Make sure to check your refrigerator because some eggs recalled by Costco may still be chilling in there.

The Kirkland Signature Organic Pasture Raised eggs were recalled Nov. 27 by producer Handsome Brook Farms of New York because they could be contaminated with salmonella, the Food and Drug Administration said at the time.

In all, the recall covered 10,800 cartons of Organic Pasture Raised 24-Count Eggs, sold in 25 Costco stores in five states. Handsome Brook Farms initiated the recall because "eggs not intended for retail distribution were instead packaged and distributed in retail packaging," the company said in a news release.

The FDA later classified the situation as a Class I recall, the highest risk level for infection, suggesting "a reasonable probability" that a recalled product "will cause serious adverse health consequences or death."

No illnesses have been reported in connection with the recalled products.

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What eggs sold at Costco were recalled?

The eggs recalled were Organic Pasture Raised 24-Count Eggs sold at Costco stores. The eggs are packaged in plastic egg cartons with the Kirkland Signature label on the top and have the UPC code 9661910680.

Where were recalled eggs sold?

The Kirkland Signature Organic Pasture Raised 24-Count Eggs were sold at 25 Costco stores in these states:

• Alabama
• Georgia
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Tennessee

Could recalled eggs still be in fridges?

Yes, because even though they were sold beginning on Nov. 22, 2024, they carried a use-by date of Jan. 5, 2025.

The eggs should not be eaten and should be thrown away or returned to Costco for a full refund. Consumers with any questions can call 888-877-7221 Sunday-Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. 

What is a Class I recall from the FDA?

The FDA can order a recall, request a company issue one or can announce one conducted, as in this case, by the company itself. The FDA defines various levels of recalls on its website:

• Class I recall: Issued when there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to the product "will cause serious adverse health consequences or death."
• Class II recall: Issued when the product "may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote."
• Class III recall: Issued when a product "is not likely to cause adverse health consequences."
• Market withdrawal: This action covers minor violations not subject to FDA legal action, when "the firm removes the product from the market or corrects the violation. For example, a product removed from the market due to tampering, without evidence of manufacturing or distribution problems, would be a market withdrawal."
• Medical device safety alert: This alert is "issued in situations where a medical device may present an unreasonable risk of substantial harm. In some case, these situations also are considered recalls."

What is salmonella?

Salmonella is a bacteria and – as one of the leading causes of foodborne illnesses – can cause people to experience diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. Symptoms can appear between six hours and six days of infection and will last for four to seven days, the CDC said. 

Children younger than 5, the elderly and people who are immunosuppressed are more likely to have severe infections if they contract salmonella, the FDA said. 

Salmonella causes about 1.35 million illnesses, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths in the U.S. annually, according to the CDC.

Contributing: James Powel and Ahjané Forbes

Follow Mike Snider on Threads, Bluesky and X: mikegsnider & @mikegsnider.bsky.social &@mikesnider.

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