A Costco customer has filed a proposed class-action lawsuit against the wholesale giant, alleging that the company misled shoppers by marketing a popular frozen pasta product as preservative-free despite it containing a chemically manufactured additive.
The lawsuit, filed by Sydney Turner in a California federal court on April 29, centers on the Kirkland Signature Five Cheese Tortelloni with Parmigiano Reggiano. According to legal documents, the product prominently features a “no preservatives” claim on its packaging, which Turner argues is contradicted by the inclusion of manufactured citric acid on the ingredient panel.
Turner purchased the frozen tortelloni in December 2023, relying on the marketing claim. She alleges she would not have purchased the product, or would have paid less for it, had she known it contained an industrial preservative. The lawsuit argues that manufactured citric acid is produced through industrial fermentation and heavy chemical processing, rather than being naturally extracted from fruit, which the complaint states is not commercially feasible.
Allegations of Misleading Marketing
The complaint focuses on the Kirkland Signature Five Cheese Tortelloni, arguing that its “no preservatives” packaging is directly contradicted by the industrial additive listed on the back label. Turner alleges that the citric acid used in the product is manufactured using a genetically modified black mold called Aspergillus niger, citing studies and reports that link the ingredient to potential health risks.
Turner is seeking class-action certification on behalf of a nationwide class of consumers who purchased the product, as well as subclasses of consumers in certain states. The lawsuit seeks damages, fees, costs, and a jury trial.
Separate Lawsuit Over Import Tariffs
This complaint follows another class-action lawsuit filed against Costco earlier this year. In March, a proposed class-action lawsuit filed in Washington federal court accused the retailer of unjustly keeping financial benefits from federal import tariffs that were struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court.
The dispute stemmed from duties imposed by the Trump administration in February 2025. According to the complaint, Costco raised prices on imported goods to pass the tax burden directly to shoppers, but failed to commit to refunding those same customers after the Supreme Court ruled the tariffs unlawful in February 2026.
The Independent has contacted Costco for comment.
