Warehouse retailer Costco faces a class-action lawsuit accusing the company of falsely advertising its Kirkland Signature Seasoned Rotisserie Chicken as containing no preservatives. The lawsuit, filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, alleges that Costco’s in-store signage and website create an overall net impression that the chicken lacks added preservatives—a claim the suit states is false.

Plaintiffs Anatasia Chernov and Bianca Johnston argue that customers rely on clear marketing like “No Preservatives” when making purchasing decisions and were unable to determine whether the product contains additives prior to buying. The lawsuit specifies that the Rotisserie Chicken actually includes two preservatives: sodium phosphate and carrageenan, which function as such in the product.

“Costco’s own ingredient list contradicts its marketing,” said Wesley Griffith, California managing partner at Almeida Law Group LLC, who represents the plaintiffs. “Consumers reasonably rely on clear, prominent claims like ‘No Preservatives,’ especially when deciding what they and their families will eat.” The suit seeks accountability for deceptive practices that misled customers.

While a settlement would potentially provide cash compensation to thousands of Costco members who purchased the chicken, the company has faced similar legal challenges recently. In a separate class action, Costco, Safeway, and Albertsons collectively paid $1 million to resolve claims involving California labor law violations related to meal and rest breaks. Approximately 1,335 workers employed between June 2015 and November 2025 may qualify for payments under that settlement, with applications due by March 2026.