Latest news with #Kirkland-brand
New York Post
22-07-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Costco customers claim their milk doesn't spoil for weeks after expiration date — here's the surprising reason why
There's a reason Costco fans think the brand's milk is legendairy. People who buy their milk at the retail giant have noticed that the Kirkland-brand milk stays fresh longer than other brands — way past its sell-by date. 'I find that with Costco milk it isn't even spoiled a week after the expiration date most times,' one person wrote on the r/Costco subreddit page. Advertisement 3 People who buy their milk at Costco have noticed that the Kirkland-brand milk stays fresh longer than other brands. Getty Images 'I prefer Costco milk because it does last longer than anything else,' someone chimed in. This may be because Costco's milk undergoes more testing and quality control than what's required by government standards, according to Food & Wine. Advertisement All Grade A milk sold in the United States must meet the basic safety standards set by the Food and Drug Administration's Pasteurized Milk Ordinance. These safety standards include keeping the somatic cell count below 750,000 per milliliter, limiting total bacteria to fewer than 100,000 colonies, and chilling the milk to below 45°F within two hours of milking. Testing for the basic rules typically occurs once or twice per year, and most dairies meet these standards through standard practices. But Costco's inspections go above that. Advertisement 3 Suppliers that produce Kirkland-brand milk have to undergo surprise inspections at least once a year. andy – According to Costco's 2023 Food Safety & Quality Audit Expectations, suppliers that produce Kirkland-brand milk have to undergo surprise inspections at least once a year — and if the facility is in China, twice a year. Suppliers are expected to pass inspection — which covers both the farm and the milk processing plant — with zero critical issues. If the facility scores below 85%, it will be re-audited within 60 days. If a supplier skips the additional audit requirements, inspectors will return at the supplier's expense. Advertisement Every batch of Kirkland milk also has to go through a testing policy where 60 microbial tests are run before anything is shipped out, and if just one of those tests fails, the product doesn't go out. Additionally, the water used during processing is monitored more closely than required by the FDA. By federal standards, public water systems are tested annually for E. coli while private wells are checked each quarter. Costco, in an effort to keep its production error-free, rotates lead auditors every three years to avoid any carelessness and ensure that nothing goes unnoticed. The careful examination is likely the reason Costco milk tends to last a few days after its printed expiration date. 3 Costco's inspections go above what's required by federal standards. Bloomberg via Getty Images Cleaner milk from healthier herds that is processed under precise inspection generally lasts longer once it's jugged — especially when left unused for several days. Milk from herds with lesser somatic cell counts usually stays fresh longer, according to the Penn State Extension, so if your Kirkland milk is still good after a few days, that's likely due to the lower bacteria and cell counts that Costco verifies with its strict scrutiny. The practices ultimately lead to less food waste and customers saving money, not having to buy milk as often.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Surprising Reason Costco Milk Stays Fresh Way Past Its Sell-By Date
Want less grocery waste? You should be buying milk from Costco. If you're buying milk at Costco, you've likely noticed that the price looks a little different from your usual grocery store. Right now, a gallon of Kirkland Signature whole milk runs between $3.65 and $3.89, depending on the location of the bulk retailer. That's a decent difference from the national average of $4.03 per gallon, according to the June 2025 Consumer Price Index. It's not the least expensive milk you can buy, but in a year when food prices for some staples have swung wildly, it's still one of the more stable grocery deals. And unlike many private-label staples, the lower price doesn't mean sacrificing quality. Instead, Costco's milk may actually undergo more testing and quality control than many name brands you're familiar with. Under the FDA's Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, all Grade A milk sold in the United States must meet basic safety standards. This includes keeping somatic cell counts below 750,000 per milliliter, limiting total bacteria to fewer than 100,000 colonies, and chilling milk to below 45°F within two hours of milking. These rules are designed to prevent major lapses in food safety. Most dairies meet those marks through standard practices, and testing typically occurs once or twice a year, based on records and a few laboratory samples. Related: Why This Might Be Everyone's Favorite Italian Ingredient at Costco Costco, however, doesn't just settle for the required minimum. According to its 2023 Food Safety & Quality Audit