Costco is known for providing one of the best quality products in all domains, and one can agree that their quality is goodwill for them. It has a crowd of loyal customers. However, these customers will know the pain of seeing their favorite product getting discontinued and stopped being sold at the store. This may be because of sales, health and safety purposes, animal safety, or changes in business policies. Well, it is always good to stock your favorite items!
Check out the list of the items which have disappeared from Costco stores shelves which you may never see again.
Half Sheet Cake
The half sheet cake was one of the items in the COVID-19 cancellation list. This yummy cake was enough to feed 50 people at a very reasonable price, appropriate for birthdays, anniversaries, or any celebrations that require a cake. However, the company has revealed that they are not planning this cake to come on the market soon. The Costco representative explained that social distancing space is required in this hard time of the pandemic, and very less personal contact should be maintained.
But in other news, Costco has introduced a 10 inch round cake which is enough for small gatherings as per the COVID-19 SOPs.
Polish Dog
Shocking news for the customers who loved Costco Polish Dog! Yes, this is another item Costco stopped selling. Apparently, Costco's representative revealed that they had made space for healthy food in their menu, so they got rid of polish dogs. This angered the regular customers who were in love with their polish dog.
Many of the customers busted their angry out on Twitter and started an online protest with #SaveThePolishDog. Unfortunately, their hard work for the protest failed, and they couldn't save their favorite dish. However, the all-beef frankfurter, hot dog, and soda combo will not be disappearing from the menu anytime soon.
Kirkland Signature Light Beer
Costco believes in quality, not quantity. They stopped their production of beer in 2018 due to the bad reviews they received. Under the liquor shelf, this beer was highly disgraced with comments like "it tastes like battery acid", "urine-soaked diaper sitting on a piping hot radiator".
The beer has a low amount of alcohol and ranked in a poor position on Beer Advocate. Costco took the customer's reviews seriously and admitted that it isn't an impressive drink they produced. Later in 2018, they stopped selling the Kirkland Signature Light Beer forever, and the loyal customer of Costco never really missed this unliked product.
All American Chocolate Cake
Costco discontinues this yummy, rich chocolate cake. This ultimate desert was priced at $16.99. Costco made their customers happy with the taste as well as with the price. However, the abandonment had no reasons as of now, and leaving customers angry and as well as confused. The company stopped its production in 2019.
Many customers started the petition on Change.org; the petition circulated widely and has 3000+ signatures asking to reconsider the decision. Some customers posted online that this densely rich chocolate cake's discontinuation is an insult to the company. This epic cake is missed in the Costco bakery, and the petition signed was not reconsidered by the company.
Hand-Dipped Ice-Cream Bars
Another shocking news came in 2013 when Costco discontinued the Hand-dipped ice cream bars, possibly another controversial tale. Costco sold vanilla ice cream, dipping the cone in chocolate and sparkling some almonds on the top.
The deliciousness was amazing as the dipped chocolate was cool, thick, and the rich flavor of almonds made it heavenly. This ice cream bar was priced at $1.50, which made customers even happier. However, it is said that they didn't make enough profit and decided to stop the selling. The other story says that a Reddit user who is a former employee at Costco food court recited the double-dipped ice cream bar story.
RoundUp
As we all know, Costco provides high-quality products at reasonable rates, and they are proud of it. However, Costco takes their customers' health and safety very vigorously. The story is said, an American couple won $2 billion when they filed a case against the parent company of Roundup, Monsanto.
They proved that the product contained a cancer-causing ingredient, glyphosate. Further, Costco did not give second thoughts and declined all the products forever, which had the same ingredient. Before that, for other products, Costco circulated a petition on Change.org, which had 85000 signatures. Therefore, they took this product out of their shelves for safety and health purposes.
BBQ Beef Brisket Sandwich
BBQ Beef brisket sandwich had a fan base like an actor has. Many customers said this is the best sandwich on the entire menu at a price of $4.99. But the fan base of this delicious sandwich wasn't enough to stop Costco from discontinuing it.
