Quick Answers
Costco rotisserie chicken may be safe for some people with celiac disease, but there is a risk of cross-contamination during preparation and cooking. People with celiac disease need to avoid any exposure to gluten. Costco does not claim their rotisserie chickens are gluten-free or safe for celiac. Individual tolerance levels vary, so some may be able to eat Costco chicken without reacting while others cannot.
What is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. When people with celiac disease eat gluten, their immune system responds by attacking the small intestine. This causes inflammation and damage to the villi – the small, finger-like protrusions in the small intestine that absorb nutrients. Symptoms of celiac disease may include diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, fatigue, weight loss, nausea, constipation, vomiting, skin rashes and anemia. The only treatment for celiac disease is adhering to a strict lifelong gluten-free diet, which allows healing of the small intestinal lining and resolves symptoms. Even small amounts of gluten can cause issues for those with celiac disease.
Gluten in the Diet
Gluten is found in many grains, including wheat, barley, rye, spelt, kamut and triticale. It can also be found in foods made from these grains or foods processed in facilities that handle gluten-containing grains. Some examples of foods that commonly contain gluten include breads, pastas, baked goods, cereals, beers, ales, lagers and malt vinegars. Reading ingredient labels is important to watch out for hidden sources of gluten like maltodextrin, modified food starch and natural flavors.
Cross-Contamination Risk
In addition to avoiding obvious sources of gluten, those with celiac disease must also avoid cross-contamination. This refers to when gluten-free foods come into contact with gluten-containing foods and gluten is transferred. Even tiny amounts of gluten can trigger symptoms and intestinal damage. Cross-contamination can occur during food processing, manufacturing, preparation and cooking. For example, foods cooked on the same surface or with the same utensils as gluten-containing foods have a high risk of cross-contamination. People with celiac disease must be vigilant to prevent cross-contamination when cooking at home or eating out.
Is Costco Rotisserie Chicken Gluten-Free?
Costco does not specifically market or label their rotisserie chickens as gluten-free. On their website, they state that none of their prepared food items (including the rotisserie chicken) are labelled gluten-free and that gluten cross-contamination is possible.
Costco rotisserie chickens may come into contact with gluten through:
- Breading or seasoning mixes containing gluten used on the exterior skin or injected under the skin
- Shared cooking equipment, utensils or preparation surfaces with gluten-containing items
- Shared storage bins or warming trays
- Shared serving utensils like tongs
- Gluten hands of employees handling the chickens
Costco notes that their rotisserie chicken supply can come from different suppliers, so recipes and preparation methods may vary. They do not test for the presence of gluten or guarantee the chickens are gluten-free. Overall, Costco does not recommend their rotisserie chicken for customers with celiac disease due to the risk of cross-contact with gluten.
Limited Ingredient Information
Costco provides limited information about the ingredients, recipe and preparation process for their rotisserie chickens. From what is available, the chicken contains just chicken, water and sea salt. No breaded coating or flavor injectors are listed. However, Costco admits there still could be cross-contamination from seasonings, marinades or brines used behind the scenes. They also note the recipe can change at any time without notice. So it is unclear exactly what goes into the chicken and what risk of gluten-exposure really exists.
Individual Reactions Vary
While Costco does not consider their rotisserie chicken safe for celiac disease, individual reactions can vary. Some people with celiac disease find they are able to tolerate Costco’s chicken without reacting. Their celiac symptoms do not flare up and their small intestine remains undamaged. However, others with celiac disease find even small amounts of gluten hidden in the chicken triggers intestinal damage and causes symptoms. It likely depends on the individual’s sensitivity level to trace amounts of gluten.
Factors Affecting Gluten Tolerance
Several factors may play a role in how much hidden gluten someone with celiac disease can tolerate without reacting, including:
- Age of celiac disease diagnosis and duration of exposure to gluten
- Extent of existing small intestinal damage
- Genetic makeup and strength of autoimmune response
- Adherence to the gluten-free diet
- Sensitivity of symptoms
Younger people diagnosed very early after exposure to gluten tend to be able to tolerate small amounts of gluten better than those diagnosed later in life after prolonged gluten intake. Extensive intestinal damage also increases sensitivity. Some people have strong autoimmune reactions and symptoms to the tiniest gluten exposures. Strict gluten avoidance helps lower sensitivity over time. Overall, individual sensitivity levels can impact whether Costco’s chicken is tolerable.
Assessing Your Own Tolerance
The only way to know if you will react to possible gluten exposure from Costco rotisserie chicken is to try eating it and assess your response. Be aware of any celiac symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, bloating or fatigue in the hours or days afterwards. People who frequently eat Costco chicken without any issues are likely able to tolerate it well. However, those who react with symptoms following consumption should avoid it in the future.
Look for Symptoms
Signs and symptoms that you may be reacting to gluten from Costco chicken include:
- Diarrhea, constipation, loose stools
- Bloating, gas, abdominal discomfort
- Fatigue, sluggishness, depression
- Joint pain or numbness
- Rashes, acne
- Mouth sores
- Headaches, foggy mind
Symptoms may start anywhere from a few hours to a few days after eating the chicken. Pay attention to how you feel in the hours and days afterwards. If any unusual symptoms pop up, it may be a sign you are reacting. Those who are very sensitive may react quickly while others may take longer to respond.
