Costco Chia Seeds: Monda Foods Organic Review (2026)

By CostcoFan | Updated July 2026

Current: Monda Foods Organic Chia Seeds, 3 lbs · Item #1891740 · $10.89

Costco chia seeds have been a fixture in our pantry for years — we always keep a bag on the shelf and a backup behind it. They’re cheap, they last forever, and they quietly upgrade half the things we eat. Costco recently switched suppliers: for years they carried Nutiva, and now it’s Monda Foods Organic. I bought and used both, so this is the honest rundown on the current bag, how it compares to the old one, every way we actually use them, and the one annoying thing nobody warns you about.

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Monda Foods Organic Chia Seeds (Item #1891740) — What Costco Sells Now

$10.89 · 3 lbs (48 oz) · ~$3.63/lb · USDA Organic

This is the current bag, and it’s a solid product. Monda Foods sources their organic chia directly from small-holder farmers in Paraguay, grown with sustainable practices. It’s certified USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Kosher (Orthodox Union), and gluten-free — the same certifications the old Nutiva carried, so nothing was lost on that front when Costco made the switch.

At $10.89 for 3 pounds (~$3.63/lb), it’s still a genuine value. Chia can get pricey in small grocery-store bags; three pounds for under eleven bucks is the Costco advantage doing its thing. They go on sale every once in a while, and when they do we just grab one — which is how we always end up with a backup on the shelf.

Nutrition per 3 Tbsp (30g): 150 calories, 5g protein, 13g carbs (10g fiber, 0g sugar), 9g fat. Good source of calcium (18% DV) and iron (15% DV). Ingredients: organic chia seeds. That’s the whole list — one ingredient, which is exactly what you want.

One honest note on the brand: Monda’s own website is pretty thin — it’s essentially just there to support the Costco listing. So unlike Nutiva, which is an established consumer brand, you’re largely trusting Costco’s supplier vetting here. That doesn’t bother me — Costco’s quality control on Kirkland-adjacent private-label suppliers is generally strong, and the product itself is clean, certified organic chia with a single ingredient. But I’ll be honest that there’s less independent brand history to lean on than there was with Nutiva.

The Brand Before This: Nutiva Organic (Item #1231165) — Discontinued

Was $9.79–$9.99 · 3 lbs · No longer at Costco

For years — roughly 2020 through 2025 — Costco carried Nutiva Organic Chia Seeds, and they were fantastic. We bought them constantly at around $9.79 a bag. This is the honest historical record, because Costco quietly swaps suppliers on products like this all the time, and if you’re searching for the Nutiva bag you used to buy, here’s what happened: it’s gone from Costco, replaced by the Monda Foods bag above.

Nutiva was raw black chia from South and Central America, USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Kosher, Whole30 approved, and gluten-free. Nutrition per 3 Tbsp (30g): 150 calories, 5g protein, 12g carbs (10g fiber), 10g fat, plus calcium, iron, and potassium. Practically identical to the Monda bag now — which makes sense, because chia is chia. The seeds themselves are essentially the same nutritional product regardless of who’s bagging them.

The good news if you preferred Nutiva: it’s still available on Amazon, so you’re not out of luck.

Nutiva Organic Chia Seed, Black, 12 Ounce on Amazon -> Packed with omega-3, protein, rare antioxidants, and fiber. Great in yogurt, oatmeal, baked goods, or smoothies. Can be added to sauces as a thickener, or even used in baked goods as a replacement for egg

Why did Costco switch? Same reason they switch suppliers on lots of products — sourcing, pricing, availability. It’s rarely about quality, and both bags meet the same organic certifications. I’ll keep this post updated as the current brand — so if Costco swaps again down the road, check back and I’ll have the new one reviewed with the old ones kept here as history.

How We Actually Use Chia Seeds

This is why they’re always in our pantry — they’re one of the most useful things we buy. Here’s every way they get used, most-often first:

Chia pudding (the favorite). We make chia pudding constantly — the simple version is chia seeds stirred into Costco Greek yogurt with a drizzle of honey. Let it sit and the seeds swell into a thick, spoonable pudding that’s genuinely filling — protein from the yogurt, fiber and omega-3s from the chia. It’s a nutrient powerhouse that tastes like dessert.

In morning oats/yogurt. Stirred into yogurt or oats with a scoop of chocolate protein first thing in the morning. They thicken everything up and add staying power so you’re not hungry an hour later. Just remember to add extra liquid (more on that below).

