Beef direct purchaser price-fixing $52.5M class action settlement

JBS, Swift Beef Co. and other beef processors agreed to a $52.5 million class action settlement to resolve claims that they worked together to engage in direct purchaser product price-fixing.

The price-fixing settlement benefits consumers and entities who purchased boxed or case-ready beef directly from Cargill, JBS, National Beef or Tyson between Jan. 1, 2015, and Feb. 10, 2022.

According to plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit, beef-processing companies conspired to raise and fix the price of beef products. As a result of the conspiracy, direct purchasers were allegedly forced to pay high prices for beef.

JBS is a food company that sells meat under various brands, such as Pilgrims, Swift, Primo and Great Southern.

JBS and its affiliates haven’t admitted wrongdoing but agreed to pay $52.5 million to resolve the antitrust class action lawsuit.

Under the terms of the settlement, class members can receive a cash payment. However, settlement payments and distribution details will not be released until a later date. 

The deadline for exclusion and objection has passed.

The final approval hearing for the beef direct purchaser prices settlement is scheduled for April 1, 2024.

In order to receive a settlement payment, class members must submit a valid claim form by March 4, 2024.

Who’s Eligible

Consumers and entities who purchased boxed or case-ready beef directly from Cargill, JBS, National Beef, or Tyson between Jan. 1, 2015, and Feb. 10, 2022

Potential Award

TBD

Proof of Purchase

Receipts, invoices, purchase orders and other proof of purchase.

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

03/04/2024

Case Name

In re: Cattle and Beef Antitrust Litigation, Case No. 0:20-cv-01319-JRT-HB, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota

Final Hearing

04/01/2024

Settlement Website

BeefDirectPurchaserSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

DPP Beef Litigation
c/o A.B. Data Ltd.
PO Box 173066
Milwaukee, WI 53217
info@BeefDirectPurchaserSettlement.com
877-331-0717

Class Counsel

Daniel E Gustafson
GUSTAFSON GLUEK PLLC

Megan E Jones
HAUSFELD LLP

Jason S Hartley
HARTLEY LLP 

Adam J Zapala
COTCHETT PITRE & MCCARTHY LLP

Defense Counsel

Stephen R Neuwirth
Sami H Rashid
QUINN EMANUEL URQUHART & SULLIVAN LLP