The thought never crossed customers' minds that this sandwich with tangy barbeque sauce can ever be replaced. However, it was replaced! Costco replaced this unique, yummy, and saucy beef barbeque sandwich with a cup of chili which, by the way, was a complete disappointment and overpriced too. As of now, Costco customers of Costco miss their favorite food items from the menu.
Chocolate Frozen Yogurt
Here is another item on the Costco menu that did not survive. Again customers were highly disappointed with the decision, and surprisingly, Costco has no plans to bring it back on the menu yet.
This chocolate frozen yogurt has a divine taste, and your taste buds will crave it every time you visit Costco. Costco considered the first report of The Tribune in 2018 that the California branch discontinued the product, followed by other branches. However, for this also, a petition was circulated, but the company declined the petition. Further, they have introduced an alternative option: acai banana chips bowl with blueberries and strawberries slices.
Kirkland Signature Turkey Burgers
Kirkland Signature Turkey Burgers is another favorite dish for customers. Whether it is all American chocolate cake or Polish dog, Costco has stopped selling their customers' favorite, which ultimately results in signing the petition that goes in vain.
This Kirkland Signature Turkey Burger had very low fat and carbs, additionally having 35 grams of protein, considered as healthy enough. Not only from a health perspective, but turkey burgers were so yummy and saucy. However, they stopped and had a substitute for it which was kept in their freezer section. But you can't compare the original turkey burger with its melting cheeses inside.
Kirkland Signature American Cheese
Another surprise came from Costco. They discontinued Kirkland Signature American Cheese production, and it was another shock for their loyal customers. It was said to be the best cheese in the market. The whole packet had 120 slices which tasted less processed and came in many other flavors. Also, its taste was incomparable with brand cheese.
This cheese was easy to melt and the perfect option for grilled chicken burgers. But in no time, it was not seen in the refrigerators of people anymore. However, the reason is disclosed, and people are still hoping to see if they can enjoy the Kirkland Signature American Cheese soon again.
Fresh made Gelato
Fresh-made Gelato is an unforgettable item on the Costco food court menu. It was freshly made, which came in three different flavors, mixed berry, pistachio, and stracciatella. And without a doubt, all three flavors were yum in taste.
Considering the taste and variety, Costco made their customer happy with its price, which was only $1.50. This amazing item was served in a crunchy cone with three scopes of the flavor of your choice. But, they discontinued the fresh-made Gelato, reasons didn't come out, and again Costco ignored the customer's request to bring it back as they signed a petition for this too.
Kirkland Signature 5 Pocket Jeans
Well, apart from the tasty food items, Costco managed to produce their own clothesline in 2016. Kirkland Signature pocket jeans for men were an amazing product when they were introduced. They got a great response, but they reintroduced the design of their jeans. Soon they started receiving complaints about the fabric and the cut. Fabric quality was reduced, and the first production style was much more classy than the reintroduced jeans.
Also, a user made an argument on Reddit, complaining about the material changes as it was thinner than before and an unusual fit. Further, Costco stopped selling Kirkland Signature men's jeans.
Cuddle with Me Dolls
Costco produced dolls that were ultimately discontinued. People found the doll was racially offensive. The doll was designed for three different races- Caucasian, African- American, and Hispanic. Every doll came with a monkey or a panda with it.
A member from North California filed a complaint against the African-American doll, which a monkey accompanied. The complaint was about the color of the doll and what small kids will perceive from this offensive toy. However, the complaint against the product was considered, and Costco apologized for the same. In 2009 Costco stopped selling products forever and never made anything in such a racially offensive way.
Kirkland Signature Performance One Golf Balls
From selling tasty food to clothes, Costco also has sports products. For people who have a love for this lavish sport, golf, have a specific taste for golf balls and only choose Kirkland Signature Performance one golf balls. Costco received many positive responses initially; however, some customers noticed the change in the name and as well as in the quality. It was also printed in Golf Digest that people have noticed some serious issues with the quality.
