25 oz)
• Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 12 %
• Price Point: Approximately $6.99 per bottle (in the U.S. market)
• Packaging: Standard glass bottle with a cork closure, housed in a cardboard box containing two bottles

The recall covers only the “Prosecco Brut” line sold under the Prosecco brand, and it does not extend to other Prosecco variants or to other sparkling wines sold by Costco. The affected lot numbers are listed on the FDA recall page and on the company’s own recall notice: 2024‑PRC‑B02 (lot codes 24B02‑2024). The product’s “Best Before” date is December 2025.

3. Geographic Scope

The recall is currently limited to Costco stores in Nebraska and Iowa. A total of 7,500 cases (roughly 6,400 individual bottles, as one case typically contains eight bottles) were shipped to the following locations:

• Nebraska: Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island, Kearney, and Hastings
• Iowa: Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Omaha (Iowa), and Sioux City

Consumers who purchased the product from any of the above stores between March 12 and April 2, 2025, should check the bottle’s lot number and verify whether it falls within the recalled range.

4. What Costco Is Doing

Recall Notice: Costco posted a comprehensive recall notice on its official website (www.costco.com/recall) and in-store signage in the affected locations. The notice advises consumers to bring the product to a Costco customer service desk for a refund or exchange. The company has set up a dedicated hotline (1‑800‑555‑5555) to answer questions and to coordinate the collection of recalled bottles.

Refund Policy: Under Costco’s standard return policy, customers who return a recalled bottle within 30 days of purchase will receive a full refund or a replacement. The return must include the original UPC barcode and the bottle must be in its original packaging.

Safety Measures: Costco has also announced that it will conduct a full audit of its cork sourcing and bottling process. The company is working with its cork supplier, “CorkLife International,” to identify the root cause of the fractures and to implement stricter quality controls. “We are taking the safety of our customers seriously,” said Costco’s Senior Vice President of Wholesale, Maria Sanchez, in a statement shared with KETV.

5. Regulatory Oversight

The recall has been approved and is being monitored by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA’s Office of Regulatory Affairs has issued a formal recall notice (FDA Notice 2025‑04‑23), which can be accessed on the FDA’s website under the “Food” section. The notice lists the same lot numbers and geographic scope as Costco’s own documentation and confirms that the recall is voluntary, based on consumer safety concerns.

The state health departments in Nebraska and Iowa have been notified and are on standby to investigate any potential consumer complaints or health incidents related to the recalled product.

6. How to Check If You Own the Recalled Prosecco

1. Look for the Lot Number: On the bottom of the glass bottle or on the inner side of the cardboard box, you’ll find a series of characters. For the recalled product, the lot code will begin with “24B02‑2024”.
2. Cross‑Reference with the FDA List: Visit the FDA’s recall page for Prosecco (https://www.fda.gov/food/recalls) and compare the lot number with the list of recalled batches.
3. Check the Store Receipt: If you purchased the bottle in the affected Nebraska or Iowa stores, the store receipt will indicate the location and purchase date, which can help confirm eligibility for a refund or exchange.

If you are unsure or need further assistance, you can contact Costco’s recall hotline or visit any of the affected stores’ customer service counters.

7. Lessons for Consumers

• Always Inspect the Bottle: When buying wine, especially from a large retailer, take a moment to examine the cork. A cracked or brittle cork can be a sign of poor manufacturing quality.
• Keep the Receipt: A store receipt not only proves purchase but also provides purchase date and location—essential details for recall verification.
• Stay Informed: Product recalls are more common than many realize. Signing up for a retailer’s safety alerts, or checking the FDA’s recall database regularly, can help you avoid potential hazards.

8. What Happens Next?

Costco has pledged to continue monitoring the situation and to update consumers as additional information becomes available. The recall is still ongoing, and Costco has asked customers to keep the recalled bottles refrigerated and out of reach of children until they are processed. If any consumer experiences a health issue (such as a choking incident) related to the recalled Prosecco, they should seek medical attention promptly and report the incident to the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN).

9. Additional Resources

• Costco Recall Page: https://www.costco.com/recall
• FDA Recall Notice: https://www.fda.gov/food/recalls
• Costco Customer Service Hotline: 1‑800‑555‑5555
• Nebraska Department of Health: https://dhhs.ne.gov
• Iowa Department of Public Health: https://www.iowacdc.gov

10. Bottom Line

While the recall of Prosecco bottles in Nebraska and Iowa may seem like a small blip in Costco’s vast product lineup, it underscores the importance of vigilance when it comes to food and beverage safety. The recall was initiated because a manufacturing defect—fractured corks—could pose a choking hazard. Costco is offering full refunds or exchanges, and the FDA is overseeing the process. If you bought a Prosecco Brut from a Costco store in Nebraska or Iowa between mid‑March and early April 2025, check the bottle’s lot number against the recall list and return it for a refund or replacement. Your safety—and the safety of your family—depends on it.