ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco’s Kirkland rotisserie chickens are at the center of a nationwide class action lawsuit.
Costco had advertised that there are “no preservatives” in the chicken.
On Jan. 22, two consumers filed a lawsuit in a Southern California district court, alleging the Issaquah-based company falsely advertised its Kirkland Signature Seasoned Rotisserie Chicken, saying the chickens contain sodium phosphate and carrageenan, which function as preservatives, according to PR Newswire.
The lawsuit says Costco has “systemically cheated customers out of tens—if not hundreds—of millions of dollars,” by prominently marketing the rotisserie chicken as preservative–free in stores and online.
In a statement released to USA Today on Wednesday, Costco said,
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,” the company said. “We use carrageenan and sodium phosphate to support moisture retention, texture, and product consistency during cooking. Both ingredients are approved by food safety authorities.
Costco also told USA Today that the company has since removed the “preservative-free” signage.
