Cabot Butter Recalled Over Possible Fecal Contamination

Cabot Creamery butter parent company Agri-Mark is recalling more than 1,700 pounds of a butter product over concerns that it could be contaminated with coliform, a type of fecal bacteria.

The company is voluntarily recalling 189 cases of Cabot's 8-ounce Extra Creamy Premium Sea Salted Butter, according to a March 26 enforcement report from the Food and Drug Administration.

The Cabot butter product comes in packages containing two 4-ounce sticks in cardboard shells, according to the recall notice, which says it could contain "elevated levels" of coliform.

Its product code is UPC 0 78354 62038 0, and it was distributed across seven states, including Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Maine, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Arkansas.

The recall is categorized as class 3, which is the least serious category and means that exposure to the product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences, according to the FDA.

While the FDA has classified this as a Class III recall, indicating a low likelihood of adverse health consequences, consumers are advised to check their refrigerators for the specified butter packages. If you have purchased this product, it is recommended to either discard it or return it to the place of purchase for a refund. Although no illnesses have been reported to date, those who have consumed the butter and are experiencing symptoms such as gastrointestinal discomfort should consult a healthcare provider. ​

The recall was marked as Class III recall by the FDA, meaning that it believes the affected products are, "not likely to cause adverse health consequences." Cabot Creamery said in an email that have been no reports of illness or consumer complaints.

Butter recalled in 7 states

FDA documents show that the recalled butter was sent to the following states:

• Arkansas
• Connecticut
• Maine
• New Hampshire
• New York
• Pennsylvania
• Vermont

Cabot Creamery said that "99.5% of the product was recovered before reaching consumers." The company said that the recalled butter that made it to store shelves was sold in Vermont.

How to identify the recalled butter

The recalled butter is packaged as two 4-ounce sticks in cardboard shells.

The packages are marked with:

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

What is coliform?

Coliform is a group of bacteria that is found in the feces of mammals, according to the Washington State Department of Health.

Coliform is unlikely to cause illness, according to the department, but its presence suggests that other pathogens could be present. However, E. coli bacteria is a subgroup of coliform.

Coliforms appear in both animal and human wastes and in plant and soil material.bacteria that are always present in the digestive tracts of animals, including humans, and are found in their wastes. They are also found in plant and soil material.

While most coliform bacteria do not cause illness, some rare strains of E. coli, a type of coliform bacteria can lead to serious illness, according to New York's Department of Health.

The presence of coliform can indicate that a food product contains other more dangerous pathogens. Most of the reported human cases of disease caused by E. coli have been linked to consuming under cooked hamburgers, according to the department.

What should I do with recalled butter?

Cabot Butter's parent company Agri-Mark did not issue a press release for the recall, where disposal recommendations are usually made.

What Happens to the Exported Batch of This Contaminated Butter?

Ah, now we’ve arrived at the part of the iceberg that the Titanic didn’t see — the part that lies beneath the surface. Because while American consumers are clutching their grocery receipts and sniffing their fridge contents with newfound suspicion, there’s an even bigger question looming:

Where else did this contaminated batch of Cabot’s Sea Salted Extra Creamy Premium Butter end up?

Let’s not pretend America is the only destination for products like this. In today’s global trade arena, a recalled product in the U.S. could be melting on toast in Tokyo or sizzling in a Parisian skillet. And the truth is — no one is talking about it. Not loudly enough, at least.