Costco is facing a major lawsuit over what’s really inside its Kirkland pasta
Sydney Turner says she relied on the "no preservatives" label when she purchased the product and wouldn't have bought it if she knew about the citric acid ingredient.
Mason Reed 
Costco is facing serious legal heat as a new class action lawsuit hits the retailer over claims regarding its Kirkland Signature Five Cheese Tortellini with Parmigiano Reggiano. The suit alleges the company falsely markets the frozen pasta as containing “no preservatives.”
The Legal Battle
Plaintiff Sydney Turner filed the complaint against Costco Wholesale Corp. on April 29, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. As reported by TopClassActions.com, the suit argues that the retailer has violated various state and federal consumer protection laws.
Contested Ingredients
At the heart of the dispute is the presence of manufactured citric acid. While the product label boasts “no preservatives,” the ingredient list includes this additive, which the lawsuit contends is a preservative produced using heavy chemicals. The legal filing references studies suggesting that this citric acid is manufactured via Aspergillus niger, a form of black mold modified to boost production.
Consumer Impact
Turner claims she purchased the pasta in December 2023, relying specifically on the “no preservatives” claim. According to the lawsuit, she would have bypassed the product entirely had she known it contained an artificial preservative. Furthermore, the complaint alleges that the consumption of citric acid is linked to potential adverse health effects.
Class Action Status
The lawsuit seeks to represent a nationwide class of consumers who purchased the tortellini, including specific subclasses across several states. Turner is pushing for class certification and is seeking a jury trial to address damages, fees, and legal costs associated with the case.
