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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
