Costco continues to sell its $4.99 rotisserie chicken despite receiving frequent failing grades from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for salmonella contamination at a key processing facility.
The company’s Fremont, Nebraska poultry plant, operated by Lincoln Premium Poultry, has failed USDA monthly rolling tests for salmonella contamination 92% of the time since it opened in 2019, according to an analysis by advocacy group Farm Forward. From September 2023 through July 2025, the plant received a Category 3 rating—the USDA’s lowest—100% of the time, the group said.
The USDA categorizes poultry processing plants into three tiers based on salmonella rates, with Category 3 indicating consistent failure to meet performance standards. While the USDA does not have authority to recall products or halt operations in these situations, products from plants with a Category 3 rating can still reach consumers.
Consumer Reports also identified the Fremont plant among the most contaminated poultry facilities in the U.S., based on USDA data through July 26, 2025.
Costco opened the $450 million facility to control production costs and maintain its $4.99 rotisserie chicken price, which the company uses as a loss leader to encourage store visits. Former Chief Financial Officer Richard Galanti said in past earnings calls that Costco absorbs annual losses to uphold the price as part of its brand strategy.
Costco supplied about 40% of its chickens from the plant as of Farm Forward’s report. The chain sold 137 million rotisserie chickens in 2023. It has sold more than 100 million annually since 2020.
Sentient Media first reported the analysis by Farm Forward, which reviewed USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service data from 2020 to 2024.
Costco did not respond to a request for comment submitted through its media request form.
Consumer Reports offered food safety recommendations, including:
– Wash hands with warm, soapy water before and after handling raw meat.
– Use separate cutting boards for raw meat and other foods.
– Cook poultry to 165°F and verify using a meat thermometer.
– Keep raw meat separate during shopping and storage.
– Thaw meat in the refrigerator rather than at room temperature.
– Avoid rinsing raw meat, which can spread bacteria.
