Class Action Lawsuit: StarKist Agrees to $152.2M Settlement for Tuna Price-Fixing

Company
StarKist & Lion

Why
Conspiracy to raise, fix, maintain, or stabilize the price of packaged tuna products

Total Settlement Amount
$152.2M

Maximum Individual Claimant Award
$24.50 for every 200 cans purchased

Claim Deadline
December 31, 2024

We've all grabbed a can of tuna or tuna packets off the grocery store shelf, but few of us realized we might have been paying artificially high prices. In a major tuna class action lawsuit development, StarKist tuna has agreed to pay $152.2 million to settle allegations of price-fixing. This StarKist settlement marks a significant victory for consumers who purchased StarKist tuna products between June 1, 2011, and July 1, 2015, known as the class period. We'll explain what this tuna lawsuit means for consumers and how they can claim their share of the settlement benefits.

Settlement Overview and Eligibility

The settlement structure brings together multiple components to create a substantial compensation fund for the Packaged Seafood Products Antitrust Litigation. StarKist tuna has agreed to pay $130 million over an eighteen-month period, while Lion Capital will contribute $6 million. When combined with the $16.2 million from the Chicken of the Sea class action lawsuit settlement (COSI Settlement), we're looking at a total settlement fund of $152.2 million for this canned tuna lawsuit.

We want to highlight that eligible class members can expect to receive approximately $0.12 per can, or about $24.50 for every 200 cans purchased. To qualify for compensation in this tuna lawsuit, indirect purchasers must have bought packaged tuna products in cans or pouched tuna smaller than 40 ounces during the class period from June 1, 2011, to July 1, 2015. The tuna end purchaser settlement covers residents from the following states and territories:

• Arizona, Arkansas, California, District of Columbia, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin

For those seeking to claim seafood settlement benefits, we want to emphasize that claims must be submitted by December 31, 2024. Importantly, consumers who previously filed claims in the Chicken of the Sea tuna settlement don't need to submit another claim form. Payment distribution will begin after the court grants final approval, all required funds are paid, and any appeals in the antitrust litigation are resolved.

Consumer Impact and Compensation

Let's break down what this tuna class action lawsuit settlement means for consumers' wallets. We're looking at a compensation structure where affected consumers can receive approximately $0.12 per can or $24.50 for every 200 cans purchased. The actual amount each consumer receives will depend on several factors, including the total number of valid claims filed and final administrative costs.

We want to emphasize some important dates and requirements for our readers:

• Claim submission deadline: December 31, 2024

• Final approval hearing: November 22, 2024

• Minimum payment threshold: $5.00

For those wondering about the payment timeline, we expect distributions to begin after the November 22, 2024 final approval hearing, pending any appeals. It's important to note that if you've already submitted a claim in the Chicken of the Sea (COSI) Settlement, you won't need to file another claim form.

We should mention that the settlement administrator, JND Legal Administration, has streamlined the process for some consumers. Those who received postcards showing qualifying purchase values will automatically receive payments based on these amounts. However, if you received a postcard without purchase values, you'll need to take action to participate in the settlement.

Legal Background and Conspiracy Allegations

The origins of this massive tuna case trace back to 2015, when a routine merger review by the Department of Justice uncovered something unexpected. While examining Thai Union's potential acquisition of Bumble Bee Foods, investigators discovered evidence of industry-wide price fixing.

We found that the conspiracy ran deep, with StarKist tuna controlling approximately 40% of the market share. The investigation revealed that from November 2011 through December 2013, the major tuna companies had been artificially manipulating prices, affecting more than $600 million in canned tuna sales.

The legal consequences were severe:

• StarKist tuna pleaded guilty in 2018 and was ordered to pay a $100 million criminal fine

• Bumble Bee Foods admitted guilt and agreed to pay $25 million in fines

• Former Bumble Bee CEO Christopher Lischewski received a 40-month prison sentence

What makes this tuna case particularly striking is the evidence that emerged during the proceedings. Former employees testified that Lischewski had given "very clear, direct" orders to fix canned tuna prices. Before the price-fixing scheme began, he had complained that canned tuna was "too cheap" and wanted prices artificially increased for consumers.

The investigation expanded beyond criminal proceedings into civil litigation, with the Washington tuna settlement becoming the first state to sue StarKist tuna for the price-fixing scheme. The antitrust litigation involved extensive discovery, including millions of documents and over 200 depositions, leading to what we now see as one of the most significant antitrust class action settlements in the industry's history.

Conclusion

This landmark $152.2 million StarKist settlement represents a significant victory for consumers while highlighting corporate accountability in the packaged seafood industry. Our analysis shows that StarKist tuna's price-fixing scheme affected millions of Americans who purchased packaged tuna products between June 1, 2011, and July 1, 2015, artificially inflating prices across multiple states and territories.

The compensation structure offers eligible class members reimbursement at $0.12 per can, potentially adding up to substantial amounts for regular tuna buyers. The antitrust litigation revealed troubling details about deliberate price manipulation in the tuna industry, resulting in criminal fines, civil penalties, and even prison time for key executives. This case demonstrates how regulatory oversight and legal action protect consumer interests and maintain market integrity. Eligible class members should remember the December 31, 2024 deadline for claim submissions.