Get Follow-Up Testing
You can also get follow-up bloodwork and intestinal biopsies done through your doctor to assess for damage after trying Costco rotisserie chicken. Blood tests can check for elevated celiac antibodies. An intestinal biopsy taken by endoscopy can check for visible damage to the villi in the small intestine. Any rise in antibodies or intestinal injury indicates gluten exposure from the Costco chicken affected you.
Precautions if Consuming
Those who find they are able to tolerate Costco rotisserie chicken without reacting may choose to continue eating it. However, take some precautions to be safe:
- Eat fresh chicken directly from Costco, not saved chicken reheated later
- Avoid chicken if equipment or serving utensils look dirty
- Consume smaller portions to limit exposure
- Wash hands and prep surfaces thoroughly before and after
- Avoid other gluten sources for several days after eating
- Get re-tested periodically to ensure you are still tolerating it
Eating the chicken fresh right after rotisserie cooking limits the time available for cross-contamination to occur. Avoid eating large portions which increase gluten dose. Be meticulous about hand washing and food prep hygiene. Get retested periodically such as once or twice per year to ensure you are still tolerating occasional consumption without intestinal damage.
Alternative Gluten-Free Options
Instead of taking the risk with Costco rotisserie chicken, there are some safer gluten-free alternatives including:
- Preparing your own chicken at home following gluten-free practices
- Purchasing certified gluten-free rotisserie chicken elsewhere
- Buying whole gluten-free chickens to roast yourself
- Opting for unseasoned grilled chicken breasts
- Choosing a different gluten-free protein like beef, pork, fish or shellfish
Making your own rotisserie chicken at home allows you to control the ingredients and prevent cross-contamination. Look for brands that explicitly state their chicken is gluten-free certified. Grilled chicken breasts are a safer bet away from home. Varying your diet with other gluten-free proteins also helps minimize risk.
Gluten-Free Substitutions
Some gluten-free alternatives to Costco rotisserie chicken include:
| Gluten-Containing | Gluten-Free Substitution |
|---|---|
| Costco Rotisserie Chicken | Mary’s Free Range Gluten-Free Rotisserie Chicken |
| Costco Rotisserie Chicken | Bell & Evans Gluten-Free Rotisserie Chicken |
| Costco Rotisserie Chicken | Foster Farms Gluten-Free Chicken Breasts |
| Costco Rotisserie Chicken | Applegate Gluten-Free Chicken Nuggets |
| Costco Rotisserie Chicken | Fresh Gluten-Free Salmon Fillet |
| Costco Rotisserie Chicken | Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Chicken Tenders |
Check labels to confirm gluten-free status when purchasing manufactured products. Selecting certified gluten-free poultry options eliminates the guesswork.
Precautions for Highly Sensitive
People with celiac disease who are highly sensitive to trace gluten should not eat Costco rotisserie chicken. Even tiny amounts of contamination may trigger debilitating symptoms and intestinal damage. The level of gluten that accumulates on Costco chicken from cross-contact is unpredictable and unregulated. Playing it safe by avoiding it altogether is wise for those that are highly reactive.
Symptoms from Trace Exposure
People with celiac disease who experience symptoms from extremely small gluten exposures should not consume Costco rotisserie chicken. Signs you may be highly sensitive include:
- Reacting to gluten from cross-contact like on shared toasters or utensils
- Reacting to tiny unlisted ingredients like maltodextrin
- Experiencing symptoms within hours of trace gluten ingestion
- Symptoms triggered by gluten-removed beer or <20ppm foods
Those who react to microscopic gluten exposures are at high risk of having symptoms from the uncertain amount of contamination on Costco chicken. The chicken is not guaranteed or tested gluten-free.
Prevent Intestinal Damage
Exposure to even small amounts of gluten over time can cause ongoing autoimmune destruction of the intestinal villi leading to malabsorption issues. Highly sensitive individuals may experience intestinal injury and antibody responses even if outward symptoms are minor or absent. Avoiding Costco chicken helps prevent this progressive damage.
Key Takeaways
- Costco does not claim their rotisserie chicken is gluten-free or celiac safe due to cross-contamination risks.
- The chickens may pick up traces of gluten during preparation from equipment, utensils, seasonings, handling procedures, etc.
- Individual reactions vary. Some celiacs tolerate Costco chicken fine while others react to the hidden gluten.
- Monitor symptoms carefully after eating Costco chicken to assess personal tolerance.
- Those highly sensitive to trace gluten exposure should avoid Costco chicken to be safe.
- Safer gluten-free alternatives include certified gluten-free rotisserie chicken or preparing your own at home.
The Bottom Line
Costco does not recommend their rotisserie chicken for people with celiac disease due to potential cross-contamination with gluten. Individual reactions to possible trace gluten exposures vary. Some may tolerate Costco chicken with no issues while others react strongly. People highly sensitive to gluten should avoid it. In general, certified gluten-free poultry products are the safest option for people with celiac disease looking to minimize symptom and health risks.
