Like many other offerings at Costco, the warehouse retailer’s rotisserie chicken has developed a cult following among shoppers. The store’s coveted chicken is what’s known as a loss leader in the retail industry, meaning it’s intentionally sold below cost in an effort to get customers into the store, where they’ll hopefully buy more expensive items. Costco is able to maintain these rock bottom rotisserie chicken prices through a strategy called vertical integration, which in this case means that the store controls every aspect of its chicken production. Costco does this through the Lincoln Premium Poultry plant in Fremont, Nebraska, which officially opened in 2019 and reportedly cost $450 million to develop.
Costco has been open about its commitment to sustainability and environmental protection. The store has also been vocal about the importance of good animal welfare and the use of humane practices in its facilities. These claims have been contradicted by reports of issues at Lincoln Premium Poultry, issues that affect Costco shoppers, community members, and the chickens being processed. The plant has been plagued by salmonella outbreaks since opening in 2019, while people living in and around Fremont, Nebraska have complained about water contamination and foul odors. There are also reports of animal cruelty, and some claim that poor conditions directly link to the frequent bouts of salmonella. While affordability is vital to consumers, especially in these financially turbulent times, it can’t come at the expense of safety, sanitation, and animal welfare.
Repeated salmonella outbreaks
When it comes to salmonella, a type of bacteria associated with uncomfortable symptoms like nausea and diarrhea when consumed, chicken is a major culprit. While fully cooking chicken is key to reducing the chance of foodborne illness, manufacturers must also do their part. To this end, it appears that Costco’s Lincoln Premium Poultry facility is having an exceedingly difficult time keeping its plant free of harmful bacteria. According to a report from Farm Forward, which reviewed inspection data gathered by the USDA, Costco’s plant exhibited high levels of salmonella contamination since opening in 2019. Farm Forward’s analysis determined the Lincoln Premium Poultry plant exceeded the USDA-mandated salmonella limits about 92% of the time.
Costco estimates that it sells millions of rotisserie chickens each year, which is extremely concerning in light of the salmonella risk present at its chicken processing plant. However, there have been no recent reports of the chain’s rotisserie chicken leading to foodborne illness since the Lincoln plant has been in operation. Costco did experience a salmonella outbreak in 2013 when Foster Farms supplied its rotisserie chickens. Another incident in 2016 involved chicken salad made with Costco’s rotisserie birds.
Reported animal mistreatment and cruelty
For many meat eaters, finding retailers that use sustainable farming practices is an ongoing concern. Chicken farms can be particularly complex undertakings, and companies are encouraged to adopt sustainable practices whenever possible. This entails allowing animals to roam freely, using feed crops that don’t tax the environment, and ensuring chickens remain healthy and protected from disease are crucial tenets of sustainability. These processes ensure that animals are reared in proper conditions, but they also protect consumers from foodborne illness. Consider that research shows poor sanitary practices in poultry processing facilities causes cross-contamination, which increases the risk of salmonella outbreaks…