As consumers rush to stock up for fall gatherings and ready-to-eat meals, Costco has issued a major recall of its popular poke product: Kirkland Signature Ahi Tuna Wasabi Poke. The recall — triggered by a positive test for Listeria in one of the product’s ingredients — affects more than 3,300 pounds of poke sold at Costco warehouse delis across dozens of states.
🔎 What Was Recalled
- The affected product carries Costco item number 17193, with a packing date of September 18, 2025 and a “sell-by” date of September 22, 2025.
- The recall was issued by the seafood distributor Western United Fish Company (doing business as Annasea Foods Group), after being informed by its green-onion supplier that some green onions used in the poke tested positive for Listeria.
- The poke was sold in clear plastic clamshell containers under the Kirkland Signature label and distributed in the deli sections of Costco locations in over 30 states, including Oregon and Washington.
Why It Matters: Listeria Risks
The public health alert emphasizes that Listeria monocytogenes — the bacteria at issue — can cause serious illness, especially in vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.
Symptoms of a Listeria infection (listeriosis) can include fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. In more severe cases, the infection may spread beyond the gut and lead to serious complications — making it particularly dangerous for pregnant people, who may face risk of pregnancy complications.
Although no confirmed illnesses have been reported as of the recall announcement, the incubation period for Listeria can be quite long — meaning symptoms may not appear immediately.
What Consumers Should Do
Costco customers who purchased Kirkland Ahi Tuna Wasabi Poke with the item number and dates above should:
- Not eat the product — even if it looks or smells fine.
- Dispose of it immediately, or return it to their local Costco for a full refund.
- Monitor their health, and seek medical attention if they develop symptoms consistent with listeriosis — especially if pregnant, elderly, very young, or immunocompromised.
What Went Wrong — and Broader Implications
The contamination appears to stem from green onions used in the poke mix — not the fish itself. According to the distributor, the green onion supplier discovered the Listeria and notified them on September 17, 2025.
Because green onions are often used raw, they can harbor pathogens that survive refrigeration — making them a higher-risk ingredient. Combined with ready-to-eat packaging and wide distribution, any contamination can pose a significant public health risk.
The recall serves as a reminder of the importance of rigorous supplier testing and traceability in the supply chain — particularly for ready-to-eat foods that combine multiple ingredients.
What’s Next
At present, the distributor and the supplying farm are reportedly investigating the root cause of the contamination. In the meantime, Costco and health officials are urging vigilance: check refrigerators, avoid consuming the recalled product, and spread the word — especially to household members who may be at greater risk
