A popular frozen pasta sold at Costco is at the center of a lawsuit claiming it could have put customers’ health at risk.
The grocery giant’s Kirkland Signature Five Cheese Tortelloni with Parmigiano Reggiano had the phrase ‘no preservatives’ printed in italics on the front of its packaging.
However, according to the lawsuit, a closer look at the ingredients list on the back revealed it contained citric acid, a preservative made using heavy industrial and chemical processing.
Customer Sophie Turner filed the lawsuit in California last month and said she would never have bought the pasta had she known that it contained preservatives.
In the filing, she accuses Costco of misrepresenting the pasta and wrongly leading consumers to believe that it was free from artificial preservatives.
She also claims that the acid has been linked to adverse health effects, although does not detail these in the lawsuit.
Previous studies have suggested the preservative may raise the risk of tooth decay, inflammation, and even the risk of cancer.
Costco has been hit with a lawsuit claiming that a popular frozen pasta sold by the chain was incorrectly labeled (stock image)
The lawsuit was filed on April 29 in the US District Court for the Central District of California.
Turner alleged that she bought the pasta in December 2023, before noting the labeling issue and eventually filing the lawsuit.
She is now seeking a class action against Costco, alongside damages, fees, costs and a trial by jury.
She is being represented by Adrian Gucovschi of Gucovschi Law Firm PLLC, a lawyer who has previously led class action lawsuits against some of the largest corporations in the nation.
Packaging of a Costco product with the same name shared online in 2021 shows that it has a ‘no preservatives’ label on the front of its packaging.
Currently, however, the packaging for the Kirkland Signature Five Cheese Tortelloni with Parmigiano Reggiano on the retailer’s website does not include the claim.
It is possible that Costco has updated its packaging for the product. The Daily Mail has contacted Costco for comment.
The pasta is popular among shoppers.
An Instagram post from Costco Food Reviews, which reviews foods from the major discount retailer, said: ‘This cheese tortelloni is so delicious for being store bought. It’s one of my favorite quick and easy meals to always have on hand.
‘Unlike some store-bought tortelloni, this pasta keeps its shape after you boil it and no filling leaks out or water gets in. Love that! Also, you can really taste five cheese filling! They did not skimp on flavor.’
Another user commented: ‘Love this! I use it in my tortelloni soup and it’s perfect!’
The version of the packaging for the frozen pasta that is currently on Costco’s website does not show the ‘no preservatives’ claim
Citric acid occurs naturally in citrus fruits, but can also be made in the lab using a mold called Aspergillus niger.
It is one of the most common food additives and preservatives in the US, and is used in thousands of products, including sodas, candies, packaged goods and even some meats.
Its addition raises the acidic levels in food, helping to slow the growth of bacteria and fungi and preserve color.
It is also used to enhance sour flavor in many products.
The FDA says citric acid is generally recognized as safe (GRAS), meaning it can be added to products without concerns over health risks.
However, a growing body of evidence suggests that the preservative may not be entirely risk-free.
A study published in France last week warned that, among people who ate more citric acid, these individuals had a 22 percent higher risk of high blood pressure compared to those who ate less.
And another paper from earlier this year that analyzed data on the diets of 105,000 French residents for intake of citric acid and 16 other preservatives warned that those who ate more of these substances had a moderately increased risk of cancer.
The customer suing Costco bought the pasta in December 2023. The above photo of a Five Cheese Tortelloni with Parmigiano Reggiano frozen pasta bought at Costco is from 2021. It shows ‘no preservatives’ on the label
The above shows the back label of that same pasta from 2021. It shows citric acid in the ingredients list
Researchers said it was not clear whether the citric acid was causing the effects, or whether this was linked to following a poor diet.
Previous research has shown that citric acid can wear down enamel, the outer layer of teeth, raising the risk of dental problems.
But some papers have also highlighted the potential health benefits of consuming citric acid.
As well as enhancing the taste of some products, experts say that it helps to boost digestion and enhance nutrient absorption in the gut. There is also some evidence that in small quantities it could help to protect against kidney stones.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Junior and his Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement are urging people to eat foods containing fewer preservatives.
RFK Jr has repeatedly urged manufacturers to take preservatives and additives out of foods, which he blames in part for the chronic disease epidemic.
