Costco Slapped With Lawsuit Over Beloved Merchandise – Market Evaluation & Information

“Regardless of Costco’s ‘No Preservatives’ Representations, Costco makes use of the components sodium phosphate and carrageenan,” the criticism reads.

Sodium phosphate is used to retain moisture; it additionally extends shelf life. Carrageenan, a thickener that comes from seaweed, is used for a similar function.

The lawsuit says Costco should not have marketed the hen as containing no preservatives, arguing that the corporate “knew or ought to have identified that the presence of those components can be materials” info for consumers. It contends that, though sodium phosphate and carrageenan are listed on the elements on the packaging itself, Costco misled clients by placing that info in smaller print on the again.

The go well with additionally accuses Costco of unfair competitors on the grounds that clients paid extra for the hen than they in any other case would have if it hadnt been marketed as preservative-free.

In an announcement to the New York Instances, Costco mentioned it had modified in-store and on-line signage to take away claims of being preservative-free. It informed the newspaper the 2 components that triggered the lawsuit had been used for “moisture retention, texture and product consistency,” including that “each elements are accredited by meals security authorities.”

If the plaintiffs win class-action certification, the category may doubtlessly embody anybody who ever purchased Costco’s widespread ready hen.

The 2 plaintiffs, who’re additionally searching for unspecified financial damages, every mentioned within the lawsuit that they’d not have bought the hen if that they had identified it contained these elements. The criticism additionally says, although, that every plaintiff “intends to buy the Rotisserie Rooster sooner or later.”