Costco sells out of 27-pound tub of mac and cheese with 20-year shelf life

Chef’s Banquet Macaroni & Cheese Storage Bucket comes with 180 servings of elbow pasta and 180 servings of cheddar cheese sauce.

Chef’s Banquet Macaroni & Cheese Storage Bucket

Chef’s Banquet Macaroni & Cheese Storage Bucket has been sold out at Costco.

Less than 24 hours after People reported the availability of the 27-pound tub of mac and cheese on January 10th, the product is now listed as out of stock on the retailer’s website.

Catalogued under Emergency Kits & Supplies, Chef’s Banquet Macaroni & Cheese Storage Bucket comes with 180 servings of elbow pasta and 180 servings of cheddar cheese sauce, stored separately in easy to open zip-seal pouches with oxygen absorbers that keep the quality of the fan-favorite meal for several years. If stored in a dry and cool environment, this $89.99 bucket of mac and cheese can last up to 2 decades.

While the product’s 20-year shelf life may raise some eyebrows, Joseph G. Sebranek, a professor at Iowa State University who researches food safety, told CNBC that “preservatives used in food are approved by regulatory agencies.” Though Sebranek isn’t familiar with the product, he said that, if it’s on the market, it’s most likely safe for consumption.

Though Chef’s Banquet Macaroni & Cheese Storage Bucket only went viral recently, reviews of the product on Costco’s website suggest that the item has been introduced to the market as late as four years ago. As of writing, the product has an average customer ratings of 4.6/5 stars with 5 out of 5 reviewers recommending it to others.

“Honestly, I was expecting something that tasted horrible. I was surprised to find out that it was very good,” wrote HealthTechSavvy in a five-star post from four years ago.

While it’s unclear when Costco is going to restock on these huge tubs of ooey-gooey goodness, the retail giant’s 6.6-pound tub of Nutella spread is still in stock for $21.99. Mountain House Freeze Dried Breakfast Skillet (60 Servings), Mountain House Lasagna with Meat Sauce (60 Servings), and Mountain House Freeze Dried Chicken Stew (60 Servings) are also currently available.

If you buy something from a GEEKSPIN link, we may earn a commission