Butter Recalled: Cabot Creamery Pulls Product from 7 States Over Bacteria Concerns

In an unexpected turn for butter lovers, a major butter recalled alert has been issued across seven U.S. states. Cabot Creamery, a well-known and trusted brand in the dairy industry, has pulled its 8oz Extra Creamy Premium Butter with Sea Salt off store shelves due to potential contamination with coliform bacteria, an indicator of possible fecal matter.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially classified this recall as a Class III event, meaning the product is not likely to cause serious health problems, but health officials are still urging caution.

What Triggered the Butter Recall?

The recall was initiated on March 26, 2025, when routine FDA testing identified elevated levels of coliform bacteria in Cabot Creamery’s butter. Coliform is a group of bacteria often found in the environment and in feces. While not all coliforms are harmful, their presence often signals the potential for other dangerous pathogens to be lurking.

According to the Washington State Department of Health, coliform itself is unlikely to cause illness, but its detection is concerning enough to warrant pulling the product off shelves.

Which Butter Was Recalled?

The butter recalled is specifically the Cabot Creamery 8oz Extra Creamy Premium Butter, Sea Salted. It comes in an 8-ounce package containing two 4-ounce sticks, wrapped in cardboard shells.

Here’s how you can identify the affected butter:

Best By Date: 09/09/25
Lot Number: 090925-055
Item Number: 2038
UPC: 0 78354 62038 0

If you spot any of these details on your butter packaging, do not consume the product.

Where Was the Butter Distributed?

The butter recalled was distributed across seven U.S. states, specifically:

Vermont
New York
Pennsylvania
Maine
Connecticut
New Hampshire
Arkansas

Cabot Creamery has confirmed that the majority of the affected butter—about 99.5%—was recovered before it reached consumers. However, about 17 packages did make it into the hands of customers, primarily in Vermont, according to statements made to Nexstar and USA Today.

What Should Consumers Do?

If you believe you purchased the recalled butter, you have two safe options:

Return it to the store where you bought it for a full refund.
Dispose of it safely by throwing it out.

A spokesperson from Cabot Creamery told the media, “The safest thing to do is return it or throw it away. We are committed to the highest standards of food safety.”

What Is Cabot Creamery Saying?

Cabot Creamery’s parent company, Agri-Mark, released a public statement explaining that they had:

Identified the cause of the contamination.
Taken internal corrective actions.
Confirmed no other Cabot products were affected.

In their statement, they reassured the public:

“Agri-Mark is dedicated to food safety and producing quality products. We’re always monitoring our products for compliance and maintaining high standards.”

Has Anyone Gotten Sick?

As of now, no illnesses or consumer complaints have been reported in connection with the butter recalled. The FDA’s Class III classification means the product is not expected to cause adverse health effects, but experts still warn against taking any risks.

How Big Was the Recall?

The recall involved:

189 cases
Over 1,700 pounds of butter

Even though this might sound like a small amount in the grand scheme of things, when it comes to food safety, every contaminated product counts.

Why Is Coliform a Big Deal?

While coliform bacteria are not typically harmful on their own, their presence in a food product suggests that the product may have been exposed to unsanitary conditions. More importantly, coliform can act as a red flag for the presence of more harmful bacteria like E. coli, which can cause serious health problems.

So, even though this was labeled as a "low-risk" recall, it still warrants your full attention.

Final Thoughts

While this butter recalled situation may not be a health emergency, it’s a reminder of why food safety testing exists in the first place. Cabot Creamery and Agri-Mark acted swiftly, and most of the product was recovered before reaching kitchens across the country.

Still, if you're someone who recently stocked up on butter, it’s worth taking a minute to check your fridge. Look for the lot number, best by date, and UPC code. When in doubt, don’t take chances—return or toss it.