Costco facing lawsuit for potential salmonella risk in rotisserie chicken

Costco is facing legal action over concerns about potential salmonella contamination in its rotisserie chicken. An animal rights organization has accused the retailer of operating a chicken processing plant in Nebraska that poses a risk to consumers. This lawsuit, filed as a proposed class action, was prompted by a study conducted by Farm Forward in December that highlighted safety issues at Costco’s Lincoln Premium Poultry plant.

The lawsuit alleges that the Fremont, Nebraska plant consistently fails safety standards set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The complaint states that a significant percentage of whole chickens and chicken parts processed at the facility have tested positive for salmonella contamination. Costco’s Kirkland Signature rotisserie chicken, sold for $4.99, has been a popular product used to draw customers into their stores. However, concerns about salmonella contamination have raised doubts about the safety of this product.

With rotisserie chicken sales exceeding 157 million globally in 2025, Costco is facing scrutiny over its handling of food safety. The lawsuit claims that Costco’s failure to address salmonella contamination poses a real danger to consumers and breaches their trust. Although neither Costco nor the Lincoln plant have responded to requests for comment, the plaintiff in the case, Lisa Taylor, believes she overpaid for Costco’s chicken due to the undisclosed contamination risk.

Lisa Taylor, a resident of Affton, Missouri, filed the complaint in Seattle federal court seeking compensatory and triple damages for shoppers who purchased Kirkland Signature rotisserie chicken and raw chicken parts since January 1, 2019. The lawsuit alleges that Costco violated Washington consumer protection laws and breached an implied promise of food safety to its customers. This legal action is the second class action lawsuit brought against Costco in recent months. The previous lawsuit, filed in San Diego federal court, claimed that Costco falsely advertised its rotisserie chicken as preservative-free despite containing carrageenan and sodium phosphate.

Farm Forward, the organization behind the study that sparked the legal action, was established in 2007 with a mission to end factory farming by advocating for changes in farming practices and policies. The lawsuit against Costco sheds light on the importance of food safety regulations and the responsibility of companies to uphold consumer trust. As the legal proceedings unfold, the outcome of these cases will have implications for Costco and its handling of food safety concerns in the future.