Expectations, any supplier producing Kirkland-brand milk has to undergo surprise inspections at least once a year — or twice, if the facility is in China. These audits cover both the farm and the milk processing plant, and suppliers are expected to pass inspection with zero critical issues. If a facility scores below 85%, it faces re-auditing within 60 days. And if a supplier skips Costco's additional audit requirements, inspectors will return at the supplier's expense. There's also a testing policy for every batch of milk that will bear the Kirkland name: 60 microbial tests are run before anything ships out. If even one of those fails, the product is held back. Furthermore, water used during processing is monitored more closely than federal standards require. Public water systems are tested annually for E. coli, and private wells are checked each quarter. To keep its production precise, Costco rotates lead auditors every three years, bringing in new eyes to avoid complacency and make sure nothing slips through. That extra scrutiny may help explain why so many Costco shoppers swear the store's milk lasts longer. On the r/Costco subreddit, dozens of members share their own experiences. One redditor says, 'I find that with Costco milk it isn't even spoiled a week after the expiration date most times. Anyone else have this experience?' Another chimes in, saying, 'Yes. I prefer Costco milk because it does last longer than anything else.' It's not lab data, but it sounds like a pattern. Related: The Internet Loves These 7 Premade Meals From Costco, and You Will Too According to the Penn State Extension, milk from herds with lower somatic cell counts tends to stay fresher longer. If a dairy can keep its herd average below 200,000 cells per milliliter, that's considered top-tier quality. But if those numbers rise above 400,000, milk may spoil faster — and producers might even face penalties. The closer the milk is to that ideal range, the longer it tends to hold up once it lands in your fridge. Cleaner milk from healthier herds, processed under stricter controls, generally lasts longer in real-world conditions, especially when it's left unused for several days. If you find that Kirkland milk routinely outlasts its printed date by two to three days, that's likely thanks to lower bacteria and cell counts verified by each lot's extensive testing. That eventually translates to fewer spoiled jugs, savings for your wallet, and less overall waste. In a dairy industry built around scheduled inspections and spot checks, Costco's retailer-led model quietly raises the bar. Bulk pricing doesn't have to mean minimal oversight, and in this case, paying less might actually get you more. Read the original article on Food & Wine Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
I tracked where every item was from during my Costco trip and saw just how much the US relies on global trade
During my monthly Costco shopping trip, I kept track of where every item I purchased was from. Most produce was imported from Mexico and Central America, which have been hit with steep tariffs. Trump implemented a 90-day pause on the "reciprocal" tariffs announced in April. President Donald Trump's trade war has made shoppers, including me, pay closer attention to what they buy and where it's from. Trump's "reciprocal" tariffs on over 180 countries are expected to raise consumer prices on cars, electronics, and groceries. Some customers have begun following Mark Cuban's advice and stocking up on essentials before some tariffs take effect following a 90-day pause. On my latest Costco shopping trip, I tracked where every item I bought was from to see how much of my grocery list could be affected by tariffs. Take a look at my monthly Costco restock. I shop at Costco in New York City about once a month to stock up on groceries and household items. Manhattan's only Costco store is inside a larger shopping complex in East Harlem. The first thing I put in my cart was mini fruit bars from That's It, which are produced in the US with both American and imported ingredients. While the bars are made in the US, according to the company's website That's It sources ingredients from the US as well as countries with "reciprocal" tariffs, including Peru (10%), Mexico (25%), the Philippines (17%), India (26%), Belgium (20%), Madagascar (47%), and Canada (25%). The variety pack of 24 fruit bars costs $13.99. The KIND bars I bought also combined domestic and imported products. The box said the bars were made in the USA "with domestic and imported ingredients," while KIND's website says all KIND products are manufactured in Austria and Great Britain. KIND did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Austria is subject to the 20% tariff as it is part of the European Union, while the United Kingdom receives a 10% tariff. A box of 22 KIND bars costs $20. Kirkland's organic roasted seaweed snack was imported from South Korea, which Trump imposed a 25% tariff on. I like crushing seaweed in salmon bowls or just eating it as a snack. A package of 10 boxes of seaweed costs $10.99. Passion orange guava juice, also known as "POG," was produced in the US. I often use a splash of POG to flavor seltzer and smoothies. I bought two bottles, which cost $11.98. Costco's Kirkland-brand lemonade didn't say where it was produced, but Costco's US branch distributes it. Costco uses different suppliers for its various house-brand Kirkland Signature products. