Warehouse retailer Costco faces a class-action lawsuit over its Kirkland Signature Seasoned Rotisserie Chicken.

The lawsuit alleges that Costco falsely advertised the popular food item as containing no preservatives.

Fox Business has more:

The lawsuit, filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, alleges that Costco’s in-store signage and website “create an overall net impression that the Rotisserie Chicken does not contain added preservatives.” But the suit further claims those representations are false, arguing that “the Rotisserie Chicken is made with two added preservatives—sodium phosphate and carrageenan.”

“The presence of sodium phosphate and carrageenan, added preservatives which function as such in the Rotisserie Chicken, contradict the overall net impression that Costco’s ‘No Preservatives’ representations and advertising create,” the lawsuit, filed on behalf of Anatasia Chernov and Bianca Johnston, states.

The plaintiffs argued that customers, including themselves, make purchasing decisions based on whether a food product is “preservative free” and that they were unable to determine prior to buying the chicken if it contains added preservatives.

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“Consumers reasonably rely on clear, prominent claims like ‘No Preservatives,’ especially when deciding what they and their families will eat,” Wesley Griffith, California managing partner at the Almeida Law Group LLC who is representing the plaintiffs, told Fox Business.

“Costco’s own ingredient list contradicts its marketing. Our lawsuit seeks to hold Costco accountable for deceiving its customers,” he added.

The U.S. Sun shared further:

Assuming the class action lawsuit is settled, it’s possible that thousands of members who purchased the Kirkland Signature Seasoned Rotisserie Chicken would be eligible for cash compensation.

Only time will tell, but it wouldn’t be the first time that the warehouse retailer has faced legal action recently.

Costco, along with Safeway and Albertsons, is collectively paying certain Americans $1 million in a separate class action settlement.

The three giants were accused of violating California labor laws through a failure to provide meal and rest breaks to select employees, along with allegedly not paying them appropriate wages.

While Costco, Albertsons, and Safeway denied any wrongdoing, they all agreed to the settlement amount to resolve the claims.

About 1,335 workers in the state who were employed between June 12, 2015, and November 4, 2025, can qualify for a direct payment.

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The amount is based on the number of shifts worked during the class period and the company they were employed by.

A deadline to file a claim through the settlement website is set for March 3, 2026.

 

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