Costco Kirkland Tortelloni “No Preservatives” Lawsuit, Did the Label Lie to You? Turner v. Costco Wholesale Corp., Filed April 29, 2026

Costco is facing a class action lawsuit filed on April 29, 2026, in California federal court, accusing the company of falsely labeling its Kirkland Signature Five Cheese Tortelloni with Parmigiano Reggiano as containing “no preservatives” — when the product’s own ingredient list shows manufactured citric acid inside the packaging. Plaintiff Sydney Turner says she bought the frozen pasta in December 2023 based on that front-label claim and would not have paid full price had she known what was really in it. No settlement exists yet. No claim form is open.

Costco Kirkland Tortelloni False Advertising Lawsuit — Key Facts

Field	Detail
Lawsuit Filed	April 29, 2026
Defendant	Costco Wholesale Corp.
Alleged Harm	False “no preservatives” labeling on frozen pasta
Specific Laws Alleged	California Unfair Competition Law; Consumers Legal Remedies Act; False Advertising Law; breach of express and implied warranties; negligent misrepresentation; fraud; unjust enrichment
Who Is Affected	Nationwide consumers who purchased Kirkland Signature Five Cheese Tortelloni with Parmigiano Reggiano
Court & Case Number	U.S. District Court, California federal court — case number TBD (recently filed; not yet assigned)
Current Court Stage	Early litigation — complaint filed, class certification pending
Lead Plaintiff Deadline	TBD — not yet announced by the court
Settlement Status	No settlement reached
Law Firms Involved	TBD — not yet publicly confirmed in available filings
Last Updated	May 25, 2026

Who Is Costco and Why Is Its Kirkland Frozen Pasta Now Facing a False Advertising Lawsuit?

Costco Wholesale Corp. is a membership-based warehouse retailer headquartered in Issaquah, Washington, with hundreds of locations across the United States. Its Kirkland Signature Five Cheese Tortelloni with Parmigiano Reggiano is sold as a refrigerated, semi-fresh frozen pasta in a two-pack for around $14, containing a total of three pounds of cheese-filled pasta across two individually sealed 24-ounce packages. The product has been a popular everyday staple for Costco members — and the “no preservatives” claim on its front label is a big reason many shoppers reach for it.

What Costco Allegedly Put on the Tortelloni Label That Consumers Say Was Not True

Costco manufactures, distributes, advertises, and sells the frozen pasta product with a “no preservatives” representation on the front label, causing consumers to believe the product is free from artificial preservatives. However, the ingredient list on the back panel reveals the presence of manufactured citric acid — a preservative produced through industrial fermentation and chemical processing.

This is the core of the lawsuit. Shoppers see “no preservatives” on the front and trust it. What they do not see prominently is that the product contains citric acid — which the plaintiff argues is not a natural ingredient and does function as a preservative.

The complaint cites studies and reports indicating that citric acid is manufactured using a type of black mold called Aspergillus niger, which is modified to increase citric acid production. The lawsuit argues manufactured citric acid is not natural and is produced using heavy chemical processing.

Turner alleges she relied on the “no preservatives” claim when purchasing the frozen pasta product in December 2023 and would not have bought it or would have paid less had she known it contained a preservative.

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This is not the first time Costco has faced this kind of claim. For background on how a nearly identical false advertising class action unfolded against Costco’s rotisserie chicken, see our coverage of the Costco Chicken Lawsuit over false “No Preservatives” claims on AllAboutLawyer.com. And for a broader look at how clean-label false advertising class actions work under California consumer protection law, our article on the Costco Rotisserie Chicken Salmonella and Preservatives Class Action timeline walks through how similar cases have progressed.

If you bought Kirkland Signature Five Cheese Tortelloni and chose it because of the “no preservatives” label, this case may directly affect you.

How Costco’s “No Preservatives” Front Label Allegedly Contradicted Its Own Ingredient List

The lawsuit’s argument follows a straightforward pattern that courts have seen before: a large, prominent claim on the front of a product creates a specific impression, and the back-panel ingredient list quietly tells a different story in smaller print.

Turner is suing for violations of California unfair competition, consumer legal remedy, and false advertising laws, as well as breach of express and implied warranties, negligent misrepresentation, fraud, and unjust enrichment.

Which Costco Shoppers Were Most Likely Deceived by the Tortelloni Label

Costco members who specifically chose the Kirkland tortelloni over other pasta products because it advertised no preservatives are at the center of this case. This matters to parents buying for families, health-conscious shoppers, and anyone who pays attention to clean-label claims.

Are You Part of the Costco Kirkland Tortelloni False Advertising Class Action?

Here is exactly how to know if this lawsuit includes you.

Shoppers who may be covered:

• Anyone who purchased Kirkland Signature Five Cheese Tortelloni with Parmigiano Reggiano at any Costco location in the United States
• Customers who relied on the “no preservatives” front-label claim when deciding to buy
• Consumers who would not have purchased the product, or would have paid less, had they known it contained manufactured citric acid

Shoppers who are likely NOT covered:

• People who purchased a different Costco or Kirkland pasta product not at issue in this case
• Anyone who purchased the tortelloni knowing it contained citric acid
• Shoppers whose purchases were not influenced by the “no preservatives” label claim

Costco Tortelloni Shoppers Outside California — Are You Still Covered?

