Costco customers who bought rotisserie chicken could receive money after ‘false advertising’ lawsuit advances
Costco customers who have indulged in their famous rotisserie chicken may soon find themselves in line for a monetary reward. A recent lawsuit has gained traction, accusing the warehouse retailer of falsely advertising its popular Kirkland Signature Seasoned Rotisserie Chicken.
The suit, filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of California, claims that Costco made misleading claims that its rotisserie chicken contains no added preservatives. However, the plaintiffs argue that the chicken does, in fact, contain two added preservatives: sodium phosphate and carrageenan. Despite the in-store signs and website details suggesting the absence of preservatives in the chicken, this lawsuit challenges the accuracy of Costco’s marketing claims.
According to the plaintiffs, customers often rely on clear and prominent labels like “no preservatives” when making food purchase decisions for themselves and their families. They emphasize that any mention of the added preservatives was only found in small print on the back of the nutritional label, without a clear explanation for their inclusion. As a result, the lawsuit contends that these smaller disclosures are not prominently displayed enough to counteract the broader “no preservatives” advertisements. This discrepancy between the marketing claims and the actual ingredient list is a significant point of contention in the legal battle.
Wesley Griffith, representing the plaintiffs, has called out Costco for what he perceives as deceptive practices, holding the company accountable for misleading its customers. He asserts that Costco’s own ingredient list contradicts its marketing claims, and the lawsuit seeks to address this disparity between their advertising and product composition. If the lawsuit reaches a settlement, potentially thousands of Costco members who purchased the Kirkland Signature Seasoned Rotisserie Chicken could be eligible for financial compensation.
This legal challenge comes amidst other recent legal troubles for major retailers like Costco. In a separate class action settlement, Costco, along with Safeway and Albertsons, agreed to pay out $1 million to certain Americans for alleged violations of California labor laws. This agreement involved accusations of denying meal and rest breaks to employees and failing to provide appropriate wages, although the companies denied any wrongdoing. Approximately 1,335 workers in the state may be eligible for direct payment based on their shifts worked during the specified period and the company they were employed by, with a deadline for filing claims set for March 3, 2026.
As these legal battles unfold, it remains to be seen how they will impact the reputation and operations of these retail giants. Customers, especially Costco members who have purchased the Kirkland Signature Seasoned Rotisserie Chicken, will be watching closely as these lawsuits progress and potential settlements are reached.