Costco is under fire as it finds itself at the centre of a class-action lawsuit that accuses the retail giant of failing to disclose salmonella contamination risks associated with its popular rotisserie chickens. Filed in Seattle federal court, the lawsuit highlights serious concerns regarding food safety at Costco’s Nebraska processing plant, raising questions about consumer trust and corporate responsibility.
Allegations of Contamination
The lawsuit, initiated by plaintiff Lisa Taylor from Affton, Missouri, points to a December report from the animal rights organisation Farm Forward. The study scrutinised conditions at Costco’s Lincoln Premium Poultry plant, which has been in operation since 2019 and processes over 100 million chickens every year. According to the complaint, a staggering 9.8% of whole chickens and 15.4% of chicken parts from this facility have tested positive for salmonella, a pathogen that poses significant health risks.
Taylor claims to have been a regular customer of Costco, purchasing one or two rotisserie chickens each month from St. Louis-area warehouses. She argues that the retailer’s lack of transparency regarding potential contamination led her to overpay for a product she believed to be safe. “Costco’s failure to control salmonella in its chicken supply is not a harmless technicality—it poses a real danger to consumers and violates their trust,” asserts the lawsuit.
Seeking Damages
The suit seeks both compensatory and triple damages for customers who have purchased Kirkland Signature rotisserie chickens and raw chicken parts since January 1, 2019. Taylor contends that Costco has violated Washington’s consumer protection laws and broken an implied promise of food safety.
With Costco’s rotisserie chicken priced at just £4.99, the company has sold over 157 million of these birds globally in 2025 alone, according to figures shared at its recent annual meeting. The lawsuit’s implications could therefore be vast, potentially affecting a significant number of consumers who rely on Costco for affordable meal options.
Previous Legal Challenges
This latest lawsuit follows a similar complaint filed in California, where two customers alleged that Costco misled them by advertising the Kirkland Signature rotisserie chickens as preservative-free. They claimed that ingredients such as sodium phosphate and carrageenan—both of which are indeed preservatives—contradict the overall impression created by Costco’s marketing.
While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers sodium phosphate safe for most individuals, it may present risks for those with kidney issues. Carrageenan, derived from red seaweed and used to thicken and preserve food, has also come under scrutiny, with some studies suggesting potential links to digestive problems and inflammation.
In response to the California lawsuit, a Costco spokesperson stated, “To maintain consistency among the labeling on our rotisserie chickens and the signs in our warehouses/online presentations, we have removed statements concerning preservatives.” They further clarified that both sodium phosphate and carrageenan are approved by food safety authorities and are used to enhance moisture retention and product consistency during cooking.
Consumer Trust at Stake
The unfolding legal challenges against Costco underscore a critical issue in the food industry: consumer confidence. As shoppers increasingly seek transparency in the products they purchase, allegations of hidden risks could have lasting effects on the retailer’s reputation.
Why it Matters
The ramifications of this lawsuit extend beyond Costco’s financials; they highlight the broader implications of food safety standards and consumer rights. In an era where people are more health-conscious than ever, the expectation for transparency and safety in food products is paramount. As the case develops, it could potentially reshape how retailers communicate about the safety of their products, ensuring that consumer trust is not just earned but upheld.
