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.