Costco sued in suit claiming false ‘no preservatives’ advertising in chicken

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (KESQ) - A proposed class action lawsuit has been filed in San Diego federal court against Costco, which accuses the retail giant of falsely advertising that its Kirkland Signature Seasoned Rotisserie Chicken contains no preservatives, court papers revealed Friday.

The complaint filed Thursday on behalf of Escondido resident Anatasia Chernov and Big Bear resident Bianca Johnston alleges that Costco's website and in-store signs state the chickens contain "no preservatives'' despite the presence of additives sodium phosphate and carrageenan.   

The lawsuit states neither plaintiff would have purchased the chicken or would have paid less if they had known the additives were present, but also that Costco has "systemically cheated customers out of tens - if not hundreds -- of millions of dollars'' through the alleged false advertising.

Plaintiffs' attorney Wesley M. Griffith said in a statement, "Consumers reasonably rely on clear, prominent claims like 'No Preservatives,' especially when deciding what they and their families will eat. Costco's own
ingredient list contradicts its marketing. That's unlawful, and it's unfair."