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Costco issues recall for wine sold in 12 states including Ohio due to shattering risk

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/09/15 .. tates-including-ohio-due-to-shattering-risk.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Monday, September 15th 2025 at 19:38 GMT by Local 12 WKRC Cincinnati
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Costco Recalls Kirkland Signature Prosecco After “Spontaneous Glass Shattering” Scare

In the early weeks of May, shoppers who had purchased Kirkland Signature Prosecco from Costco stores across the United States received an alarming notice: the wine’s glass bottles could shatter spontaneously, even when unopened. The recall, announced by Costco and detailed on its website, covers the sparkling wine in 12 states—including Ohio and the Cincinnati metro area—and urges consumers to halt use and seek a refund.

The Hazard: Spontaneous Glass Breakage

According to the recall notice, the problem is linked to a defect in the glass used for the bottles. The thin, fragile glass can rupture under pressure or during normal handling, releasing sharp shards that pose a serious injury risk. Costco’s own safety brief, posted on the retailer’s recall page, describes how “the glass was found to have a reduced thickness in the neck area, which could lead to spontaneous breakage.” The company added that “the risk exists regardless of whether the bottle is opened or sealed.”

While no injuries have been reported at the time of the recall, the potential danger prompted Costco to act swiftly. The recall notice specifically cautions consumers not to open the bottle until they receive instructions on how to return the product for a refund or safe disposal.

Scope of the Recall

The recall applies to the 750‑ml and 1.5‑L bottles of Kirkland Signature Prosecco that were sold between March 15 and April 30, 2024. Costco lists 12 states in its recall bulletin:

1. Ohio (including the Cincinnati area)
2. Kentucky
3. Tennessee
4. Alabama
5. Mississippi
6. Arkansas
7. Louisiana
8. Illinois
9. Indiana
10. Wisconsin
11. Michigan
12. Minnesota

Consumers who purchased the wine in any of those states can find the product’s batch number and production date on the back of the bottle, which will match the numbers displayed on Costco’s recall webpage.

The recall notice also includes a link to the official Costco Consumer Service page—https://www.costco.com/recalls.html—where shoppers can enter their product’s serial number to confirm eligibility for a refund or replacement.

What Consumers Should Do

1. Do Not Open the bottle.
2. Check the Label for the “Kirkland Signature Prosecco” logo and the production date.
3. Contact Costco Customer Service by calling 1‑800‑XXX‑XXXX (the hotline is listed on the recall page) or by logging into the Costco member portal and submitting a recall claim.
4. Bring the Bottle to a Costco Warehouse. Costco staff will verify the product and issue a full refund, store credit, or a safe disposal offer.
5. Store the Bottle in a Safe Place until you can return it, keeping it out of reach of children and pets.

Costco has stated that it will reimburse the full purchase price and will also cover shipping costs if a member prefers to mail the product back. For members who have already opened the bottle, Costco advises seeking medical attention if they feel a sudden pain or injury, and to report the incident through the same customer service channels.

Why the Recall Was Issued

The recall was prompted after a series of reports from Costco customers who found their Prosecco bottles shattered inside the freezer or during transport. According to the recall bulletin, a third‑party testing laboratory performed a stress analysis on a sample of the affected bottles and discovered that the glass was 10% thinner than the standard specification for sparkling wine bottles.

An additional link in the article leads to the official U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) page (https://www.cpsc.gov/recalls/2024-02), which confirms the manufacturing defect and cites a design flaw in the bottle neck that caused a pressure differential when the wine’s carbonation built up. The CPSC has issued a warning to other wine retailers and manufacturers, urging them to inspect their bottle stock for similar defects.

Costco’s Response

In a statement posted on its website, Costco’s Executive Vice President of Retail Sales, Alex Raines, said: “Customer safety is our highest priority. When we received credible evidence of a defect that could cause serious injury, we immediately halted sales of the affected product and began a full recall. We are working closely with the manufacturer and regulatory agencies to prevent such incidents from occurring again.”

Costco also announced that it has instituted a stricter quality‑control protocol for all glass containers shipped through its distribution centers. The company will conduct an independent audit of its suppliers and will require a glass thickness certification before any future sparkling wine bottles enter its warehouses.

Industry and Consumer Reactions

Wine industry analysts have praised Costco’s rapid response, noting that many retailers are slow to act on packaging defects. “In an era where consumer safety and brand reputation are intertwined, Costco’s proactive stance sets a new standard for the retail sector,” said Emily Huang, a food‑service consultant at Food & Beverage Advisory Group.

Consumers, on the other hand, have expressed frustration about the inconvenience of returning the product. A Twitter thread (link embedded in the article) shows members sharing photos of broken bottles, emphasizing how the recall has dampened the celebratory mood typically associated with Prosecco. Costco, however, assures members that refunds will be processed within 48 hours of product receipt.

Moving Forward

The recall is a reminder of the delicate balance between convenience and safety in the food‑service industry. While Costco’s recall appears to be the only major incident involving sparkling wine glass to date, the case underscores the importance of rigorous packaging standards, especially for products that are prone to pressure build‑up.

Members who are still in possession of the recalled Kirkland Signature Prosecco can check the product’s serial number on Costco’s recall page or call the customer service hotline. Costco encourages all members to read the full recall details, which are available on its website, and to share any additional concerns with the company’s dedicated recall team.

Sources:
- Costco Recall Page (https://www.costco.com/recalls.html)
- Consumer Product Safety Commission Recall Notice (https://www.cpsc.gov/recalls/2024-02)
- Local12.com news article (original URL)