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They are cheap. There are many. They are sold in greasy plastic bags and they are – by all accounts – delicious.
With food prices skyrocketing and the economy in turmoil, Costco rotisserie chickens They are a reliable food staple for many. But a A new charge According to the California court, the retailer has a choice in how to promote the cooked birds he likes.
That class-action suit, filed Jan. 22 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California and seen by CBC News, alleges that the retail giant systematically misled customers by falsely advertising that “ten’s — if not hundreds — of Kirkland’s signature rotisserie chickens had no preservatives.”
The lawsuit, which has not yet been proven as a class action, alleges Costco uses sodium phosphate and carrageenan, which extend shelf life and preserve texture. Costco has made sure to use these common ingredients correctly.
And while the two ingredients are common in prepared foods, and Federal regulators Canada lists them as safe, including health, the lawsuit says, saying the chickens don’t use preservatives is misleading.
The two California women who filed the lawsuits complained that they were not buying the chicken or were paying less.
The lawsuit includes photo examples of chickens in stores and online claiming they have “no preservatives.” And images of Costco rotisserie chickens previously seen by CBC News on various photo services make similar claims.
“Consumers rightly rely on clear and prominent claims like ‘no defenses,'” said Wesley M. Griffiths of Almeida Law Group, which represents the plaintiffs. Online statement.
“Costco’s own ingredient list is against the market, that’s illegal, and that’s unfair.”
In a statement to CBC News, Costco said it has removed references to “no preservatives” from its labeling and signs.
“We use carrageenan and sodium phosphate to support moisture retention, texture and product strength during cooking. Both ingredients are approved by food safety authorities.”
Looking for a certificate for 2 classes
Griffiths said in an online statement that his legal team was pleased that Costco dropped the claim, saying the chickens had no defense.
“It’s a vindication of our main legal theory — that the ‘no wait’ claim was false,” Griffiths said.
He did not respond to CBC’s request for comment on whether the class action would be pursued. The complaint says the plaintiffs want a jury trial and are seeking certification in two classes — one for anyone in the U.S. who buys a Costco rotisserie chicken and a subset for people in California.
The two California women who filed the lawsuit said in the complaint that they both still plan to buy Costco rotisserie chickens in the future, but that they “cannot rely on Costco’s representations regarding the protection of the product.”
Both women prefer to buy preservative-free foods, the lawsuit said.
Health Canada’s mandatory front-of-pack came into effect on Jan. 1, and that means foods high in fat, sugar and/or sodium now come with a warning. With Canada’s rates of obesity, diabetes and heart disease, the subtle warning is getting mixed reviews.
California has seen a big push for health-oriented consumer products and labels, becoming the first US state to do so. ban four potentially harmful additives by 2023; And robbed Highly processed foods and food dyes in school meals.
Health Canada regulates the use of additives in Canadian food. They are sodium phosphate and carrageenan Both are listed on the approved list “emulsifying, gelling, stabilizing or thickening agents.”
The two are used in everything from dairy products and babies to “processed meat”.
Grocery sticker shock
Canadians have been dealing with sticker shock for years. Grocery prices It has increased by more than 30 percent since 2020; According to the most recent data from Statistics Canada. Meat, in particular, is one The main drivers of price increaseReports indicate that the trend will continue in 2026.
Costco is suing the Trump administration, seeking a full refund of the tariffs it paid. But the wholesaler’s lawsuit will depend on the outcome of a separate case currently before the US Supreme Court.
So, as the famous $1.50 food court hot dogOne of the main draws of Costco’s cooked chickens is the relatively consistent price. American stores sell chickens $4.99 USD for decades. It’s more like $7.99 to $9.00 in Canada, which is still less than worth it. Equivalent cooked chickens Sold at other major grocery stores.
And Canadian consumers seem to love them, with one Costco fan on Reddit Describing the “faint smell of rotisserie chicken that leads you forward like incense” upon entering the store. online, People share tips. How to lay a chicken inside Many foods.
In the year By 2023, Costco will have sold 137 million rotisserie chickens The Seattle Times.