In a recent TikTok video that has garnered over 1.3 million views, a user who identifies himself as a nutrition expert, known as @thejacked.gentleman, shared his troubling experience after eating Costco’s famous rotisserie chicken. He claims that after consuming the chicken on two separate occasions, he felt unwell both times. His concerns have sparked a wider conversation among consumers, some of whom suspect that the chicken might have developed bacteria due to being stored in plastic bags.
According to reports from Daily Dot, the TikTok user pointed out that the way the chicken is handled post-cooking could pose health risks. He notes that while the freshly cooked chicken appears perfectly fine, the process of cooling it on the sales counter and then transferring it to plastic bags might create an environment conducive to bacterial growth. The expert criticized Costco’s recent shift in packaging from black trays to thinner plastic bags, arguing that the latter could expose the chicken to chemical substances.
Earlier this year, Costco made the change to reduce plastic use and minimize waste, but this has led to mixed reactions. Some customers have complained that the thinner bags are prone to leaking and make storage more difficult. In response to these customer concerns, Consumer Reports conducted an investigation into the safety of the new packaging. Experts warned that if chicken juices leak onto countertops, it could potentially contribute to bacterial proliferation.
Concerns have also been raised about the potential leaching of chemicals from plastic into the chicken, particularly when exposed to high heat. Tracy Wang, a Chinese-American customer, expressed agreement with this view, stating, “Common sense tells us that plastic bags shouldn’t wrap something that hot. Putting a freshly roasted chicken straight into a plastic bag seems problematic.”
However, not all consumers believe the plastic bags are to blame. Some argue that improper storage of any heat-processed food can lead to bacterial growth. One commenter reflected, “Cooling food on the counter can foster bacteria; putting it directly into the fridge for rapid cooling is the best strategy.” He shared that he has been eating packaged chicken for years without any issues.
Additional customers have echoed their discomfort after eating Costco’s rotisserie chicken. One individual shared that they became ill after their first encounter with the chicken and have since avoided it, unaware that the issue might be related to the plastic packaging.
Daily Dot noted attempts to reach Costco for a comment on the matter, but as of the report’s publication, no response had been provided.
