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12 Products Banned From Costco’s Shelves

Don’t expect to find these items on Costco’s shelves anytime soon.

costco wholesale store outside during day
Updated Sept. 24, 2024
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Costco has some great items on its shelves that are always a must for Costco fans.

Sometimes, they’re Costco shopping hacks like buying Kirkland Signature products to save money or great bulk buys so you always have your pantry stocked.

But there are some items that you will never be able to find on Costco’s shelves, at least not anymore.

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Eggs from caged hens

geargodz/Adobe fresh eggs for sale at a market

Check your egg options at Costco the next time you shop at the warehouse retailer. You may notice that the company makes a point of labeling its eggs cage-free.

One reason is that Costco decided to stop selling eggs that weren’t guaranteed to be from cage-free farms.

Costco’s regular and organic eggs note on the label that they’re from cage-free farms.

Roundup

Sundry Photography\Adobe roundup weed killer

Roundup may be a good weed killer, but it’s also a dangerous chemical that has been linked to cancer. The company that made it has even faced lawsuits regarding the dangerous chemical.

Costco took it off the shelves due to its cancer risks, so it’s not likely you’ll see it at your local warehouse retailer anytime soon.

Threatened seafood

Brent Hofacker/Adobe swordfish steak filets

You may have noticed that Costco’s seafood selection might not have as much variety as it used to.

The retailer discontinued selling endangered fish like bluefin tuna and swordfish as part of an effort to support more sustainable fish options instead.

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Kirkland Signature Half Sheet Cake

Wathanachai/Adobe decorating a chocolate cake pattern

A half-sheet cake from Costco was easy to pick up for a birthday party or a celebration at your office.

Costco recently brought the half-sheet cake back as an option, but it’s not as simple as the grab-and-go option that used to be on the bakery shelves.

Instead, you have to go in person to pre-order one and give Costco time to make it to order.

Cigarettes

Nopphon/Adobe male hand holding a cigarette

Costco took cigarettes off the shelves several years ago. A spokesperson at the time cited issues such as low sales margins, higher theft, and the fact that they needed extra labor due to local regulations restricting access.

The retailer sells cigarettes through its Costco Business Center for business customers who resell them, but the company has specific restrictions on selling tobacco products. It's also discontinuing the delivery option for cigarettes from its business centers.

Chaokoh coconut milk

Sea Wave/Adobe coconut milk in glass bottle

Costco pulled Chaokoh coconut milk from its shelves after finding out about questionable labor regulations by the company.

The move came after allegations that the coconut milk company used forced monkey labor to get the coconuts needed for its products.

Combo pizza

Kaessa/Adobe thin crust combo pizza

Costco has an amazing food court with affordable items like a slice of pizza, churro, or its famous hot dog deal with a drink.

But the food court also used to have a combo pizza, with a pie piled high with veggies and meat.

The move was part of the company’s effort to streamline its food court options, but it did leave some fans upset about the combo cut.

Studded tires

Zigmunds/Adobe different studded winter tires

Studded tires may have been a good option if you lived in an area with plenty of snow, but they could also damage roadways, so Costco decided to pull them from its tires and auto department.

Instead, check with Costco’s tire department to see if they have better options for different weather conditions you may face as a driver.

Brands that don’t sell

Chris C./Adobe Costco wholesale store

Costco's shelf space is scarce, which may be a surprise considering the size of its warehouses. But the warehouse setup means it's harder to stock different brands for one product.

Your typical grocery store could have 40,000 different products, but Costco only has space for 4,000 options, making it difficult to get on a shelf and stay there.

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MyPillow

Irshaad Majal/peopleimages.com/Adobe man waking up in a bed

Costco used to carry the MyPillow brand along with its other selections of pillows and bedding for customers.

But the retailer quietly stopped ordering new shipments in 2021 after the company’s CEO made unsubstantiated remarks about alleged fraud during the 2020 election.

Kirkland Signature Light Beer

volff/Adobe glass of light beer

Costco has a wide selection of affordable beer and liquor, including a few bottles of Kirkland Signature.

But the company struck out with its Kirkland Signature Light Beer, so you’ll have to stick with the name-brand versions at your local Costco instead.

That actually may be a good thing for you, as the Kirkland Signature Light Beer got dinged by customers for its bad taste.

Pampers Diapers

HENADZY/Adobe woman opens a pack of diapers

Parents noticed a lack of Pampers Diapers on Costco's shelves beginning in 2021, and the brand hasn’t returned.

Instead, customers are limited to Huggies and Kirkland Signature diapers, which are said to be made by Kimberly-Clark.

Bottom line

JHVEPhoto/Adobe Costco store in Markham

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Author Details

Jenny Cohen

Jenny Cohen is a freelance writer who has covered a bit of everything, from finance to sports to her favorite TV shows. Her work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and FoxSports.com.