Cabot Creamery recalls butter due to possible fecal contamination
Pranjal Chandra | Apr 10, 2025, 20:21 IST
( Image credit : TIL Creatives )
Cabot Creamery has voluntarily recalled a limited quantity of its Extra Creamy Premium Sea Salted Butter due to the presence of elevated coliform levels detected during routine testing. The recall affects only 17 retail packages sold in Vermont with a specific lot code and best-by date. Agri-Mark emphasizes that this action was taken out of caution, with no reported illnesses.
Cabot Creamery, a beloved name in dairy across the Northeast, has initiated a voluntary recall of a single lot of its Extra Creamy Premium Sea Salted Butter after routine testing revealed elevated levels of coliform bacteria a potential indicator of fecal contamination.
While no illnesses have been reported and the risk to public health remains low, the news has sparked questions around food safety, testing protocols, and transparency in the food production chain.
The recall, announced by Cabot's parent company Agri-Mark, involves just 17 retail packages—about 8.5 pounds—of the butter that were sold to consumers, all within the state of Vermont. The affected batch, identified as lot code 090925-055, carries a best-by date of September 9, 2025, and was part of a broader shipment of 189 cases totaling 1,700 pounds distributed across seven states: Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, and Arkansas.
Fortunately, Agri-Mark confirmed that 99.5% of the affected butter was successfully recovered before it reached consumers, thanks to internal quality control and distribution tracking systems. The company emphasized that the decision to recall the product was proactive and made “out of an abundance of caution.”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified the event as a Class III recall — a designation used for products that are “not likely to cause adverse health consequences.” Still, for a brand that prides itself on its farmer-owned roots and commitment to quality, the presence of coliform in one of its flagship products is not being taken lightly.
Coliform bacteria are a broad group of microbes found widely in the environment, including in soil, water, and vegetation — as well as in the feces of warm-blooded animals, including humans. While not all coliform bacteria are harmful, the presence of certain strains — especially fecal coliform or E. coli — can indicate unsanitary conditions and potential health risks.
According to the Vermont State Department of Health, coliform itself may not cause illness, but its detection in food products can suggest that other, more dangerous pathogens could be present if sanitation controls were inadequate.
In this case, there is no evidence of E. coli or any other harmful bacteria in the affected butter. The issue, experts say, lies more with consumer confidence than immediate danger.
For a cooperative like Cabot Creamery — which markets itself on farmer-owned values and high standards of quality — maintaining public trust is paramount. The company has long been associated with clean labeling, transparent sourcing, and sustainable practices.
In a statement, Agri-Mark emphasized the company's “strict testing protocols” and “swift action” in containing the affected lot. “Protecting our consumers is our top priority, and this recall demonstrates our commitment to food safety and integrity,” the company said.
If you purchased Cabot’s 8 oz. Extra Creamy Premium Butter, Sea Salted with the following identifiers, you should not consume it:
Consumers can contact Cabot Creamery for a refund or further information. The recall has not affected any other Cabot products.
While the risk in this instance is minimal, the recall serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between large-scale food production and public health. It also highlights the importance of transparency and accountability — values that, when upheld, can actually strengthen consumer trust rather than diminish it.
As food safety systems continue to evolve with advanced testing and tighter regulations, quick action — like in this case — can prevent potential harm and ensure that brands remain trusted staples on our shelves.
While no illnesses have been reported and the risk to public health remains low, the news has sparked questions around food safety, testing protocols, and transparency in the food production chain.
The recall, announced by Cabot's parent company Agri-Mark, involves just 17 retail packages—about 8.5 pounds—of the butter that were sold to consumers, all within the state of Vermont. The affected batch, identified as lot code 090925-055, carries a best-by date of September 9, 2025, and was part of a broader shipment of 189 cases totaling 1,700 pounds distributed across seven states: Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, and Arkansas.
Fortunately, Agri-Mark confirmed that 99.5% of the affected butter was successfully recovered before it reached consumers, thanks to internal quality control and distribution tracking systems. The company emphasized that the decision to recall the product was proactive and made “out of an abundance of caution.”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified the event as a Class III recall — a designation used for products that are “not likely to cause adverse health consequences.” Still, for a brand that prides itself on its farmer-owned roots and commitment to quality, the presence of coliform in one of its flagship products is not being taken lightly.
What is Coliform, and should you be concerned?
According to the Vermont State Department of Health, coliform itself may not cause illness, but its detection in food products can suggest that other, more dangerous pathogens could be present if sanitation controls were inadequate.
In this case, there is no evidence of E. coli or any other harmful bacteria in the affected butter. The issue, experts say, lies more with consumer confidence than immediate danger.
Transparency and trust in the dairy industry
In a statement, Agri-Mark emphasized the company's “strict testing protocols” and “swift action” in containing the affected lot. “Protecting our consumers is our top priority, and this recall demonstrates our commitment to food safety and integrity,” the company said.
What should consumers do?
- Best by: Sept. 9, 2025
- Lot code: 090925-055
- Item Number: 2038
- UPC: 0 78354 62038 0
Final thoughts
As food safety systems continue to evolve with advanced testing and tighter regulations, quick action — like in this case — can prevent potential harm and ensure that brands remain trusted staples on our shelves.