retailer

Costco

Costco sells Kirkland Signature and other food brands and also operates meat-processing plants in Tracy, California, and Morris, Illinois.

About

Costco’s May 2023 publication described its Tracy and Morris plants making ground beef, patties and other meat products.

Sourcing

Costco sells products from distinct U.S., Australian, New Zealand and Japanese meat programs, with origin and raising claims varying by product.

Practices

Costco’s 2025 report permits veterinary-supervised antibiotics for disease prevention, control and treatment in meat production.

Practices

Its January 2026 North American welfare policy requires annual slaughter audits, while farm-audit frequency varies and overall audit coverage is incomplete.

Practices

Costco’s September 2025 ground-meat supplier requirements call for finished ground beef to be held until E. coli O157:H7 test results are negative.

Researched September 14, 2026