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding sourcing its lemonade. Two 3-quart bottles were priced at $6.29. Barilla's packaging said their pasta was "made in the USA with USA and imported ingredients." The pasta variety pack, which contained farfalle, elbow macaroni, and rotini for easy weeknight dinners, was priced at $9.49. Barilla didn't respond to a request for comment on where it imports its ingredients from. Nature's Path organic granola, which I like to mix into yogurt, was labeled "Product of the USA." "Nature's Path does not currently purchase any products internationally that would require 'product of…' labeling," Nature's Path wrote on their website. A 35.3-ounce bag of pumpkin seed and flax granola retailed for $8.99. This tomato medley was grown in Mexico and distributed by a Canadian company. Before his "Liberation Day" announcement, Trump had already imposed a 25% tariff on both countries. Mexico and Canada were not included in Trump's April list of "reciprocal" tariffs because he'd already announced a 25% tariff on all Mexican and Canadian goods that aren't compliant with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. The 2-pound package of tomatoes retailed for $7.99. Individual packets of mashed avocado were imported from Mexico. The package of 16 individual avocado cups costs $12.99. I most often use them to make avocado toast. The raspberries I added to my cart were another product of Mexico. The 12-ounce container retailed for $5.99. My favorite mini cucumbers were from Canada, which, like Mexico, had previously received a 25% tariff. The snack-sized cucumbers from Mucci Farms cost $5.99 for a 1.5-pound bag. The purple grapes Costco had in stock were from Chile, where Trump imposed a 10% tariff. Three pounds of purple grapes were priced at $7.49. Costco's bananas were imported from Ecuador, which was also hit with a 10% tariff. I bought two bunches, which totaled $3.98. The Kirkland organic frozen broccoli I bought came from Ecuador, as well. This pack of four microwavable 1-pound bags of frozen broccoli, priced at $9.49, makes it easy to prepare a side of vegetables for any meal quickly. I picked up a pineapple from Costa Rica, which was levied with a 10% tariff. The pineapple cost $3.99. Baby carrots were among the few produce items I added to my cart, grown in the US. The organic baby carrots came in two 32-ounce bags and cost $6.99. My go-to Pink Lady apples were grown in the US, as well. The 4-pound bag cost $6.49. A twin pack of Stroehmann Dutch Country whole wheat bread was baked in the US. Stroehmann is a subsidiary of Bimbo Bakeries USA, the largest commercial baking company in the US that also owns Sara Lee, Little Bites, and Entenmann's, among other brands. Two 24-ounce loaves cost $5.49. Nasoya tofu said it was made in the US with "100% North American soybeans," which could mean they're sourced from other North American countries. Nasoya did not immediately respond to an inquiry regarding sourcing its soybeans. I use extra-firm tofu as a meatless protein in numerous recipes in my rotation. Four packages of tofu came in a box and sold for $6.79. Costco's house brand of two-dozen cage-free large eggs was from the US. When I shopped at Costco in February, I had to rush to grab the last carton of eggs due to supply-chain issues amid the avian flu epidemic. Thankfully, the refrigerated section was stocked with an ample supply of eggs this time. The carton I bought cost $7.69. Lactaid lactose-free milk was American-made. I prefer buying lactose-free milk because it doesn't spoil as quickly. A gallon of Lactaid 2% milk costs $5.59. The only non-food items I bought were American-made Kleenex tissues and a bouquet grown in Colombia, subject to a 10% tariff. The tissues cost $21.49, and the flower bouquet costs $17.99. Out of the 23 items I purchased, at least 12 were imported or contained imported ingredients. I spent $218.28 on about a month's worth of groceries. Roughly half of my cart was full of items from countries subject to the new "reciprocal" tariffs, which shows me how far-reaching Trump's trade policies are and how much my grocery bill may increase. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
29-04-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
I tracked where every item was from during my Costco trip and saw just how much the US relies on global trade
