Costco Faces Class-Action Lawsuits Over $4.99 Rotisserie Chicken
Costco is currently facing two class-action lawsuits regarding its popular Kirkland Signature Seasoned Rotisserie Chicken, priced at $4.99. This product has enjoyed considerable favoritism among shoppers, with over 157 million units sold in the past year. However, recent legal challenges are putting the spotlight on Costco’s claims about the chicken’s ingredients and its safety standards.
Details of the Lawsuits
The first lawsuit was filed on January 22 in California. It alleges that Costco falsely advertised its rotisserie chicken as preservative-free. Customers are claiming this misrepresentation has resulted in financial losses totaling “tens — if not hundreds — of millions of dollars.” A sign in Costco’s rotisserie department listed the chicken as free of gluten, MSG, preservatives, and artificial additives. However, the chickens reportedly contain carrageenan and sodium phosphate, known food-safe additives intended to maintain moisture and texture during cooking.
In response to the complaints, Costco has removed the preservative-free claims from marketing materials. The company maintains that both additives are approved by food safety authorities.
Second Lawsuit: Salmonella Contamination Claims
Research from December indicated that Costco’s Lincoln Premium Poultry facility reportedly “consistently fails” U.S. Department of Agriculture safety standards. The study revealed that more than 10% of whole birds and 16.67% of chicken breast packages tested positive for salmonella.
Summary of Key Facts
- Product: Kirkland Signature Seasoned Rotisserie Chicken
- Price: $4.99
- Sales: Over 157 million units in the past year
- First Lawsuit Filed: January 22, California
- Second Lawsuit Filed: Recent Thursday, Seattle
- Contaminated Facility: Fremont, Nebraska plant
- Salmonella Testing Results: >10% of whole birds and >16% of chicken breast packages
Both lawsuits are currently ongoing, and Costco has not yet provided a public response to the latest claims about its processing plant. This situation raises important questions about food safety and consumer transparency in the marketplace.
