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Costco Faces Lawsuit Over Misleading Rotisserie Chicken Claims

1/29/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A class-action lawsuit filed in San Diego accuses Costco Wholesale Corporation (Costco) of misleading customers about Costco's $4.99 rotisserie chickens, claiming they are preservative-free.
Two California customers allege Costco concealed sodium phosphate and carrageenan, cheating consumers out of millions.
The additives are approved by food safety authorities, though they raise health concerns.
Costco removed preservative claims from signage, while saying the ingredients are used for moisture retention and texture.

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Story summary

A class-action lawsuit filed in San Diego accuses Costco Wholesale Corporation (Costco) of misleading customers about Costco's $4.99 rotisserie chickens, claiming they are preservative-free.
Two California customers allege Costco concealed sodium phosphate and carrageenan, cheating consumers out of millions.
The additives are approved by food safety authorities, though they raise health concerns.
Costco removed preservative claims from signage, while saying the ingredients are used for moisture retention and texture.