Costco reveals changes to store brand products

Issaquah, Wash.-based Costco Wholesale Corp. announced via the June issue of The Costco Connection, a magazine for its members, that it has upgraded the formulation of its Kirkland Signature pesto to include Genovese basil. The basil is renowned for its sweet taste and rich oil content. The basil is grown in Genoa, Italy and is the only basil on the market that has a protected designation of origin.

In the May issue of The Costco Connection, the retailer revealed that unusual weather in Spain and Italy in 2014 reduced olive oil yields up to 40 percent compared to prior years. Therefore, Costco looked to other sources for its Kirkland Signature extra-virgin olive oils. This is resulting in several new olive oil products for members this summer.

The current 2-liter Kirkland Signature Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil will be replaced by a 2-liter bottle of Kirkland Signature Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil. The 2-liter Kirkland Signature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil will continue to be available in all locations, although the blend will change slightly. The 1-liter Kirkland Signature Tuscan Extra Virgin Olive Oil will be phased out and replaced by five different extra virgin olive oils from Bellucci that come with protected denomination of origin certifications, Costco revealed.