Yes. Turner seeks to represent a nationwide class of consumers who purchased the product, as well as subclasses of consumers in certain states. Because this is a federal case, it is not limited to California residents. If you bought the tortelloni in any U.S. state and relied on the “no preservatives” claim, you may fall within the proposed class.

If you are unsure whether you are part of the Costco tortelloni false advertising lawsuit, a free consultation with a consumer fraud attorney can help you understand your situation before any deadlines are set by the court.

What Are Costco Tortelloni Shoppers Asking the Court to Award in the 2026 False Advertising Lawsuit?

No money is available yet. No claim form exists. This case was filed in April 2026 and is still in its earliest stages.

Turner is seeking certification of the Costco class action, damages, fees, costs, and a jury trial. The complaint targets compensation for the price premium shoppers paid because they believed the product was preservative-free.

What Could Kirkland Tortelloni Shoppers Receive If This Case Settles?

No settlement amount exists, and it is not possible to predict one at this stage. In false advertising food-labeling cases, recoveries typically depend on how many class members file claims, the strength of the evidence, and what both sides negotiate. What courts most often award in these cases is the price premium — the difference between what shoppers paid believing the claim was true and what they would have paid knowing it was not. Consult a consumer fraud attorney if you want to understand what your individual options might be.

What Costco Tortelloni Shoppers Should Do Right Now

1. Most consumers who purchased the Kirkland Five Cheese Tortelloni are likely within the proposed class automatically. You do not need to file anything today, and there is no claim form to complete yet.
   
2. Save anything you have: Costco membership records, credit card or bank statements showing grocery purchases, receipts, or order history from Costco.com. The more documentation you have of your purchase dates, the better your position if a settlement is eventually reached.
   
3. Note the date you purchased the product and whether you specifically chose it based on the “no preservatives” label. That detail matters for potential recovery.
   
4. Monitor the case docket. The case was filed in U.S. federal court in California. Once a case number is publicly assigned, you can track filings at pacer.gov.
   
5. Watch for a lead plaintiff deadline. If you purchased large quantities or have clear documentation of significant purchases, speak with a consumer fraud attorney about whether applying as a lead plaintiff makes sense for you.
   
6. Keep an eye on AllAboutLawyer.com for updates. This article will be updated when a case number is confirmed, when class certification is ruled on, and if a settlement is announced.

Costco Kirkland Tortelloni False Advertising Lawsuit Timeline

Milestone	Date
Purchase by named plaintiff	December 2023
Lawsuit filed in California federal court	April 29, 2026
Case number assigned	TBD — recently filed, pending court assignment
Class certification ruling	TBD — depends on court scheduling
Lead plaintiff deadline	TBD — not yet announced
Next scheduled hearing	TBD — case in earliest litigation stage
Expected resolution	TBD — active litigation, no settlement reached

Costco Kirkland Tortelloni “No Preservatives” Lawsuit — Frequently Asked Questions, Filed April 29, 2026

Is there a class action lawsuit against Costco for false preservative-free labeling on its tortelloni right now?

Yes. Plaintiff Sydney Turner filed the class action complaint against Costco Wholesale Corp. on April 29 in California federal court, alleging violations of state and federal consumer laws over the “no preservatives” label on the Kirkland Signature Five Cheese Tortelloni with Parmigiano Reggiano. The case is in its earliest stage.

Do I need to do anything right now to be included in the Costco tortelloni false advertising class action?

No immediate action is required. Class actions typically include all eligible consumers automatically once the court certifies the class. Your job right now is to save any purchase records you have and monitor the case for updates.

When will the Costco Kirkland tortelloni lawsuit settle?

There is no way to predict this. The lawsuit was filed in April 2026 and has not yet been certified as a class action. Settlement negotiations, if they happen, typically come after class certification and discovery — a process that can take one to several years in federal court.

Can I file my own lawsuit against Costco for tortelloni false labeling instead of joining the class?

You can pursue an individual claim, but most consumers benefit more from the class action because the legal costs are shared. If you have unusually large documented losses or believe your situation is distinct, speaking with a consumer fraud attorney can help you decide which path makes more sense.

How will I find out if the Costco tortelloni lawsuit settles?

The court will notify class members if a settlement is approved. If you have a Costco membership on file, communications may come through that account. You can also monitor the federal docket once a case number is publicly assigned, and you can bookmark this page for updates.

What specific laws does Costco allegedly violate in the Kirkland tortelloni lawsuit?

The complaint alleges violations of California’s Unfair Competition Law, the Consumers Legal Remedies Act, and the False Advertising Law, as well as breach of express and implied warranties, negligent misrepresentation, fraud, and unjust enrichment.

What does “lead plaintiff” mean and why might the deadline matter?

A lead plaintiff is the named representative who helps direct the litigation on behalf of all class members. Courts typically set a deadline for interested parties to apply for that role. Lead plaintiffs often have more direct involvement in the case but also more responsibility. If you purchased significant quantities of the tortelloni and have strong documentation, ask a consumer fraud attorney whether applying is worth considering.

How much could Kirkland Signature tortelloni shoppers receive from a future settlement?

No money is available yet, and no estimate is possible at this stage. Turner is seeking damages, fees, costs, and a jury trial, but the final amount — if any — depends on the number of claimants, the strength of the evidence, and court rulings. Consult a consumer fraud attorney for an assessment of your specific situation.

Prepared by the AllAboutLawyer.com Editorial Team. Verified against Top Class Actions lawsuit report and the official Costco product listing on May 25, 2026. Last Updated: May 25, 2026.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for advice about your specific situation.