Cabot Creamery Butter Recalled Due to Fecal Bacteria

It’s time to check your fridge again, because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just issued a very important recall for a household staple. 

On Wednesday, the FDA and Agri-Mark Inc., the parent company of Cabot Creamery, initiated a voluntary recall for Cabot Creamery butter after it tested positive for elevated levels of coliform bacteria in the product, which is commonly associated with fecal contamination.

The presence of coliform bacteria in food indicates possible negligence in food hygiene practices and increases the likelihood of contamination with dangerous pathogens.

According to the FDA’s notice, the recall includes 189 cases (totaling 1,701 pounds) of the brand’s 8-ounce Cabot Creamery Extra Creamy Premium Butter, Sea Salted. The butter was distributed in seven states: Arkansas, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont.

The recalled products were sold in cardboard containers that each hold two 4-ounce sticks. They all include a best-by date of September 9, 2025, and have the lot number 090925-055 printed on the label. Affected items also have a Universal Product Code (UPC) of 0 78354 62038 0, which can be located beneath the barcode on the packaging.

Luckily, the FDA has classified this as a Class III recall, which it defines as “a situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.”

The agency’s notice does not advise customers on what to do with their recalled butter, but the commonly recommended course of action is to either safely discard the items or return them to the place of their purchase for a refund.

While there have been no negative consequences reported with this recall thus far, it’s important to understand the potential impact of coliforms. According to ScienceDirect, this group of bacteria can be found in a number of environments, including water, soil, and vegetation.

The open access health resource explains that “while coliforms themselves are not normally causes of serious illness, they are easy to culture, and their presence is used to indicate that other pathogenic organisms of fecal origin may be present. Such pathogens include disease-causing bacteria, viruses, or protozoa, and many multicellular parasites.” 

Detection of coliforms means that pathogens like E. coli — which is actually a type of coliform — are more likely to be present. As the Mayo Clinic explains, “Most types of E. coli are harmless or cause relatively brief diarrhea. But a few strains… can cause severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting.”

Vulnerable individuals such as children, the elderly, or pregnant people, may be more susceptible to more severe infections. If you suspect you might have consumed contaminated food and experience any symptoms like diarrhea, stomach cramping, or nausea and vomiting, you should seek medical attention immediately.

And of course, if you have any recalled butter in your refrigerator or freezer, please make sure you throw it out.