Butter Recall: 1,700 Pounds of Butter Recalled for Possible Contamination with Fecal Bacteria

If you have any baking projects planned this week, you might want to double-check your fridge before getting started. Cabot Creamery recalled 1,701 pounds of its butter sticks for possible contamination with coliform, a bacteria present in human and animal waste. The recall is only for salted butter, so your unsalted butter sticks are still safe to use.

What caused the recall?

Cabot Creamery received at least two reports of elevated coliform in their Extra Creamy Premium Butter sticks. Coliform is a bacteria that is found in the intestines of humans and animals and therefore can show up in excrement, according to the New York State Department of Health.

But the reason why the presence of coliform in this butter is an issue is a little more complicated—and a little less gross—than you think. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that coliform is not necessarily harmful for human consumption. But it is a good indicator that the treatment systems the product went through before hitting store shelves aren’t up to par.

For example, the EPA might find coliform in a water sample, and that indicates a potential issue with the water treatment system somewhere along the line. The coliform shouldn’t be in the water, so they need to figure out how it got there.

So, yes, technically coliform can indicate the presence of fecal matter contamination. But what it really tells us is that this butter may have had hygiene issues during the manufacturing process. And this is important, because if coliform is present, it could also mean that there is a higher risk for more serious bacteria, like E. coli or salmonella, to be present.

What stores sold the butter?

The butter was manufactured at Agri-Mark, Inc. in Vermont and distributed for sale in seven states: Arkansas, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont.

We don’t have the names of any specific retailers, so if you live in one of these seven states, you’ll need to check your butter regardless of where you purchased it.

How do I know if I have recalled butter?

The recalled butter is Cabot Creamery Extra Creamy Premium Butter, Sea Salted. Check the butter in your fridge and in your freezer if you store butter there. Here’s all the important information to look for:

Cabot Creamery Extra Creamy Premium Butter, Sea Salted

• Size: 8-ounce package, two 4-ounce sticks in a cardboard shell
• Lot number: 090925-055
• Item number: 2038
• UPC: 0 78354 62038 0
• Best-by date: September 9, 2025

What should I do next?

If you own any of the recalled butter, do not consume it, even if it does not appear to be contaminated. Throw the butter out, or return it to the store you purchased it from. If you have consumed the product and feel ill, please seek medical attention.