Case Overview: A class action lawsuit alleges Costco knowingly sold rotisserie chickens contaminated with Salmonella, exposing consumers to serious foodborne illness.

Consumers Affected: Costco members who purchased rotisserie chickens from Costco warehouse locations

Court: Not yet confirmed

Costco Faces Class Action Over Salmonella Contamination in $4.99 Rotisserie Chickens

A new class action lawsuit alleges that Costco's popular $4.99 rotisserie chickens were contaminated with Salmonella — and that the warehouse retail giant knew about the risk. According to a recent report on the class action filing, the lawsuit claims Costco continued selling the product despite awareness of the potential contamination, putting unsuspecting shoppers at risk of serious illness.

Lawsuit Alleges Costco Knew of Contamination Risk

At the heart of the complaint is the allegation that Costco was aware its rotisserie chickens carried a risk of Salmonella contamination yet continued to offer them for sale. The lawsuit claims this conduct put consumers in harm's way and constitutes a failure to meet the basic safety obligations any food retailer owes to its customers.

The complaint does not allege an isolated incident. Rather, the lawsuit characterizes the contamination issue as a recurring problem — one the plaintiff argues Costco should have disclosed or addressed before placing the products in the hands of shoppers.

Costco's Rotisserie Chicken: An Iconic and Widely Purchased Product

Few grocery items in the United States are as recognizable as Costco's rotisserie chicken. Priced at $4.99 — a price point Costco has famously held steady for years — the chickens are among the most purchased prepared food items the retailer sells. Costco has reportedly sold hundreds of millions of these chickens, making the potential scope of consumer exposure significant.

The product's popularity means that if the allegations in the lawsuit hold up, the number of affected consumers could be substantial. The lawsuit seeks to represent a class of Costco members who purchased the rotisserie chickens and may have been exposed to the alleged contamination.

What Is Salmonella — and Why Does It Matter?

Salmonella is a bacterium commonly associated with undercooked or improperly handled poultry. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Salmonella infection — known as salmonellosis — causes an estimated 1.35 million illnesses, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths in the United States every year.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection typically include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, and can appear six hours to six days after exposure. While most healthy adults recover without treatment, the illness can be severe or life-threatening for young children, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

The lawsuit's contamination allegations raise broader concerns about food safety practices in high-volume prepared food operations, where large quantities of product are cooked and stored daily.

No Public Response From Costco

As of this writing, Costco has not issued a public statement addressing the lawsuit's allegations. The company has not confirmed or denied the claims outlined in the complaint. It is common for defendants in class action litigation to deny allegations and contest the merits of the case.

A Growing Pattern of Food Safety Litigation

This lawsuit is the latest in a string of class actions targeting major retailers and food brands over alleged contamination and food safety failures. Courts have seen increased scrutiny of prepared food products in recent years, with plaintiffs arguing that high-volume food production environments can create conditions where contamination risks go undetected — or unaddressed.

Regulatory agencies including the FDA and USDA continue to issue guidance on safe handling of poultry products, and the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) maintains ongoing oversight of poultry processing and retail food safety standards.

Related Cases

• PFAS Found in Food Packaging: What Consumers Should Know
• Trader Joe's Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Undisclosed Contaminants
• Tyson Foods Faces Litigation Over Poultry Safety Practices

Lawsuit: [Plaintiff Name Pending] v. Costco Wholesale Corporation

Case Number: Not yet confirmed

Court: Not yet confirmed

Plaintiffs' Attorney(s): Not yet confirmed

Have you purchased a rotisserie chicken from Costco? Share your experience in the comments below.

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