Costco Recalls 941,400 Prosecco Bottles Over Shattering Hazard
Almost a million bottles of popular Costco Prosecco are being pulled from shelves after reports of them shattering unexpectedly—some leaving consumers with cuts. The recall, affecting exactly 941,400 bottles of Kirkland Signature Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG, was announced in 2025 by F&F Fine Wines International, Inc. dba Ethica Wines in close coordination with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The affected bottles, sold exclusively at Costco Wholesale Corporation stores and online between January and August 2025, feature a distinctive green glass bottle with a purple foil top and label reading "Kirkland Signature Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG." The problem? They can break during normal handling—no warning, no explanation—turning a simple wine opener into a potential hazard.
What Happened?
It started with ten consumer reports. Not dozens. Not hundreds. Ten. But one of those incidents resulted in a laceration serious enough to require medical attention. That was enough for Ethica Wines and the CPSC to act. The recall notice, filed under the Consumer Product Safety Act, explicitly calls this a "substantial product hazard." That’s not a casual label. It means federal regulators believe the risk is real, immediate, and widespread enough to demand urgent action.
The bottles in question carry UPC 196633883742 and Costco Item Number 1879870. If you’ve got one, don’t open it. Don’t even move it unnecessarily. The CPSC’s instruction is blunt: "Immediately stop using the recalled bottles and not attempt to open them." And here’s the kicker—you’re supposed to throw them away in your regular trash. No recycling. No returning to the store. Just discard. Then call Ethica Wines for a full refund.
Who’s Responsible?
Let’s untangle the chain. Ethica Wines, based in Miami, Florida, is the importer and distributor. They source the Prosecco from Italy’s Valdobbiadene region and bottle it under Costco’s Kirkland Signature label. Costco doesn’t make the wine. They don’t control the packaging. But they’re the only place you can buy it in the U.S. That makes them the front-facing brand—and the one consumers are calling when they find a shard of glass in their kitchen.
Costco has cooperated fully. They’ve pulled remaining stock from all 598 warehouse locations nationwide and taken the product offline on their website. But the burden of managing refunds, tracking reports, and communicating with customers falls squarely on Ethica Wines. Their hotline—786-810-7132—is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST. You can also email [email protected]. Even if you’ve already tossed the bottle, you can still get your money back if you can prove you bought it at Costco.
Why Now? Why This Bottle?
The real mystery isn’t the recall—it’s why. Prosecco is a sparkling wine, yes, but it’s not high-pressure like Champagne. Most bottles are designed to handle normal handling. So what’s different about these?
Industry insiders speculate the issue lies in the glass thickness or a flaw in the bottle’s base, possibly from a rushed production run or a supplier change. Ethica Wines hasn’t released specifics, but the CPSC’s involvement suggests they’ve reviewed manufacturing data and confirmed a pattern. This isn’t random. It’s systemic.
And while it’s only ten reports so far, that’s enough to trigger a recall of nearly a million units. The CPSC doesn’t wait for hundreds of injuries. They move when the risk is statistically significant. In 2025, this is one of the largest alcohol-related recalls in U.S. history.
What’s at Stake?
This isn’t just about broken glass. It’s about trust. Kirkland Signature has built a reputation on value and reliability. People buy it because they believe Costco stands behind its products. When a $12 bottle of wine can cut you, that reputation takes a hit.
For Ethica Wines, the financial fallout could be steep. Not just in refunds, but in legal exposure and brand damage. And for Costco, it’s a reminder that even the most trusted private labels are only as safe as their suppliers. The company’s response has been swift, but the real test comes next: will they demand tighter quality controls from future partners?
What Should You Do?
If you bought this Prosecco:
- Do not open the bottle.
- Do not try to move it unnecessarily.
- Dispose of it in your regular household trash.
- Contact Ethica Wines at 786-810-7132 or [email protected] for a full refund.
- If you’ve already discarded the bottle, you can still get your money back—just provide proof of purchase.
If you’ve been injured or know someone who has, report it to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov. Even if you don’t have the bottle, your report helps regulators track patterns and prevent future incidents.
What’s Next?
The CPSC requires Ethica Wines to submit regular effectiveness reports. That means they’re watching how many bottles are returned, how many refunds are processed, and whether new reports keep coming in. The recall won’t be closed until the agency is confident all affected bottles are out of circulation.
Expect more scrutiny on imported sparkling wines. This recall may trigger new packaging standards or mandatory testing for glass integrity in the U.S. wine industry. And for consumers? It’s a sobering reminder: even the most ordinary products can carry hidden risks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my Prosecco is part of the recall?
Check the bottle label for "Kirkland Signature Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG," the green glass body, and the purple foil top. The UPC must be 196633883742 and the Costco item number 1879870. If it matches, it’s included—even if you bought it months ago. No other Kirkland wines or Prosecco brands are affected.
Why can’t I return the bottle to Costco?
Costco isn’t handling refunds directly. Ethica Wines, as the importer and recall coordinator, manages all claims to ensure accurate tracking and compliance with CPSC regulations. Costco’s role was to remove the product from shelves. You must contact Ethica Wines for your refund, even if you bought it at Costco.
Is it safe to drink other Kirkland Signature wines?
Yes. This recall affects only the specific Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG with the purple label and UPC 196633883742. All other Kirkland wines—including other Proseccos, reds, and whites—are unaffected. The issue is isolated to this one batch from Ethica Wines.
What should I do if I already opened the bottle and got cut?
Seek medical attention immediately if you haven’t already. Then report the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov and contact Ethica Wines for a refund. Even if you didn’t save the bottle, your report helps regulators understand the scope of the hazard. You’re still eligible for a refund if you can prove purchase.
Why did it take so long to recall these bottles?
Ethica Wines received the first reports in early 2025 and began investigating. By August, they had ten confirmed incidents—including one injury—and worked with the CPSC to launch the recall. While it may seem slow, recalls require verification, coordination with retailers, and regulatory review. The CPSC considers this a timely response under federal guidelines.
Will this affect prices at Costco?
Not immediately. Costco will replace the recalled Prosecco with a new supplier or batch once approved. But long-term, stricter quality controls may increase costs slightly. Still, Kirkland Signature’s value pricing is unlikely to change—Costco’s model depends on it.