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For years, Costco’s $4.99 rotisserie chicken has been one of the warehouse giant’s most recognizable products, earning a loyal following among shoppers looking for an affordable ready-made meal.
However, a new Consumer Reports taste test found that another warehouse retailer has taken the top spot. After evaluating rotisserie chickens from 10 grocery chains and warehouse clubs, the publication named Sam’s Club’s Member’s Mark Seasoned Rotisserie Chicken its overall favorite.
Consumer Reports’ food experts compared the birds for flavor, nutrition, sodium content, and chemicals associated with plastic packaging. Secret shoppers purchased chickens from multiple locations before they were blind taste-tested while still warm.
Consumer Reports says Sam’s Club has the best rotisserie chicken
Consumer Reports said Sam’s Club’s rotisserie chicken stood out thanks to its paprika seasoning, juicy meat, and roasted flavor with hints of onion and garlic.
Costco’s Kirkland Signature Seasoned Rotisserie Chicken also received high marks and was described as one of the plumpest birds tested, with moist meat and good seasoning, although testers noted the saltiness varied between samples.
Several other retailers were also included in the publication’s top tier, including Stop & Shop, Walmart, Wegmans, and Whole Foods Market.
Unsplash: Alison MarrasCostco’s rotisserie chicken is one of its members’ favourite choices.
Beyond taste, Consumer Reports also examined sodium levels and tested both the packaging and the chicken itself for chemicals commonly associated with plastics, including BPA, PFAS, and phthalates.
The publication said it found no PFAS in any packaging or chicken samples, while bisphenols were detected only in some packaging and not in the meat itself.
Phthalates were found in nearly every chicken tested, though Consumer Reports said the levels were generally below its level of concern. Costco and Walmart recorded the highest levels of one phthalate known as DEHP, leading the publication to recommend adults limit consumption of those two chickens to no more than 6 ounces per day.
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Walmart, which also owns Sam’s Club, responded to the findings, saying: “We are committed to providing safe, high-quality products, and work continuously with our suppliers to review and ensure standards are met.”
The rankings come as Costco continues to make headlines beyond its food offerings.
The warehouse giant recently opened its first standalone 40-pump gas station in California, though some shoppers were disappointed that the location lacks amenities like a food court, car wash, diesel pumps, and EV chargers despite its massive size.
