Possible Fecal Contamination Sparks Butter Recall Across the Northeast
An old-fashioned breakfast staple has run into a new problem — Cabot Creamery’s popular Extra Creamy Premium Butter, Sea Salted (8oz), usually found on kitchen tables across New England, is being urgently pulled off shelves in seven states due to concerns about possible fecal contamination. The move comes after routine testing flagged elevated levels of coliform bacteria in one batch, a clear sign the butter could have been exposed to unsanitary conditions during production.
If you live in Arkansas, Connecticut, Maine, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Hampshire, or New York and picked up this butter within the past few weeks, take a second look in your fridge. The product in question carries a 'best by' date of September 9, 2025. Health officials say the batch linked to the recall was fairly small, with just 17 packages sold into consumer hands, but the scare spread quickly, leading to the recall of 189 cases—more than 1,700 pounds of butter in total. The move is a reminder of how fast the food supply chain moves and how quickly a single slip can have major ripple effects.
What Does a Class III Recall Really Mean for Consumers?
The FDA put this butter recall in its Class III category. That might sound alarming, but it actually means the risk to public health is low — at least according to federal standards. Typically, Class III recalls are reserved for scenarios where the likelihood of serious health consequences is slim. Still, for anyone who’s had food poisoning, even the chance of it is enough to say “no thanks.” So far, nobody has reported any illness tied to the butter in question, but that doesn’t mean consumers shouldn’t be cautious.
The main red flag here is the presence of coliform bacteria. These bacteria are a group that includes E. coli and others found in the gut of humans and animals. While not all coliforms are dangerous, they’re considered a sign that fecal matter may have come into contact with the food. For most healthy people, eating something contaminated could lead to stomach issues like cramps or diarrhea, but young kids, elderly folks, or those with weaker immune systems face higher risk.
Agri-Mark, the cooperative that owns Cabot Creamery, responded by saying the contamination was isolated to a single production batch and got handled quickly. According to the company, internal protocols kicked in right away, keeping the affected butter limited to just 17 individual packages that actually made it to store shelves, though the recall covers the full batch as a safety measure.
If you’ve got the recalled butter at home, health officials urge you not to take any chances: bring it back to the store for a refund or just toss it out. The warning goes for anyone who might have shared it — whether at a weekend brunch or a holiday gathering. Double-check the packaging for the 'best by' date of September 9, 2025, and if it matches, don’t eat it.
This recall shows how even trusted brands can run into issues as they juggle production, quality checks, and sometimes, just plain bad luck. With food safety top of mind, watchdogs are likely to keep a closer eye on dairy producers moving forward, especially when it comes to staple items like butter recall concerns. For now, butter lovers might want to skim labels a little closer until the shelves are all clear.
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