From the food stocked in your refrigerator to the appliances you utilize daily, recalls can significantly impact our lives, often without timely warnings. This delay occurs as investigators work meticulously to uncover all relevant details. Teresa Murray, a consumer advocate with the US Public Interest Research Group, provided insight into the typical timeline of a food recall. She noted that several weeks may pass between an individual falling ill, seeking treatment, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifying the source of the issue, often leading to a definitive connection to a specific brand or product. In the case of vehicles and other consumer goods, repairs can take even longer—potentially months or years—as discussions occur between regulators and manufacturers. Unfortunately, such delays can have severe consequences. Recently, the U.S. government issued a warning regarding a well-known Fisher Price baby product. The company initially recalled its Rock ‘n Play sleeper in 2019 after over 30 infant fatalities since the product’s launch in 2009. A report from the House Oversight Committee revealed that both the company and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) had been aware of these deaths and related injuries as far back as 2012. Alarmingly, the CPSC has stated that 70 additional fatalities have been logged since the recall, including eight that occurred after the initial announcement, prompting a renewed warning in 2023. Murray commented on the inadequacy of recall notifications in this country, emphasizing a collective need for improvement. She encouraged consumers to take proactive steps before making any purchases by checking saferproducts.gov, the CPSC’s website where complaints can be filed and reviewed. Shoppers can search by brand and product type to identify potential issues. Additionally, she advised registering major purchases, particularly baby equipment like strollers and car seats, so manufacturers can notify owners in the event of a recall. For automobile owners, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers a tool to check for recalls based on vehicle identification numbers, or VINs. Lastly, subscribing to recall alerts at recalls.gov is highly recommended, with Murray suggesting that making recall checks a regular part of one’s routine can be crucial. Reporting from Washington, I’m Annie Lou.
If you’ve recently purchased a prepared meatloaf meal from Costco, it is wise to review the label before cooking it.
Costco has issued a recall for specific Meatloaf with Mashed Yukon Potatoes and Glaze meals after being informed that one of the ingredients might be associated with potential Salmonella contamination. This issue originated from an ingredient supplier who alerted Costco about the risk.
The affected ready-to-eat meals were available for purchase between March 2 and March 13, 2026, and feature sell-by dates from March 5 to March 16, 2026.
According to the recall notice, these meals were sold at Costco locations across several states, including Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Costco is urging customers to exercise caution. The company advises against consuming the recalled product and recommends returning it to your local warehouse for a complete refund.
The notice from Costco states: “Salmonella is a bacteria that can lead to severe and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems.” Fortunately, no illnesses or injuries have been reported concerning the recalled meatloaf meals.
