During a recent TikTok video that has garnered over 1.3 million views, a self-proclaimed nutrition expert known as @thejacked.gentleman shared his experience of feeling unwell after consuming Costco’s famous rotisserie chicken twice. With the chicken being one of the most popular items at Costco due to its affordability and taste, many shoppers often grab one alongside their groceries. However, this TikTok user speculated that the discomfort might be linked to bacteria developing in the chicken when it’s placed in plastic bags.
According to reports from Daily Dot, the TikTok user highlighted that while the freshly cooked chicken appears normal, the process of cooling it down on the sales counter and then transferring it to a customer’s refrigerator could promote bacterial growth. The nutrition expert contrasted this with Costco’s previous practice of placing rotisserie chickens on black trays instead of in chemical-laden plastic bags.
Earlier this year, Costco transitioned their rotisserie chicken packaging from plastic boxes to thinner plastic bags to minimize plastic use and waste. Initially, some customers complained that the bags were too thin and prone to leaking juice, which made storing them in the refrigerator problematic. In response to these concerns, Consumer Reports conducted a safety study on the bags, indicating that if chicken juices leaked onto kitchen surfaces, it could indeed lead to bacterial growth.
Customers have also voiced concerns that the plastic packaging might leach chemicals into the chicken, especially after prolonged exposure to heat, which can cause the release of some plastic additives into food. Tracy Wang, a Chinese customer, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Common sense tells us that plastic bags should not be used for very hot items. Putting a steaming rotisserie chicken directly into a plastic bag seems problematic.”
On the other hand, some consumers believe that the plastic bags might not be the main issue. They argue that improper storage can lead to bacterial growth in any heat-processed food. “Letting food cool on the counter can encourage bacteria, while quickly placing it in the fridge is the best approach,” one commenter noted, sharing his own lifelong experience of consuming bagged chicken without incident.
Other customers reported experiencing similar discomfort after eating Costco’s rotisserie chicken. One recalled, “I got sick the first time I ate it and haven’t tried it again since, but I hadn’t considered that it might be the plastic bag.”
Daily Dot has reached out to Costco for a comment on the matter, but as of this writing, no response has been received.
