Overview
- A Jan. 22 complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California alleges Costco falsely advertised its Kirkland rotisserie chicken as preservative‑free despite listing sodium phosphate and carrageenan.
- Plaintiffs argue prominent in‑store signs and website claims created a misleading overall impression, while the additives appeared in smaller, less prominent print on the label.
- The suit seeks nationwide class certification with a California subclass, unspecified monetary damages, and cites consumer‑protection laws in California and Washington.
- Costco says it removed “no preservatives” statements from warehouse signs and online listings, noting the additives support moisture, texture, and consistency and are approved by food‑safety authorities.
- The $4.99 chicken is a high‑volume staple for Costco, and no hearings or court rulings have been reported as the proposed class action proceeds.