During my monthly Costco shopping trip, I kept track of where every item I purchased was from. Most produce was imported from Mexico and Central America, which have been hit with steep tariffs. Trump implemented a 90-day pause on the "reciprocal" tariffs announced in April. President Donald Trump's trade war has made shoppers, including me, pay closer attention to what they buy and where it's from. Trump's "reciprocal" tariffs on over 180 countries are expected to raise consumer prices on cars, electronics, and groceries. Some customers have begun following Mark Cuban's advice and stocking up on essentials before some tariffs take effect following a 90-day pause. On my latest Costco shopping trip, I tracked where every item I bought was from to see how much of my grocery list could be affected by tariffs. Take a look at my monthly Costco restock. I shop at Costco in New York City about once a month to stock up on groceries and household items. The first thing I put in my cart was mini fruit bars from That's It, which are produced in the US with both American and imported ingredients. While the bars are made in the US, according to the company's website That's It sources ingredients from the US as well as countries with "reciprocal" tariffs, including Peru (10%), Mexico (25%), the Philippines (17%), India (26%), Belgium (20%), Madagascar (47%), and Canada (25%). The KIND bars I bought also combined domestic and imported products. The box said the bars were made in the USA "with domestic and imported ingredients," while KIND's website says all KIND products are manufactured in Austria and Great Britain. KIND did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Austria is subject to the 20% tariff as it is part of the European Union, while the United Kingdom receives a 10% tariff. A box of 22 KIND bars costs $20. Kirkland's organic roasted seaweed snack was imported from South Korea, which Trump imposed a 25% tariff on. Passion orange guava juice, also known as "POG," was produced in the US. Costco's Kirkland-brand lemonade didn't say where it was produced, but Costco's US branch distributes it. Barilla's packaging said their pasta was "made in the USA with USA and imported ingredients." The pasta variety pack, which contained farfalle, elbow macaroni, and rotini for easy weeknight dinners, was priced at $9.49. Nature's Path organic granola, which I like to mix into yogurt, was labeled "Product of the USA." "Nature's Path does not currently purchase any products internationally that would require 'product of…' labeling," Nature's Path wrote on their website. A 35.3-ounce bag of pumpkin seed and flax granola retailed for $8.99. This tomato medley was grown in Mexico and distributed by a Canadian company. Before his "Liberation Day" announcement, Trump had already imposed a 25% tariff on both countries. Mexico and Canada were not included in Trump's April list of "reciprocal" tariffs because he'd already announced a 25% tariff on all Mexican and Canadian goods that aren't compliant with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. The 2-pound package of tomatoes retailed for $7.99. Individual packets of mashed avocado were imported from Mexico. The package of 16 individual avocado cups costs $12.99. I most often use them to make avocado toast. The raspberries I added to my cart were another product of Mexico. The 12-ounce container retailed for $5.99. My favorite mini cucumbers were from Canada, which, like Mexico, had previously received a 25% tariff. The purple grapes Costco had in stock were from Chile, where Trump imposed a 10% tariff. Three pounds of purple grapes were priced at $7.49. Costco's bananas were imported from Ecuador, which was also hit with a 10% tariff. The Kirkland organic frozen broccoli I bought came from Ecuador, as well. This pack of four microwavable 1-pound bags of frozen broccoli, priced at $9.49, makes it easy to prepare a side of vegetables for any meal quickly. I picked up a pineapple from Costa Rica, which was levied with a 10% tariff. Baby carrots were among the few produce items I added to my cart, grown in the US. The organic baby carrots came in two 32-ounce bags and cost $6.99. My go-to Pink Lady apples were grown in the US, as well. A twin pack of Stroehmann Dutch Country whole wheat bread was baked in the US. Stroehmann is a subsidiary of Bimbo Bakeries USA, the largest commercial baking company in the US that also owns Sara Lee, Little Bites, and Entenmann's, among other brands. Two 24-ounce loaves cost $5.49. Nasoya tofu said it was made in the US with "100% North American soybeans," which could mean they're sourced from other North American countries. Nasoya did not immediately respond to an inquiry regarding sourcing its soybeans. I use extra-firm tofu as a meatless protein in numerous recipes in my rotation. Four packages of tofu came in a box and sold for $6.79. Costco's house brand of two-dozen cage-free large eggs was from the US. When I shopped at Costco in February, I had to rush to grab the last carton of eggs due to supply-chain issues amid the avian flu epidemic. Thankfully, the refrigerated section was stocked with an ample supply of eggs this time. The carton I bought cost $7.69. Lactaid lactose-free milk was American-made. The only non-food items I bought were American-made Kleenex tissues and a bouquet grown in Colombia, subject to a 10% tariff. Out of the 23 items I purchased, at least 12 were imported or contained imported ingredients. I spent $218.28 on about a month's worth of groceries. Roughly half of my cart was full of items from countries subject to the new "reciprocal" tariffs, which shows me how far-reaching Trump's trade policies are and how much my grocery bill may increase.
