According to the National Library of Medicine, non-pathogenic microbes don’t pose a substantial risk to consumers. However, they can create an environment that promotes food spoilage and creates risks for more dangerous pathogens to thrive. In Costco’s recall, the company mentioned the risk of the containers spoiling and bloating due to the potential microbes present.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, food can get contaminated in several ways, including through harvesting, processing, or distribution. In particular, manufacturers have to be careful not to mishandle their products. Likewise, temperature plays an important role in microbial growth. So far, Costco hasn’t announced how the broth may have been contaminated, but important checks and balances, such as regular testing, help prevent food poisoning. While non-pathogenic microbes might not pose a large risk, it’s better to adhere to the recall and throw out the broth or take it back to the store.