Many felt like its quality got reduced since they improvised the product. However, Costco stopped the production and the sales when they started receiving negative reviews from the customers.
Threatened Seafood
In 2011, the business policy was introduced to do an eco-friendly business and protect the plants and animals. The policy included prohibiting the sales of endangered species and seafood products. Since then, Costco followed the new policies rules and stopped selling endangered seafood.
The seafood list includes wild swordfish, bluefin tuna, sharks, cod, Chilean sea bass, grouper, and wild king salmon. Costco now chooses to sell the product from fisheries sources that are only certified by the MSC (Marine Stewardship Council). However, people miss their favorites from the seafood section, but the rule is to be followed, and nothing can be done.
Chaokoh Coconut Milk
In 2020, it came out in the open that chaokoh coconut milk used monkeys as labor for production. Additionally, it also came out by a coconut farmer that when monkeys are afraid, they become rebellious, therefore to handle such conditions, monkey teeth are pulled out.
However, spreading the news like fire, Costco considered the news authentic and ceased purchasing from the brand. But publicly, Costco never commented on the issues. It was an immediate decision that they will purchase the product if the production and whole process are done by human labor, otherwise not. However, supporting the protection of animals, Costco declined the purchase of Chaokoh coconut milk.
Eggs from Caged Chickens
Taking animal safety is a priority of Costco. After banishing the sale of threatened seafood and chaokoh coconut milk, another item is added to the list. Eggs from caged chickens are prohibited from sale. The company has declared that they will soon revamp the eggs which are produced from cage-free hens.
However, till now, Costco is not selling eggs from caged chickens. Additionally, Costco reached its profit goal of cage-free eggs by late 2020. Costco declared that they will be not be selling eggs from the caged chicken as it is considered animal cruelty. However, customers have supported this decision.
Costco Cookbooks
If you already have Costco branded cookbooks, then save them forever in your bookshelves. You won't be getting a new version of books or any other cookbooks of Costco now at the local warehouse. Costco has stopped printing the cookbooks in thanksgiving season 2015. These cookbooks had awesome recipes which are easy to make at your home.
If you don't have one, you can find some recipes in the Costco Connection magazines, but not all. But let's accept the fact that these books will not be coming back to the stores now. Customers, however, miss these books, and those who have them, have kept their book as treasure.
Kirkland Signature milk chocolate peanut butter cups
Considering the reviews from customers of milk chocolate peanut butter cups, Costco was initially very proud to have this yum product. According to a verified buyer from Amazon, he commented on the product that this is the best of all Kirkland and the brand nails it. It had the right amount of cream, chocolate, and peanut butter taste which was mouth-watering. Some of the loyal customers compared the product with reveal brand Reese's and admitted that Kirland's product is way better than Reese's.
However, for some reason, Kirkland signature milk chocolate peanut butter cups were discontinued by Costco on the official website as well as at the stores.
Kirkland Signature Frozen Four Cheese Ravioli
Kirkland's signature frozen four-cheese ravioli was a super savior if one wasn't in the mood to cook a meal. It was one of the hit products at Costco, and customers loved it. This was an instant pasta, inside filled with ricotta, parmesan, and cheeses, which gave an amazing taste.
A food blogger agreed that this tasty instant pasta was as good as cheese pasta at an Italian restaurant. However, this pasta vanished from the stores without any prior announcements or reasons. Customers claim that they haven't seen this product for long at the store nor at the official website.
Palmetto Cheese
Palmetto Cheese disappeared from the stores at Costco after the brand owner Brian Henry revealed on Facebook, attacking a protest group. According to the news, Palmetto cheese will no longer be sold in Costco's all 120 stores in the USA. Many say that the product will not return in the future, but the owner, Henry told the news that Palmetto cheese will be back in stores in the near future.
However, Costco is yet to make a comment on the same. Apart from this chaos, palmetto cheese loyal customers were disheartened with the news and hoped they could see their favorite product back again on the shelves.]]>