Daily Mail
25-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Shoppers spot Lululemon item dupe at Costco for $108 off… they even have the same zipper
Shoppers can save $108 on a Lululemon pants dupe at Costco. The Lululemon ABC 5 Pocket Pants are a beloved product which come in various sizes and colors. However, customers have to shell out $128 per pair at the athletic apparel retailer. The next best thing in shoppers' eyes is Costco's Kirkland Signature Men's 5-Pocket Performance Pant. Like the Lululemon bottoms, they come in various sizes and colors and have also received positive reviews from shoppers. Customers can snag one of the Kirkland-brand pants right now for only $20. 'When I held these two pairs of pants and inspected their construction, they looked almost identical,' wrote Alexander Aciman of the New York Times. Aciman managed to find some significant similarities between both pants, including their zippers. A substantial similarity is that both bottoms have a gusseted crotch, a small diamond-shaped patch replacing a traditional one that makes pants more comfortable to wear. Aciman pointed out that it can also help improve range in motion, which is convenient for flights or standing for 12 hours. 'The crotch is a defining feature of Lululemon's pants (ABC stands for Anti–Ball Crushing),' he revealed. 'The previous-generation Kirkland performance pants lacked this feature, and its inclusion in the latest version brings these pants much more in line with the ABC pants.' The shopper found that the Kirkland pants had the same kind of YKK zippers, a reinforced button, and seams sewn with about 11 to 12 stitches per inch. 'On most pants, this flat felled seam results in a flap of fabric inside the leg of the garment,' Aciman explained. 'Lululemon stitches this flap down, presumably for comfort; Kirkland's pants have the same sewn-down flap.' Geometric pattern similarities include watch pockets and a zippered back pocket that's 'too shallow for a regular-size wallet or a passport...,' according to the expert. But Aciman managed to tell the difference between the pants through their fabric. 'Lululemon's Warpstreme fabric is made from 53 percent elastomultiester and 47 percent recycled polyester, and Kirkland's is made from 74 percent polyester and 26 percent elastomultiester,' he said. 'That might sound similar, but the fabric is where Lululemon really sets itself apart.' Aciman admitted that he preferred the Lululemon fabric and claimed his Kirkland pants 'swished like old-school gym shorts.' Kirkland Signature Men's 5-Pocket Performance Pant No need to shell out the big bucks for Lululemon pants when you can pick up a lookalike pair from Costco for a fraction of the price. Beautifully designed to fit like a dream while providing all-day comfort coupled with peak performance, these bottoms are available blue, black, and grey. $15.99 Shop He insisted the Costco bottoms had a great design aesthetic and were comfortable to wear, but they still made him 'feel more like a schlub.' 'As a man who loves Costco, loves a deal, and has made a hobby of hunting down the factories that white-label clothing for designers, every fiber of my being wanted the Kirkland pants to be as good as or better than the Lululemon pants,' he said. 'My inherent skepticism of athleisure brands with flashy reputations left me with a hunger that could be sated only by the thought that a $20 pair of pants was just as good as pants retailing for six times that.' After weighing out the pros and cons, Aciman concluded that the pants were similar but 'definitely not the same.' Customers have been debating which pants are better for months on Reddit. 'Honestly thought the Kirklands were the Lulus at first,' a user wrote on a thread dedicated to the subject. 'Might just be my opinion but one thing I've found with Kirkland is that the cut just doesn't fit as nice and I can see it here too,' another customer wrote. 'It just looks a lot tighter and uncomfortable in the crotch area.' 'Costco definitely an option but I'll stick with my lulu. 'The difference is in the details,' another fan chimed in.
