Fairlife milk cow mistreatment $21M class action settlement

Updates:

• Top Class Actions readers reported this settlement paying out up to $92.47 as of early October 2023.
• Congratulations to everyone who filed a claim and got paid!

• Final approval for the Fairlife milk cows class action lawsuit settlement was granted Sept. 28, 2022.

• Let Top Class Actions know when you receive a check in the comments section below or on our Facebook page.

Milk product company Fairlife, its parent company Coca-Cola and other defendants agreed to a $21 million settlement to resolve class action lawsuit claims they lied to consumers about mistreating cows.

The settlement benefits consumers who purchased Fairlife or Fair Oak Farms milk products on or before April 27, 2022. The settlement covers milk, ice cream, butter, yogurt and other dairy products from both Fairlife and Fair Oak Farms. A full list of included products is available on the settlement website.

According to a multidistrict litigation against Fairlife, Fair Oak Farms, Coca-Cola and other companies, Fairlife and Fair Oak Farms milk products use false advertising that promises the milk comes from dairy cows that are treated humanely. Specifically, labeling on Fairlife milk products reportedly claims the cows are treated with “the utmost care” and “extraordinary care and comfort.” 

Despite these marketing claims, Fairlife allegedly mistreats cows and lies to customers about this conduct. Plaintiffs in the Fairlife class action lawsuit accuse the dairy brand of “horrific animal abuse.” Instead of treating its cows fairly as customers expect, Fairlife allegedly lies to consumers and creates an ethical marketing facade in order to charge a higher price for its products.

“Plaintiff’s payment of the Fairlife Milk Products was at a premium since the Products were not worth their advertised prices because the statements were false and misleading,” the Fairlife class action lawsuit contends.

According to the plaintiffs, they and other customers would not have paid a premium price for Fairlife or Fair Oak Farms milk products if they knew the truth about the brand’s treatment of dairy cows.

Fairlife, Fair Oak Farms, Fairlife’s parent company — The Coca-Cola Co. — and other defendants named in the case  haven’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to resolve the consolidated class action lawsuit with a $21 million settlement.

Under the terms of the deal, class members can collect a cash payment based on the Fairlife products they purchased. 

The settlement allows for refunds of up to 25%, though the deal caps payments for class members at $80 with proof of purchase or $20 without proof of purchase. Class members who claim purchases both with and without proof of purchase can collect payments of up to $100. Actual payment amounts may be higher or lower depending on the number of claims filed with the settlement.

Proof of purchase included with a claim could be a store receipt, physical milk bottle or other records that document purchases of eligible Fairlife or Fair Oak Farms products.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is Aug. 25, 2022. 

The final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for Sept. 28, 2022.

In order to benefit from the settlement, Class Members must submit a valid claim form with the administrator by Dec. 27, 2022.

Who’s Eligible

The settlement benefits consumers who purchased Fairlife or Fair Oak Farms milk products on or before April 27, 2022. The settlement covers milk, ice cream, butter, yogurt and other dairy products from both Fairlife and Fair Oak Farms. A full list of included products is available on the settlement website.

Potential Award

Up to $100

Proof of Purchase

No proof of purchase required but need receipts for maximum award.

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

12/27/2022

Case Name

In re: Fairlife Milk Products Marketing and Sales Practices Litigation, MDL No. 2909, Lead Case No. 1:19-cv-03924-RMD-MDW, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Final Hearing

09/28/2022

Settlement Website

fairlifeMilkSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

In re fairlife Milk Products Litigation
P.O. Box 5569
Portland, OR 97228–5569
info@fairlifeMilkSettlement.com
855-604-1865

Class Counsel

Amy E Keller
DICELLO LEVITT GUTZLER LLC

Melissa S Weiner
PEARSON SIMON & WARSHAW LLP

Michael R Reese
REESE LLP

Defense Counsel

Mark S Mester
Robert C Collins III
LATHAM & WATKINS LLP

Timothy B Hardwicke
Brian P Borchard
GOODSMITH GREGG & UNRUH LLP

Jeffrey S Cashdan
KING & SPALDING LLP