As a baking binder. Chia works as an egg-substitute binder — mix with water and it forms a gel. We use it in chocolate muffins sometimes and it works great. Every so often we make meatless lentil burgers and use chia as the binder to hold them together. Both work well.

Straight in water (the digestion flush). Sometimes I just stir a spoonful into a glass of water and drink it. It’s a great way to scrub out your digestive tract — the fiber does real work. Just know you’re committing to a slightly gloopy glass of water.

Two Honest Tips (Learn From My Experience)

1. They soak up a LOT of liquid — plan for it. Chia seeds absorb many times their weight in fluid. That’s the whole point in pudding, but it means if you stir them into oats, yogurt, or water, you need more liquid than you think — add extra water or almond milk, or you’ll end up with a dry, clumpy mess. And if you drink them in plain water, have an extra glass of water on hand, because they’ll keep soaking as they go down.

2. They WILL get stuck in your teeth. This is the one nobody warns you about, and it’s the only real downside of chia. A seed inevitably lodges in a tight spot between your teeth, and then — because it’s chia — it soaks up the moisture in your mouth and expands right there, wedging itself in even tighter. It’s a genuine nuisance. Keep a toothpick or floss handy if you’re eating them somewhere you can’t easily deal with it. Not a dealbreaker, just a fact of chia life.

Why We Keep Them Around

Chia is one of those foods that’s easy, cheap, and genuinely good for you. They’re high in fiber (about 36% DV per serving), a plant-based source of omega-3s, and they bring calcium, iron, and protein along for the ride. They’re versatile enough to disappear into sweet or savory dishes, they store for ages in a cool dry place, and at Costco prices they cost almost nothing per serving.

I’m not a nutritionist and I’m not going to make health claims — a quick search will turn up plenty of information on chia’s benefits if you want the details. I just know they’re an easy, affordable way to add fiber and omega-3s to food we’re already eating, and that’s why there’s always a bag (and a backup) in our pantry.

Can’t Find Them at Costco? (Or No Membership)

The Monda Foods bag is Costco-exclusive — you won’t find that exact brand elsewhere (anything listed online is usually just resellers flipping the Costco bag at a markup, so skip those). If you don’t have a membership or your warehouse is out, these are genuine, highly-rated organic chia options:

BetterBody Foods Organic Chia Seeds 2 lbs, 32 Oz on Amazon -> NUTRIENT POWER: This omega powerhouse is full of other useful nutrients that will help men and women live a better life. In every serving of our chia seeds, you’ll find many nutrients, including omega-3, and fiber, making it a great bonus to any protein shake or juice. Because it is flavor neutral, you can add it to drinks and shakes of all flavors without them clashing
Anthony’s Organic Chia Seeds, 2.5 lb, Gluten Free, Vegan, Keto Friendly on Amazon -> USDA Certified Organic Black Chia Seeds, Batch Tested and Verified Gluten Free, Product of Latin America, Packed in California

That said, if you have a membership, the Costco bag is the better value by a wide margin — 3 pounds for $10.89 is hard to beat.

Frequently Asked Questions

What brand of chia seeds does Costco sell?

As of 2026, Costco carries Monda Foods Organic Chia Seeds (item 1891740, $10.89 for 3 lbs). They previously carried Nutiva Organic (item 1231165) for years, but that’s been discontinued and replaced by Monda.

How much are chia seeds at Costco?

$10.89 for a 3-pound bag (~$3.63/lb) for the current Monda Foods organic chia. That’s a strong value compared to grocery-store prices. They occasionally go on sale.

Are Costco chia seeds organic?

Yes — the current Monda Foods bag is USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Kosher, and gluten-free. The previous Nutiva bag carried the same certifications.

What happened to the Nutiva chia seeds at Costco?

Costco switched suppliers and no longer carries Nutiva — it’s been replaced by Monda Foods Organic. Nutiva is still available on Amazon if you preferred that brand. Costco routinely swaps suppliers on products like this; it’s typically a sourcing decision, not a quality one.

How do you use chia seeds?

Chia pudding (mixed with Greek yogurt or milk and left to thicken), stirred into oats or yogurt, as an egg-substitute binder in baking, in smoothies, or straight in water. They absorb lots of liquid and gel up, so always add extra liquid.

Do chia seeds need to be ground?

No — unlike flax, chia’s nutrients are absorbed whether whole or ground. That said, soaking them in water or milk for about 20 minutes before eating helps maximize absorption and softens them.

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