Costco generous return policy often means that shoppers bring back food items that don’t meet expectations. With a vast member base and billions in annual sales, some products inevitably miss the mark. Here’s a breakdown of the most commonly returned food items, based on reports from customers and Costco employees.
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Fresh Produce
Fresh produce like spinach, avocados, and salad kits frequently finds its way back to Costco. Complaints usually involve soggy or spoiled items. One Costco employee on Reddit mentioned, “Costco’s supply chain is not keeping produce well refrigerated,” and pointed out that clamshell containers often show spoilage even on display. The volume of perishables handled by Costco could be a factor here.
Alcohol
Excess wine and beer returns are common, especially after events where shoppers buy in bulk but don’t use everything. State laws affect alcohol return policies, but employees express frustration, noting that returned alcohol can taste off if exposed to heat. Nevertheless, Costco’s return policy allows for alcohol returns in applicable states.
Chicken Breasts
Customers often return spoiled chicken breasts, citing a foul smell. Reddit users suggest freezing spoiled chicken before returning it to avoid further contamination. The long processing journey to Costco’s shelves could be a reason why some packs spoil prematurely.
Fish
Fish, especially salmon, is another high-return item at Costco. Despite efforts to keep seafood fresh, shoppers sometimes find slimy or foul-smelling fish before the sell-by date. An employee on Reddit advised, “Bag it, freeze it, and call Costco beforehand to avoid issues when returning.” Salmon and other seafood are reportedly regular return items.
Red Meat
Spoiled red meat like beef or lamb poses health risks and is often returned if it has a bad odor. Numerous reports on forums highlight Costco red meat as a common return, and employees recommend returning meat to the original purchase location for a refund, though handling spoiled meat can be unpleasant.
Nuts
Costco’s large bags of mixed nuts, while economical, are sometimes returned due to rancid or burnt flavors. As one Reddit user shared, “My first Costco food return in 21 years,” referring to Kirkland mixed nuts. The high-fat content in nuts can lead to oxidation and spoilage, but Costco accepts returns on affected bags.
Protein Bars
Kirkland protein bars are a popular bulk purchase, though some customers report taste issues and stomach discomfort. According to one Reddit user, “I returned Kirkland protein bars, and the clerk knew exactly why.” Such products are returned frequently enough to be notable.
Bacon
Reports of slimy or moldy bacon make it a frequent return item at Costco. Customers are advised to freeze it if they plan to return a spoiled pack. While some packs disappoint, Costco’s policy covers these instances.
Milk
Leaking and spoiled milk containers are regularly returned at Costco. Customers report issues with broken seals and spills, with one employee stating, “We refund for the hassle alone.” Though uncommon, such incidents occur frequently enough for milk to be a top return item.
Bread
Moldy bread from Costco’s bakery or bread aisle has become a common return issue. One Reddit user explained, “Less processed bread may mold quicker,” suggesting refrigeration to extend shelf life. Fortunately, Costco’s policy covers spoiled loaves.
Yogurt
Yogurt occasionally shows up in return bins, especially after issues like the September 2024 recall in Canada on strawberry-flavored Greek yogurt due to mold contamination. This and other reports of mold make yogurt a regular return item.
Tortillas
Customers report moldy tortillas despite storing them carefully, with one Reddit user noting multiple instances of this problem. To prevent spoilage, some customers recommend freezing tortillas. Costco accepts returns for moldy products, helping shoppers avoid disappointment.
