Let’s be honest. That $4.99 rotisserie chicken from Costco? It’s basically a weeknight superhero. 🦸♀️
You grab it on the way home, shred it up, toss it in some tacos or on top of a salad, and dinner is DONE. No meal prep. No stress. Just hot, juicy, ready-to-eat protein sitting in that little plastic dome, calling your name.
And listen, there’s zero judgment here. We’ve all been there. Busy schedules, hungry kids, zero energy left in the tank. That bird has saved more dinners than we can count.
But here’s the thing. A recent report dropped some pretty eye-opening information about what’s really going on behind the scenes with Costco’s chicken supplier. And as someone committed to living a healthier, more empowered life, you deserve to know the facts.
This isn’t about fear. It’s about awareness. It’s about making informed choices that protect you and your family. 💪
So let’s dig in.
The Salmonella Scoop You Need to Hear
In October 2025 and January 2026, Farm Forward (an animal welfare nonprofit) released data that raised some serious red flags about Lincoln Premium Poultry. That’s Costco’s primary rotisserie chicken supplier.
Here’s the headline that got everyone talking. Lincoln Premium Poultry received a Category 3 salmonella rating (the worst possible rating) in approximately 92% of federal inspections since opening in 2019. 😳
Let that sink in for a second.
Out of 59 inspections between 2020 and 2024, the facility exceeded USDA safety standards in 54 of them. That’s a LOT of red marks on the report card.
Now, before you swear off rotisserie chicken forever, there’s some important context here. The good news? The most recent FSIS report (covering December 2024 to November 2025) shows the facility has improved to a Category 2 rating for both young chicken carcasses and chicken parts. That’s progress! 🙌
Also worth noting? No foodborne illness outbreaks have been directly linked to Costco’s rotisserie chicken since Lincoln Premium Poultry started supplying them. So while the contamination levels are concerning from a regulatory standpoint, proper cooking and handling can still keep you safe.
But the bigger picture here? It reveals some pretty shocking gaps in how our food system protects us.
Why the Standards Are Seriously Slacking
Here’s where things get a little frustrating. 😤
The USDA actually allows up to 25% of ground chicken and 15.4% of chicken parts to test positive for salmonella without triggering any enforcement action. Yes, you read that right. A quarter of the ground chicken on shelves can legally contain salmonella.
And it gets worse. The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) doesn’t have the authority to shut down facilities for repeated violations. They can’t stop contaminated products from entering the food supply. They can’t even issue recalls when plants repeatedly fail salmonella standards.
So basically, a facility can keep getting flagged over and over again… and keep operating. 🤯
This isn’t about pointing fingers at one company. This is a systemic issue across the entire U.S. poultry industry. And it’s why YOU have to be your own best advocate in the kitchen.
The Real Health Risk Behind Salmonella
Let’s talk about what salmonella actually does to your body. Because knowledge is power, right?
Salmonella is a bacteria that causes food poisoning. Symptoms usually show up 6 hours to 6 days after eating contaminated food and can include stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Most healthy adults recover within a week without treatment.
But here’s the scary part. Across the U.S., approximately 1.3 million Americans get sick from salmonella-contaminated food every single year. That leads to roughly 19,000 hospitalizations and an estimated 420 deaths annually.
For young kids, older adults, pregnant women, and anyone with a weakened immune system, salmonella can be especially dangerous. It’s not just an inconvenient stomach bug. It can turn serious fast.
The takeaway? You don’t want to mess around with this stuff. And you definitely don’t want to leave your family’s safety up to regulations that clearly aren’t cutting it.
Empowered Living Starts With Awareness
Okay, so now you know the facts. What do you do with them?
First, take a deep breath. 🧘♀️
This isn’t about living in fear or never eating chicken again. It’s about shifting from blind convenience to empowered choices. And that’s exactly what a sustainable lifestyle transformation looks like.
You can still enjoy chicken. You can still save time on busy weeknights. You just need to add a few simple habits to your routine that protect your health and give you peace of mind.
Think of it like this. You wouldn’t skip your seatbelt just because most car rides are fine, right? Same energy here. A few extra steps in the kitchen can make all the difference.
Safety Steps for Your Kitchen
Ready to take control? Here are some practical, easy-to-implement strategies that keep your family safe without adding stress to your life. ✨
Invest in a Digital Meat Thermometer
This is non-negotiable, friends. The only way to guarantee salmonella is killed is to cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F. For leg meat, aim for 170-175°F.
Guessing by color or texture? Not reliable. A Digital Meat Thermometer takes the guesswork out completely. It’s fast, accurate, and honestly kind of satisfying to use. 🌡️
Stop Cross-Contamination in Its Tracks
Raw chicken juice is basically a salmonella slip-and-slide. 🙅♀️
Never use the same cutting board for raw chicken and other foods (especially anything you’ll eat raw like salad veggies). Grab a set of Color Coded Cutting Boards to make it foolproof. Red for meat, green for veggies, and you’ll never accidentally mix things up.
Also, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after handling raw poultry. Every. Single. Time.
Consider Your Sourcing
If all this has you rethinking your chicken routine, that’s okay! You have options.
Look for locally sourced, organic, or pasture-raised chicken from farms with transparent practices. Farmers markets and local co-ops are great places to start. Yes, it might cost a bit more, but you’re investing in quality and peace of mind.
And when you want that cozy, comforting chicken soup without the worry? Try starting with Organic Chicken Bone Broth as your base. It’s safe, delicious, and packed with gut-loving benefits. 🍲
Master the Art of Home-Cooked Chicken
Here’s a little secret. Cooking chicken at home isn’t as hard as it seems. And when you do it yourself, you control EVERYTHING.
A quality Cast Iron Skillet is your best friend here. It heats evenly, gets that perfect golden sear, and helps you cook chicken thoroughly every time. Plus, it lasts forever. Like, you can pass it down to your grandkids forever. 🍳
Try batch cooking chicken breasts on Sunday, then use them all week in salads, wraps, bowls, and more. It’s the ultimate meal prep hack.
Clean Like You Mean It
After prepping raw chicken, sanitize everything. Cutting boards, counters, knives, and yes, even your sink. Hot soapy water works great, or use a diluted bleach solution for extra protection.
Don’t forget to wash any reusable grocery bags that held raw poultry packages too!
Prioritizing Wellness Over Shortcuts
Look, we get it. Life is busy. Really busy. And sometimes convenience wins because you’re just trying to survive the day.
But here’s the beautiful truth. Small, intentional choices add up to BIG changes over time. 🌱
Checking the temp on your chicken takes 10 seconds. Using separate cutting boards is effortless once it’s a habit. Washing your hands properly is just… good practice all around.
These aren’t huge sacrifices. They’re tiny upgrades that protect everything you’re working so hard to build. Your health. Your energy. Your family’s wellbeing.
You didn’t come this far just to cut corners where it matters most.
So yes, enjoy that rotisserie chicken when you need it. But do it with your eyes wide open and your kitchen game strong. That’s what empowered living looks like. 💪✨
Want more tips on building a sustainable, healthy lifestyle that actually works for busy schedules? Check out our Free Meal Plan to get started!
You’ve got this. 🔥
