Korean Ramen Noodles Price-Fixing Class Action Settlement

Samyang Foods Co. Ltd. has agreed to a settlement in a consolidated antitrust class action lawsuit that accuses several Korean ramen noodle companies of engaging in anticompetitive conduct with regard to the sale of the ramen noodle products, resulting in consumers paying a higher price than they would have otherwise paid in a competitive market.

The consolidated price-fixing class action lawsuit is known as In re: Korean Ramen Antitrust Litigation, and it alleges the makers of Korean ramen noodles conspired to illegally fix, raise, maintain and/or stabilize the prices of Korean noodles purchased in the United States in violation of federal antitrust laws.

The defendants named in the Korean noodle class action lawsuit include Nongshim Co. Ltd, Nongshim America Inc., Ottogi Co. Ltd., Ottogi America Inc. and Samyang Foods Co. Ltd. These defendants are currently the only ones remaining in the litigation.

Sam Yang (USA) Inc., Paldo Co. Ltd. and Korea Yakult Co. Ltd. were dismissed and are no longer named as defendants.

The Korean ramen needle companies have denied the allegations.

Currently, Samyang is the only company to agree to settle the Korean noodle class action lawsuit.

If the Samyang class action settlement is approved, Samyang will pay $1 million to the Direct Purchaser Class and $500,000 to the Indirect Purchaser Class.

Who’s Eligible

Two Classes have been certified in the Korean noodle class action lawsuit: a Direct Purchaser Class and an Indirect Purchaser Class.

The Direct Purchaser Class includes persons or businesses who purchased Korean noodles directly from any of the defendants at any time during the period of May 1, 2001 to Dec. 31, 2010.

The Indirect Purchaser Class includes persons or entities who purchased Korean noodles from a retailer, distributor or other entity between May 1, 2001 and Dec. 31, 2010.

Potential Award

N/A. There is no money available at this time. To receive updates about this case, you can submit your information to the Settlement Administrator using the “Sign Up to Receive Case Updates” button below.

Proof of Purchase

N/A. The Claim Filing period is not yet open. Top Class Actions will post an update when more information about how to file a claim becomes available.

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Exclusion Deadline

Class Members who wish to exclude themselves from or object to the proposed Korean noodle settlement with Samyang must do so no later than July 20, 2016.

Case Name

In re: Korean Ramen Antitrust Litigation, Case No. 3:13-cv-4115-WHO-DMR, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

Final Hearing

8/17/2016

Settlement Website

www.RamenClassAction.com

Claims Administrator

Korean Noodles Settlement
c/o Gilardi & Co. LLC
P.O. Box 8060
San Rafael, CA 94901
(877) 368-8668
info@RamenClassAction.com

Class Counsel

Direct Purchaser Class Counsel:
GLANCY PRONGAY AND MURRAY LLP
HAUSFELD LLP

Indirect Purchaser Class Counsel:
IZARD NOBEL LLP
BRAMSON PLUTZIK MAHLER & BIRKHOUSER LLP

Defense Counsel

Counsel for Samyang Foods Co. Ltd.:
Elizabeth Mann
Justin R. Dickerson
MAYER BROWN LLP