Dole Fruit Bowls false advertising $4.3M class action settlement

Updates:

• Readers reported this settlement paying out $9 as of Dec. 11, 2023.
• Congratulations to everyone who filed a claim and got paid!

• The court granted this settlement final approval Oct. 26, 2023.
• Let Top Class Actions know when you receive a check in the comments section below or on our Settlements & Payouts Facebook group.

Dole agreed to pay over $4.3 million as part of a class action lawsuit settlement to resolve claims it falsely advertised its fruit cups as containing “100% juice” — and no proof of purchase is required for consumers to benefit.

The settlement benefits consumers who purchased Dole Cherry Mixed Fruit, Diced Apples, Diced Pears, Diced/Chunk Mango, Papaya Mango, Peach Mango, Mandarin Oranges, Pineapple Tidbits/Slices/Chunks/Crushed, Mixed Fruit, Pineapple Paradise, Red Grapefruit Sunrise, Melon Medley, Tropical Fruit or Diced/Sliced Peaches labeled “in 100% juice” or “in 100% fruit juice” between Jan. 12, 2017, and June 27, 2023.

Plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit challenge Dole’s advertising of its fruit cups as containing fruit “in 100% juice.” According to the plaintiffs, the fruit cup products actually contain trace amounts of ascorbic acid, citric acid and other non-juice ingredients.

Dole is a fruit and vegetable company that sells a wide range of products, including fruit cups.

Dole hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to a $4.3 million settlement to resolve the fruit bowl false advertising class action lawsuit.

Under the terms of the Dole fruit bowl settlement, class members can receive a cash payment for the products they purchased. 

Without proof of purchase, class members can receive a refund of up to $9. With proof of purchase, class members can receive a larger refund of up to $18.

As part of the settlement, Dole has agreed to remove “100% juice” claims from its product packaging or take other action to make its packaging more accurate.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is Sept. 25, 2023.

The final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for Oct. 26, 2023.

In order to receive a settlement payment, class members must submit a valid claim form by Sept. 25, 2023.

Who’s Eligible

Consumers who purchased Dole Cherry Mixed Fruit, Diced Apples, Diced Pears, Diced/Chunk Mango, Papaya Mango, Peach Mango, Mandarin Oranges, Pineapple Tidbits/Slices/Chunks/Crushed, Mixed Fruit, Pineapple Paradise, Red Grapefruit Sunrise, Melon Medley, Tropical Fruit, or Diced/Sliced Peaches labeled “in 100% juice” or “in 100% fruit juice” between Jan. 12, 2017, and June 27, 2023

Potential Award

$18

Proof of Purchase

No proof of purchase is required; however, proof of purchase may result in a higher payment.

Acceptable proof of purchase is a receipt or other documentation from a third-party commercial source that, in the sole discretion of the settlement administrator, reasonably establishes the purchase of the product at issue, the quantity purchased and that the product was purchased in the United States or any of its territories during the class period.

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

09/25/2023

Case Name

Jackson v. Dole Packaged Foods LLC, Case No. 22-LA0022, in the Circuit Court for the 20th Judicial Circuit in St. Clair County, Illinois

Final Hearing

10/26/2023

Settlement Website

FruitMarketingSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Fruit Marketing Settlement
c/o Settlement Administrator
1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210
Philadelphia, PA19103
833-990-2010

Class Counsel

Stuart L Cochran 
Blake E Mattingly
COCHRAN LAW PLLC

David C Nelson
NELSON & NELSON ATTORNEYS AT LAW PC

Matthew Armstrong
ARMSTRONG LAW FIRM LLC

Robert L King
LAW OFFICE OF ROBERT L KING

Defense Counsel

Sarah L Brew 
Tyler A Young 
FAEGRE DRINKER BIDDLE & REATH LLP