Costco Faces Lawsuit Over Allegedly Mislabeling Its Kirkland Rotisserie Chicken as Having 'No Preservatives'

Two California women have filed a class action lawsuit against Costco, claiming the retailer falsely advertised its Kirkland Signature Seasoned Rotisserie Chicken as containing “no preservatives.” The plaintiffs, Bianca Johnston and Anastasia Chernov, allege the chicken contains sodium phosphate and carrageenan, both of which function as preservatives by maintaining texture, extending shelf life, and controlling pH levels. They argue that Costco violated consumer protection laws in California and Washington by misleading customers. The lawsuit includes photographic evidence of the misleading “no preservatives” labeling both in stores and online.

Costco has since removed the signage claiming the chicken contains no preservatives, stating they use carrageenan and sodium phosphate to maintain moisture, texture, and consistency, and that both ingredients are approved by food safety authorities. The plaintiffs claim they would not have purchased the chicken had they known about the preservatives and are seeking class certification for anyone in the United States who purchased the product, as well as a special subclass for California residents. They are also seeking unspecified monetary damages.

(Source：People.com)