Class-action lawsuit alleges Costco's rotisserie chicken poses salmonella risk

Lawsuit claims Costco's Nebraska chicken processing plant fails USDA salmonella safety standards

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Costco alleging that its popular rotisserie chicken may pose a salmonella risk due to contamination issues at the company's chicken processing plant in Nebraska. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Seattle, cites a study by the nonprofit organization Farm Forward that claims Costco's Lincoln Premium Poultry plant "consistently fails USDA salmonella safety standards year after year" and distributes "unsafe chickens to stores nationwide."

Why it matters

Costco's $4.99 rotisserie chicken is a major loss-leader that attracts customers to its stores, with the company selling over 157 million rotisserie chickens worldwide in 2025. This lawsuit raises serious concerns about the safety of Costco's chicken supply and could potentially impact consumer trust and the company's bottom line if the allegations are proven true.

The details

The lawsuit was filed by plaintiff Lisa Taylor, who regularly purchased Costco's rotisserie chickens in the St. Louis area and claims she "suffered economic injury" by overpaying for potentially contaminated chicken. The lawsuit seeks damages for Costco customers who have purchased rotisserie chicken and raw chicken parts since January 1, 2019. This is the second legal battle Costco is facing over its rotisserie chicken, with a separate lawsuit previously filed accusing the retailer of falsely advertising the chicken as containing "no preservatives" when it actually contains two added preservatives.

  • The class-action lawsuit was filed in federal court in Seattle on February 12, 2026.
  • The lawsuit cites a study by Farm Forward that claims Costco's Nebraska plant has "consistently failed USDA salmonella safety standards year after year."

The players

Costco

A large wholesale retailer that sells a popular $4.99 rotisserie chicken, which has become a major loss-leader to attract customers to its stores.

Farm Forward

A nonprofit organization that conducted a study claiming Costco's Nebraska chicken processing plant fails USDA salmonella safety standards and distributes unsafe chickens nationwide.

Lisa Taylor

The plaintiff in the class-action lawsuit who regularly purchased Costco's rotisserie chickens in the St. Louis area and claims she "suffered economic injury" by overpaying for potentially contaminated chicken.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will determine whether to certify the class-action lawsuit and allow it to proceed.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the importance of food safety and transparency in the retail industry, as well as the potential consequences for companies that fail to uphold rigorous quality standards. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for Costco's reputation and financial performance.