Costco Sued Over Rotisserie Chicken Salmonella Allegations

Nonprofit claims contamination at Nebraska plant, lawsuit alleges consumer deception

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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A proposed class action lawsuit has been filed against Costco, alleging the retailer failed to disclose ongoing salmonella contamination issues at its Nebraska chicken processing plant. The plaintiff claims she routinely purchased Costco's $4.99 rotisserie chickens and believes she overpaid due to the undisclosed contamination risk.

Why it matters

Costco's rotisserie chicken is a major revenue driver for the company, with over 157 million chickens sold worldwide in 2025. This lawsuit raises concerns about food safety and transparency, potentially impacting consumer trust in Costco's brand and operations.

The details

The lawsuit, filed by Lisa Taylor of Affton, Missouri, cites a December study from an animal rights nonprofit that allegedly found ongoing salmonella contamination issues at Costco's Nebraska chicken processing plant. The complaint states that "Costco's failure to control salmonella in its chicken supply is not a harmless technicality—it poses a real danger to consumers and violates their trust." Taylor says she routinely bought one or two Costco rotisserie chickens per month and believes she overpaid due to the undisclosed contamination risk.

  • The lawsuit was filed on Thursday, February 16, 2026.
  • Costco reported that $4.99 rotisserie chicken sales topped 157 million worldwide in 2025.

The players

Lisa Taylor

A resident of Affton, Missouri who is the plaintiff in the proposed class action lawsuit against Costco.

Costco

A major retail warehouse club chain that sells a popular $4.99 rotisserie chicken, which is alleged to have salmonella contamination issues at the company's Nebraska processing plant.

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What they’re saying

“Costco's failure to control salmonella in its chicken supply is not a harmless technicality—it poses a real danger to consumers and violates their trust.”

— Lisa Taylor, Plaintiff (Reuters)

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the importance of food safety and transparency, especially for a major retailer like Costco that relies heavily on rotisserie chicken sales. The allegations could undermine consumer trust if proven true, underscoring the need for rigorous quality control and disclosure practices in the food industry.