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Costco’s Strict Quality Regime Keeps Kirkland Milk Fresh After Expiration

Surprise audits plus extensive microbial analysis paired with tighter water oversight push Kirkland milk well beyond federal safety thresholds.

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Overview

  • Costco’s 2023 Food Safety & Quality Audit Expectations mandate annual unannounced inspections for suppliers (twice yearly in China) with automatic re-audits within 60 days for scores below 85%.
  • Every batch of Kirkland milk undergoes about 60 microbial tests and is blocked from shipment if even one test fails.
  • The retailer monitors processing water more frequently than FDA requirements and rotates lead auditors every three years to prevent complacency.
  • Lower somatic cell and bacterial counts verified through these measures often let Kirkland milk stay fresh several days to weeks past its printed expiration date.
  • These stricter inspection and testing practices significantly reduce spoilage and help customers buy milk less often, cutting food waste and saving money.