"I trusted Costco chicken" — now it's facing a class action lawsuit

According to The Financial News, Costco is facing a class action lawsuit in the United States over allegations that it falsely advertised its popular rotisserie chicken as containing "no preservatives." The plaintiffs claim the product in fact includes preservative ingredients and argue that Costco misled consumers.
On the 29th (local time), foreign media including The Independent reported that Anatasia Chernov and Bianca Johnston, residents of the State of California, filed a complaint against Costco in a San Diego court. They challenged what they say is misleading labeling and advertising for the rotisserie chicken that Costco sells for 5 dollars (about 7,100 won).
The plaintiffs argue that Costco promoted its "Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken" as containing no preservatives on in-store signs and its online site. In reality, they say, two preservatives—sodium phosphate and carrageenan—are added to the product.
The complaint states, "The presence of sodium phosphate and carrageenan, which function as preservatives in the rotisserie chicken, contradicts Costco’s ‘no preservatives’ labeling and advertising claims."
They stress that consumers have little choice but to trust the phrase "no added preservatives" when deciding to buy the product, and that it is difficult to know before purchase that the chicken contains preservatives.
They further argue that even if preservative ingredients are listed on the product label, they appear in small print on the back, making it hard for consumers to clearly understand their function. The plaintiffs criticize this minimal disclosure as insufficient to offset the prominent "no preservatives" marketing messages posted throughout the stores.
Wesley M. Griffith, California managing partner at Almeida Law Group, which is representing the plaintiffs, stated, "Consumers rely on clear claims such as 'no preservatives,' especially when deciding what they and their families will eat." He added, "Costco’s own ingredient list contradicts its marketing. That is illegal and unfair."
In response, a Costco spokesperson explained, "To maintain consistency between the rotisserie chicken label, warehouse signage, and our website, we have removed preservative-related language from the signage and website."
The spokesperson added, "We use carrageenan and sodium phosphate to help retain moisture during cooking and to support texture and product consistency," and noted, "Both ingredients have been approved by food safety authorities."


hsg@fnnews.com Han Seung-gon Reporter