California Shoppers File Lawsuit Claiming Costco Misleads Customers with Preservative-Free Rotisserie Chicken Marketing Across the United States

A class-action lawsuit has been filed in California against Costco, alleging the retailer deceptively marketed its Kirkland Signature Seasoned Rotisserie Chicken as containing “no preservatives.” Plaintiffs Bianca Johnston and Anastasia Chernov claim they purchased the chicken believing it was free of added chemical ingredients, relying on prominent in-store and online signage. The lawsuit points to the presence of carrageenan and sodium phosphate on the ingredient list, arguing these contradict the “no preservatives” claim, despite being approved by the FDA.

The plaintiffs further contend that these ingredients raise health concerns for some consumers, and that Costco’s marketing encouraged them to pay a premium for what they believed was a healthier product. The lawsuit accuses Costco of violating consumer protection laws in California and Washington State and seeks refunds for affected customers, as well as the return of profits allegedly earned through false claims.

Costco has acknowledged the issue and removed the “no preservatives” wording from its signage and online listings, stating the ingredients are used for texture and moisture and are approved by food safety authorities. However, the plaintiffs argue this is insufficient and are seeking a court order to halt the misleading advertising. Given Costco sells over 100 million rotisserie chickens annually, the potential financial impact of the lawsuit is significant.

(Source：Event Coverage)