Breyers Ice Cream is set to pay nearly $9 million as part of a class action lawsuit, and you might be eligible to claim a portion of the settlement. On September 13, the New York State Supreme Court, Bronx County, announced the settlement against Conopco Inc. and Unilever United States Inc., which are, respectively, the marketer and parent company of Breyers.
“The plaintiffs filed this lawsuit against the defendants, claiming that Breyers’ Natural Vanilla Ice Cream labeling gave consumers the impression that the flavor was solely derived from vanilla beans and not other sources,” the court stated. “The defendants deny all these claims and have denied any wrongdoing. The court has not ruled on who is right.”
Who Is Eligible to Claim a Payment?
Consumers who purchased Breyers Natural Vanilla Ice Cream between April 21, 2016, and August 14, 2024, may be eligible to receive cash compensation. While the jury has not yet ruled on whether the vanilla flavor was truly natural, the defendants have agreed to establish an $8.85 million settlement fund for customers who purchased the product.
Eligible consumers will receive $1 per carton of Breyers Natural Vanilla Ice Cream purchased within the specified timeframe. To claim this compensation, customers must provide proof of purchase. Those with valid receipts can file as many claims as they can verify.
For customers without proof of purchase, the court allows up to eight claims, which could result in a payout of up to $8 per person.
Additionally, the court ruled that within one year of the settlement’s conclusion, Breyers must “develop a new product formula that excludes vanilla flavor derived from non-vanilla plant sources.” Ice cream enthusiasts interested in filing a claim can do so through vanillaicecreamsettlement.com.
What Is a Class Action Lawsuit?
A class action lawsuit is a legal case that addresses the rights and claims of multiple individuals in one trial. These lawsuits typically involve plaintiffs or class members who have suffered similar harm due to the unlawful actions of another party, often a corporation or industry leaders. By joining forces, these individuals strengthen their case and lower legal costs.
Taking a large corporation to court can be prohibitively expensive for individual plaintiffs, so class actions allow people to share the financial burden. The lawsuit begins with a lead plaintiff who brings together others who have experienced similar harm. All class members voluntarily participate in the suit.
The lead plaintiff and other members usually select a class attorney. This attorney or legal team represents the entire class in court. The attorney files the necessary documents to certify the class. Once approved, anyone who believes they are entitled to compensation can join and become a class member. After certification, other potential members can choose whether to participate or opt out of the lawsuit.