Some Costco customers are crying fowl over the big-box chain’s popular $4.99 rotisserie chickens, saying they contain preservatives in spite of the company’s claims to the contrary, according to a new lawsuit.
Two California-based people say Costco “has systematically cheated” consumers “out of tens — if not hundreds — of millions of dollars” by advertising the poultry as being free of preservatives.
The class-action lawsuit, filed last week in San Diego federal court, alleges that Costco makes the claim despite the fact that the rotisserie chickens contain sodium phosphate and carrageenan.
Costco is also being accused of capitalizing on growing consumer demand for “clean label” and preservative-free products.
By marketing the chicken as a healthy option, the company allegedly induced millions of shoppers to purchase a product they would have otherwise avoided — all while concealing the true nature of the ingredients, it was alleged.
A spokesperson for Costco told The Post: “To maintain consistency among the labeling on our rotisserie chickens and the signs in our warehouses/on-line presentations, we have removed statements concerning preservatives from the signs and on-line presentations.”
“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 health regulators allow both ingredients to be used in foods, they are not without controversy.
Sodium phosphate is widely used in processed meats to retain moisture and improve texture, and is permitted by federal food regulators.
Health researchers have warned that high intake of phosphate additives may pose risks for people with kidney disease.
The additives have been linked in studies to cardiovascular concerns, leading some public-health advocates to urge limits on their use in processed foods.
Carrageenan, a seaweed-derived additive used to stabilize and thicken foods, is also approved for use but has long been debated in scientific circles.
Some studies have linked carrageenan consumption to inflammation and digestive issues, while other researchers say food-grade carrageenan is safe at typical consumption levels, noting that harmful effects have been associated with a degraded form not used in food.
Costco’s rotisserie chicken is wildly popoular.
The warehouse giant sells well over 100 million birds a year, making it one of the most widely purchased prepared foods in the country and a near-guaranteed add-on in millions of shopping carts every week.
Priced at $4.99 for more than a decade, the company has famously refused to raise prices despite inflation, supply-chain disruptions and rising labor-related expenses, turning the chicken into a cult favorite and a benchmark for bargain hunters.
The retailer is known to place rotisserie chickens at the back of its cavernous warehouses, forcing customers to pass rows of higher-margin goods — a strategy that has made the chicken one of the most effective loss leaders in modern retail.
