- Date of Recall: March 26, 2025
- Company: Agri-Mark Inc. (makers of Cabot Creamery products)
- Product: Cabot Creamery Extra Creamy Premium Butter, Sea Salted
- Issue: Elevated levels of coliform bacteria
- Product Details: 8oz butter (2x 4oz sticks), sold in cardboard shells
- What To Do: Don’t eat, sell, or distribute. Check your labels!
Stick around to find out more about this recall—shall we learn more about this?
What happened?
On March 26, 2025, Agri-Mark Inc., the parent company behind Cabot Creamery, issued a voluntary Class III recall for 189 cases of its 8oz Extra Creamy Premium Butter, Sea Salted. The reason? Elevated levels of coliform bacteria—not exactly the creamy spread you were hoping for.
The butter, packaged as two 4oz sticks in a cardboard shell, was distributed across Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Maine, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Arkansas. The recall was triggered after internal testing flagged the contamination.
Breakdown of the product specifics:
Brand | Product | Size | UPC | Best By Date | Issue |
Cabot Creamery | Extra Creamy Premium Butter, Sea Salted | 8oz | 0 78354 62038 0 | 09/09/2025 | Elevated coliform levels |
What caused the issue?
Coliforms are a broad group of bacteria found in the environment, including in soil, water, plants, and the intestines of warm-blooded animals. While not all coliforms are harmful themselves, their presence in food at elevated levels signals potential unsanitary conditions—think poor equipment cleaning, improper handling, or possible contamination with other harmful microorganisms.
In this case, the elevated coliform levels in Cabot Creamery’s Sea Salted Extra Creamy Butter triggered a Class III recall. This class means low risk of serious health consequences, but it’s still serious enough to warrant pulling the product from shelves.
What are the risks?
- Mild digestive issues: nausea, diarrhea, bloating, stomach cramps
- Groups most at risk:
- Children under 5
- Elderly adults
- Pregnant individuals
- People with weakened immune systems (e.g., those with chronic illnesses, post-surgery patients)
- No illnesses have been reported as of now, but consuming products contaminated with coliform bacteria could still lead to unpleasant symptoms—and who wants that from butter?
10 common questions you may have
To clear the air (and the fridge), here are the most common questions concerned customers might ask—and how to answer them:
1. What are coliform bacteria?
Coliforms are bacteria commonly found in the environment and in the intestines of humans and animals. They’re used as an indicator of food or water contamination.
2. Is coliform contamination dangerous?
While not typically harmful on their own, high levels of coliforms may indicate poor sanitation or presence of other harmful bacteria like E. coli.
3. Can I get sick from eating the recalled butter?
Possibly. Most healthy people may only experience mild digestive upset, but vulnerable groups could face more serious symptoms.
4. What symptoms should I watch for?
Look out for nausea, bloating, diarrhea, stomach pain, or cramps—especially within a few hours of consuming the butter.
5. What should I do if I ate the recalled butter?
If you’re feeling fine, no action is usually needed. If you have symptoms or are in a high-risk group, contact your healthcare provider.
6. How did the contamination happen?
It’s likely due to equipment issues, handling errors, or insufficient processing hygiene. Elevated coliform levels point to a breakdown in sanitation.
7. Is this a one-time issue or a recurring problem?
Cabot Creamery hasn’t had frequent recalls, and they’ve acted quickly. But it underscores the importance of consistent quality control.
8. How can I tell if I have the recalled butter?
Check the label for:
- UPC: 0 78354 62038 0
- Lot: 090925-055
- Best By: 09/09/25
- Item #: 2038
9. Can I return the butter?
Yes. Most stores will accept returns for recalled items. You can also call Cabot Creamery directly for more information.
10. How do I know other products are safe?
Companies test products regularly and issue recalls like this as a precaution. Still, always check recalls and source from reliable suppliers.
Here’s what you should do
Not sure if you’ve got the buttery offender chilling in your fridge? Here’s how to find out:
- Check the label for:
- UPC: 0 78354 62038 0
- Best By: 09/09/25
- Lot: 090925-055
- Item #: 2038
- Do NOT consume it.
- Distributors & retailers: pull it from shelves immediately.
- Consumers: discard or return to the point of purchase.
- Questions? Contact Cabot Creamery at 1-800-XXX-XXXX for support.
Behind the brand
Cabot Creamery, a well-known name in dairy products and co-op farming, prides itself on high standards and quality ingredients. While the company doesn’t have a frequent flyer card in the recall department, this isn’t the first recall related to contamination.
Similar recalls have cropped up in these past months. For example:
- On March 4, 2025, Willow Marsh Farm, a New York-based dairy, issued a voluntary recall of its unpasteurized raw milk after testing positive for Listeria monocytogenes.
- On February 7, 2025, Tri-Union Seafoods recalled select lots of canned tuna under the Genova, Van Camp’s, H-E-B, and Trader Joe’s brand names due to a potential risk of botulism, a serious foodborne illness.
“Food safety goes beyond checking boxes—it’s about safeguarding people and earning trust. Even with lower-risk items like butter, companies must stay vigilant with thorough testing and sanitation. Building a strong culture of safety isn’t just a best practice—it’s a must for staying competitive and credible in today’s food industry.” – Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86
Recalls happen—even to big brands. The key is how companies respond, and so far, Cabot is doing the right thing by acting swiftly and transparently.
Ensuring safe eats
This butter-based recall might seem like small curds in the grand dairy scheme, but it’s a big reminder: cleanliness and quality control in bulk food manufacturing and co-manufacturing is non-negotiable.
Key industry takeaways:
- Coliform presence = early warning system for deeper issues
- Routine microbial testing is crucial for producers and co-packers
- Traceability matters—especially in wholesale and private label operations
- Communication with buyers during recalls can make or break brand trust
Bottom line? The food supply chain—from manufacturer to retailer—needs to keep sanitation and transparency top of mind. One contaminated stick of butter may not seem like a big deal, but it can quickly melt away consumer confidence.
Need help sourcing clean, compliant ingredients for your next product line? Let’s talk! At Source86, we believe great taste starts with safe, high-quality ingredients. Reach out to our team today and keep your production line butter-smooth.
