On September 19, 2025, Costco announced a recall for one of its widely available ready-to-eat products, Fresh Ahi Wasabi Poke. This item, typically found in the store’s refrigerated section, has been flagged due to health concerns related to potential contamination. The recall comes shortly after another involving Kirkland Signature Prosecco, which was pulled due to the risk of spontaneous shattering.
The Healthy reports that the recall centers on a food product that could pose a serious health risk to consumers, particularly if consumed. Below, we break down the key details that Costco members should be aware of regarding this recall.
The Problem: Potential Listeria Contamination in Green Onions
The recall involves Fresh Ahi Wasabi Poke, a high-protein dish typically found in Costco’s chilled cases. According to Costco’s recall notice, the poke was sold in stores on September 18, 2025, and the reason for the recall is the potential contamination of the product with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that can thrive in cold temperatures.
Listeria is a significant concern in ready-to-eat foods because it can grow even when the product is refrigerated, unlike many other bacteria that are killed during cooking.
Specifically, the contamination appears to have come from the green onions used in the poke. Listeria monocytogenes can lead to severe illness, particularly in vulnerable populations like pregnant women, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
Symptoms of a Listeria infection can include fever, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal distress, and in some cases, it can lead to severe complications, such as miscarriage or meningitis.
Who is Responsible for the Product?
The Fresh Ahi Wasabi Poke is distributed by Western United Fish Company, operating under the name Annasea Foods Group. This company is based in the Seattle region, just like Costco itself, which is headquartered in Issaquah, Washington.
It is important to note that, while Costco has been proactive in issuing the recall, the actual contamination is tied to the green onions used in the product, which were supplied by Annasea Foods Group.
What Costco Members Should Do Now
If you purchased Fresh Ahi Wasabi Poke on September 18, 2025, Costco is advising customers to immediately stop using the product and dispose of it. They also recommend that affected customers visit their local Costco for a full refund.
This recall specifically impacts poke sold on that one day, so if you purchased the product on any other date, you should be in the clear.
For further clarification, Costco members with questions have been instructed to contact the distributor. However, when we attempted to reach Western United Fish Company, we were met with a voicemail indicating their offices were closed.
Still, Costco is likely to have contacted affected customers directly, so be sure to check your inbox for any notifications or recall notices.
Why Listeria in Ready-to-Eat Foods is a Serious Concern
The recall highlights a critical issue in food safety, especially when it comes to products that don’t undergo further cooking before consumption. As mentioned earlier, Listeria can grow in cold environments, making it particularly dangerous in ready-to-eat items like poke and prepackaged salads.
Because of the way it thrives in refrigerated conditions, even items that seem safe may become contaminated if proper precautions aren’t taken at every step of the supply chain.
It’s not just poke that’s been impacted recently by food safety concerns. In a separate but related incident, nearly 50,000 bottles of salad dressing were recalled across 25 states after receiving the FDA’s highest warning level.
This is a reminder that food recalls, while necessary for public safety, are a fairly common occurrence, and it’s important for consumers to stay informed and check for any product safety notices before making purchases.
