In a striking legal development, Costco is entangled in a class-action lawsuit concerning the safety of its widely popular rotisserie chickens. The lawsuit, initiated by two customers, alleges that the retailer’s processing plant in Nebraska is tainted with salmonella, raising serious questions about food safety and consumer trust.
Legal Claims and Controversial Findings
On Thursday, the lawsuit was filed in federal court in Seattle by plaintiff Lisa Taylor from Affton, Missouri. Taylor’s allegations are grounded in a December study conducted by Farm Forward, which scrutinised the safety protocols at Costco’s Lincoln Premium Poultry plant, operational since 2019. The study found alarming levels of contamination, revealing that over 9.8% of whole chickens and 15.4% of chicken parts tested positive for salmonella.
Taylor contends that she has regularly purchased Kirkland Signature rotisserie chickens from Costco’s St. Louis-area warehouses and believes she has been financially misled due to the retailer’s alleged failure to disclose the contamination risk. “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,” the complaint states, emphasising the potential risks to public health.
Seeking Compensation for Consumers
The lawsuit is not merely a call for accountability but also seeks compensatory and triple damages for customers who have purchased Kirkland Signature rotisserie chickens and raw chicken parts since January 1, 2019. The claim accuses Costco of breaching Washington consumer protection laws and breaking an implied promise regarding the safety of its products.
Costco’s rotisserie chicken, famously priced at £4.99, has enjoyed immense popularity, with the company reporting global sales of over 157 million units in 2025. However, this latest lawsuit follows another class-action suit filed in California last month, where customers alleged that the chickens were falsely advertised as preservative-free.
The Controversy Over Preservatives
The California lawsuit highlights concerns over the presence of sodium phosphate and carrageenan in the rotisserie chickens, both of which are added preservatives that contradict Costco’s claims of having no preservatives. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers sodium phosphate safe for most individuals, it poses potential risks for those with kidney disease. Similarly, while carrageenan is deemed safe for consumption, it has been linked in some studies to digestive issues and inflammation.
In response to the allegations from California, 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 from the signs and online presentations.” The spokesperson further defended the use of the additives, asserting that both are approved by food safety authorities for use in food products.
Implications for Consumer Trust
As this legal battle unfolds, it raises critical questions about the integrity of food safety standards in the U.S. food supply chain. Consumers rely heavily on retailers to provide safe, high-quality products, and any breach of this trust can have far-reaching consequences.
The lawsuits against Costco could signify a growing awareness and concern among consumers regarding food safety practices, potentially prompting stricter regulations and greater scrutiny of processing plants across the nation.
Why it Matters
This situation serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in the food industry. As consumers, we have the right to expect that the products we purchase are safe and accurately labelled. The outcome of these lawsuits could reshape not only Costco’s business practices but also influence broader industry standards, reiterating the need for rigorous safety measures to protect public health. As investigations continue, the focus remains on ensuring that consumer trust is not just maintained but fortified in the face of such alarming allegations.
