Costco Brought to Court Over Claims Their Rotisserie Chicken Contains “No Preservatives”
Wholesale retailer Costco is being sued over its claims that their well-known rotisserie chicken contains “no preservatives,” which are being challenged via a lawsuit that was filed in a California federal court on Thursday, January 22.
The complaint – brought by two California women, Bianca Johnston of Big Bear and Anastasia Chernov of Escondido – asserts that Costco’s $4.99 Kirkland Signature Seasoned Rotisserie Chicken, in contrast to the product’s signage and online listings, contains preservatives such as sodium phosphate and carrageenan.
The plaintiffs say that consumers nationwide have been lied to by the company’s allegedly deceptive marketing practices, with the lawsuit purporting that “Costco Wholesale Corporation has systemically cheated customers out of tens — if not hundreds — of millions of dollars.”
Costco had previously proclaimed that their chickens lack artificial flavors, colors, MSG, or gluten, according to photos submitted with court documents; however, preservatives are indeed listed on the chicken’s packaging, albeit in smaller print on the back.
Both Johnston and Chernov said that they both prefer to purchase preservative-free foods, and would never have bought Costco’s rotisserie chicken if they had been aware of its actual artificial additives.
Since the lawsuit was filed, Costco has done away with their “no preservatives” claims on store signage and on their website.
When reached for comment by media, a Costco spokesperson confirmed what type of preservatives the company’s chickens do indeed possess, saying “We use carrageenan and sodium phosphate to support moisture retention, texture, and product consistency during cooking. Both ingredients are approved by food safety authorities.”
The lawsuit alleges that Costco has violated California and Washington’s consumer protection and false advertising laws; the plaintiffs are seeking unspecified monetary damages.
