Experts uncover worrying details about staple consumed by households every single week

When you're rushing through your weekly shop, few things seem as practical as grabbing a golden rotisserie chicken from the warmer. It's affordable, convenient, and ready to serve—but mounting evidence suggests this shopping staple might be risking your health in ways you never imagined.

The concern isn't just about the chicken itself, but about what happens when hot, oily food sits in plastic packaging for hours under heat lamps.

Recent research and expert warnings are painting a troubling picture of chemical contamination that could be affecting millions of Australian families every week.

The plastic problem hiding in plain sight

Dr Daniel Pompa, a US cellular health specialist, has issued a stark warning about supermarket rotisserie chickens, stating that 'the chicken is in a plastic bag and under a heat lamp.

Heating plastic can leach chemicals into your food.' His concerns aren't isolated—they're backed by growing scientific evidence about the dangers of combining heat, plastic, and fatty foods.

A December 2024 study published in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety found that frequent plastic exposure may increase the risk of heart disease. But the problem goes deeper than just one study.

Animal-based studies have found worrying evidence that microplastics may increase disease risk and limit the function of the immune system, among other unwanted health outcomes.

The chemistry is straightforward but concerning. When plastic containers holding hot, fatty foods are kept under warming lights, the heat accelerates the breakdown of plastic polymers.

Heat causes plastic to break down and release microplastics and harmful compounds that can leach into the food. Even after the chicken cools to room temperature, chemical leaching can still occur.

The Costco case study that shocked shoppers

The concerns became front-page news when Costco switched from hard plastic containers to flexible plastic bags for rotisserie chickens in March 2024 to reduce plastic use and emissions. What seemed like an environmental win quickly became a health controversy.

The new bags have drawn particular concern because the hot chickens sit directly in the plastic, raising questions about potential chemical exposure.

Many customers have taken to social media to voice their frustrations over the new bags, primarily citing issues with leaks.

Even more alarming, some customers are claiming that the change is making them sick, with social media users reporting that they have fallen ill twice after eating Costco's rotisserie chicken since the packaging change, with one stating 'I think it develops bacteria.'

The contrast with the old packaging is stark. The hard top of the old packaging was rigid and more of a dome shape and didn't really make contact with the top of the hot, steaming chicken inside, while the new bags wrap directly around the hot meat.

What chemicals are we talking about?

The plastic used in rotisserie chicken packaging isn't just any plastic—it contains a cocktail of potentially harmful substances.

Rotisserie chicken containers are often made from polypropylene (PP), which may contain antioxidants, plasticizers, and stabilizers; polystyrene (PS), made from styrene which is classified as a possible human carcinogen; polyethylene (PE), which may contain UV stabilizers or antioxidants that can leach into food when heated and may release endocrine-disrupting chemicals; and BPA, a known endocrine disrupter linked to hormonal imbalances and other health risks.

Phthalates, BPA, and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals have been linked to fertility issues, developmental problems in children, and hormone imbalances in adults. Studies have shown that regular exposure to these chemicals can mimic estrogen in the body, contributing to weight gain, mood swings, and metabolic issues.

What this means for Australian shoppers

While the research focuses heavily on American retailers, Australian supermarkets face the same fundamental challenge: keeping hot food safe in plastic containers.

Australia has strict regulations and standards to make sure our food is safe, but these standards may not fully account for the cumulative effects of plastic chemical exposure over time.

The convenience factor is particularly important for Australian seniors who rely on quick meal solutions. Rotisserie chickens from Coles, Woolworths, and other local retailers offer the same appeal—affordable protein that's ready to eat. But they also present the same potential risks.

Safer alternatives that won't break the budget

The good news is that you don't have to give up convenience entirely. Costco and other stores do carry better alternatives, including organic, unseasoned rotisserie chickens, which typically contain fewer additives and are raised with slightly better farming practices.

While they may still come in plastic packaging, they are usually free of the worst chemical seasonings and preservatives.

Instead of buying rotisserie chicken, health experts suggest a healthier alternative: Buy raw chicken and roast it at home with olive oil, lemon, salt, and pepper for a safer and healthier meal. For Australian seniors, this could mean batch-cooking on weekends—roasting two chickens at once and using the meat throughout the week.

If you're in a hurry and need a protein source for dinner, consider canned wild-caught salmon, grass-fed beef jerky, or nitrate-free deli meats as healthier, grab-and-go alternatives.

These foods provide high-quality protein without the same level of chemical exposure and questionable farming practices.

The immediate action you should take

While rotisserie chicken bags are designed to safely hold hot items, so the risk is relatively low, it's still advisable to remove the chicken from the plastic packaging as soon as possible to limit exposure.

Your best bet is to unpack the food as soon as you get it home. After freeing the chicken from its plastic confinement, you can cut it into smaller pieces and place them in an airtight container to be refrigerated.

Making sense of the mixed messages

The reality is that while the bags are reportedly designed to be FDA-approved for hot food storage, minimising the duration hot food is kept in any plastic packaging is recommended to avoid potential leaching of plastic additives or breakdown of the plastic polymer.

This creates a grey area where products can be technically 'safe' while still posing cumulative health risks.

Food science experts note that 'whether the bag or tray harbours more bacteria depends on many factors and post-cooking handling' and 'without further information on this situation, it is difficult to determine what might be causing these claims.' The uncertainty itself is concerning when it comes tothe food we eat regularly.

The bigger picture for your health

Rotisserie chicken might seem like a simple and wholesome meal, but a closer look reveals that it's far from the clean, healthy protein source many people assume it to be.

Combining factory farming, chemical cleaning processes, artificial seasonings, and plastic packaging creates a toxic food product that may contribute to long-term health issues. While it's convenient, the trade-offs in terms of quality and safety are hard to ignore.

This doesn't mean you need to panic about the occasional rotisserie chicken, but it does suggest that regular consumption—say, weekly or more—might warrant reconsideration. For seniors on fixed incomes who rely on convenient protein sources, the key is finding the right balance between convenience, cost, and health protection.

A practical approach for Australian families

The solution isn't necessarily to avoid rotisserie chicken entirely, but to be strategic about how you buy and handle it. Look for chickens that appear freshly cooked rather than ones that have been sitting under heat lamps for hours.

Choose rigid containers over flexible bags when possible. And most importantly, transfer the meat to proper storage containers as soon as you get home.

Consider alternating rotisserie chicken weeks with batch-cooking your own. Many Australian seniors find that cooking two chickens at once on a Sunday provides enough protein for multiple meals throughout the week, with the added benefit of knowing exactly what's in their food.

The convenience of grabbing a ready-made dinner will always be appealing, especially when you're managing a busy schedule or dealing with mobility issues that make cooking challenging. The goal isn't to eliminate convenience, but to make more informed choices about the convenience foods you choose and how you handle them once you get home.

What's your experience with rotisserie chicken? Have you noticed any changes in packaging at your local supermarket, or do you have tips for quick, healthy meal preparation that other readers might find helpful? Share your thoughts in the comments below—your insights could help fellow shoppers make better choices for their health and budget.