In a bizarre bureaucratic twist, Costco was forced to recall nearly 80,000 pounds of its Kirkland Signature butter because — get this — the label didn’t explicitly warn that it contains milk. Yes, butter, the classic dairy staple that has graced kitchens for centuries, was pulled from shelves because the package failed to state the obvious.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a recall in October, citing the absence of an allergy warning on both salted and unsalted Kirkland Signature Sweet Cream Butter packages. While the ingredient list does mention “cream,” the lack of a “Contains Milk” warning apparently triggered alarm bells at the FDA, sparking a recall of a staggering 79,200 pounds of butter.

As you might expect, social media erupted, and people weren’t shy about pointing out the absurdity. “80,000 pounds of Costco butter was just recalled because the label doesn’t say it contains milk. It’s butter,” one incredulous commenter wrote. Another quipped, “Can y’all please safely dispose of it at my house? I have a lot of holiday baking to do.”

Some users took the opportunity to call out the government for the wastefulness of such a recall. “Rather than waste 80,000 pounds of butter, why don’t they print stickers that say ‘Contains Milk’ and save perfectly good food?” one commenter asked, highlighting the frustration many Americans feel toward wasteful, bureaucratic regulations. Another exasperated user added, “Next they’ll recall beef that might contain cow.” It seems like every day, the government finds new ways to wrap red tape around even the most common-sense aspects of life.

Yes, butter does contain milk, but it’s a product that’s as close to pure dairy as it gets, created by churning milk until it separates into solids and liquids. And while the CDC does advise that milk is one of the main foods that can trigger severe allergic reactions, many are questioning if this really justifies tossing 80,000 pounds of perfectly edible butter. Most would agree that those who suffer from milk allergies are well aware of butter’s ingredients. The CDC’s cautious tone is likely in response to the FDA’s allergy warning protocols, but many feel this recall went overboard.

One user cut right to the heart of the matter: “If you need the government to tell you that butter is a dairy product…well, I can’t help you. God, I loathe the state.” This sentiment echoed across the online discussion, with many expressing exasperation over yet another instance of the government’s overreach.

Repurposing, relabeling, or even donating the product could have been far less wasteful alternatives to the massive recall. Instead, bureaucratic red tape has apparently taken precedence over common sense, costing Costco thousands of dollars and taxpayers’ dollars too.

Costco hasn’t reported any adverse reactions or illnesses linked to this butter, and the FDA has remained silent on any real cases of milk-allergy reactions from the product. In the end, the only clear reaction here has been the frustration of consumers nationwide. This incident serves as a reminder that as long as regulatory bodies like the FDA keep their power unchecked, Americans might just have to keep looking out for such warnings — even when common sense should prevail.