Costco's iconic $4.99 rotisserie chicken, a staple for millions of shoppers, is now embroiled in a significant new legal battle. A class-action lawsuit filed in Seattle federal court alleges that the retailer's Nebraska processing plant is contaminated with salmonella, posing a serious risk to consumers.
Lawsuit Details and Allegations
The complaint, filed by plaintiff Lisa Taylor of Affton, Missouri, cites a December study by the nonprofit Farm Forward. This report criticises safety conditions at Costco's Lincoln Premium Poultry plant in Fremont, Nebraska. The facility, which opened in 2019, processes over 100 million chickens annually.
The lawsuit claims the plant "consistently" violates U.S. Department of Agriculture safety standards. According to the filing, over 9.8 percent of whole chickens and 15.4 percent of chicken parts from the facility have tested positive for salmonella. Taylor, who regularly purchased one or two rotisserie chickens monthly from St. Louis-area warehouses, asserts she overpaid because Costco failed to disclose the contamination risk.
Legal Claims and Consumer Impact
Taylor is seeking compensatory and triple damages for shoppers who purchased Kirkland Signature rotisserie chickens and raw chicken parts since January 1, 2019. The lawsuit argues that Costco violated Washington consumer protection laws and breached an implied promise that its chickens are safe for consumption.
This legal action follows a separate class-action lawsuit filed in California last month. That case alleges Costco falsely advertised its Kirkland Signature rotisserie chickens as preservative-free, citing the presence of sodium phosphate and carrageenan.
Costco's Response and Ingredient Controversy
Regarding the preservative allegations, a Costco spokesperson previously stated to The Independent: "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 added: "We use carrageenan and sodium phosphate to support moisture retention, texture, and product consistency during cooking. Both ingredients are approved by food safety authorities."
While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration deems sodium phosphate generally safe for healthy individuals, it may pose risks for people with kidney disease. Carrageenan, derived from red seaweed, is considered safe by the FDA in its food-grade form, though some studies link it to digestive issues.
Market Context and Sales Figures
Costco's rotisserie chicken remains a colossal commercial success. The company reported global sales of more than 157 million birds in 2025 at last month's annual meeting. The $4.99 price point has made it a legendary loss-leader, driving significant foot traffic to warehouses worldwide.
The Independent has contacted Costco for comment on the new salmonella-related lawsuit. The outcome of these legal challenges could have substantial implications for the retailer's reputation and its highly popular prepared foods division.
