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This settlement is closed!
Please see what other class action settlements you might qualify to claim cash from in our Open Settlements directory!
UPDATE 3:
- Top Class Actions viewers reported this settlement paying out up to $8.30 as of late August 2021.
- Congratulations to everyone who filed a claim and got paid!
UPDATE 2:
- On April 22, 2021, the motion to distribute McCormick Black Pepper Slack-Fill class action settlement funds was approved by the court.
- Let Top Class Actions know when you receive a check in the comments section below or on our Facebook page.
UPDATE:
- The motion to distribute settlement funds was submitted to the court for approval on Jan. 22, 2021.
- Top Class Actions will let our viewers know as soon as we learn the motion has been approved by the court.
McCormick has agreed to pay $2.5 million to resolve claims made by customers stating their black pepper products were underfilled.
The settlement benefits California, Florida and Missouri residents who purchased McCormick or other private label brand black pepper products between Jan. 1, 2015 and Jan. 27, 2020. A full list of eligible products is available in the “Who’s Eligible” section below.
Several plaintiffs have taken legal action against McCormick & Co., claiming the company “slack-filled” their black pepper tins, resulting in overpriced products.
In December 2015, many of these complaints were consolidated into a multidistrict litigation under a judge in Washington, D.C.
In July 2016, McCormick attempted to shirk liability in the consolidated class action, claiming that selling their black pepper in a certain sized container isn’t considered to be false advertising. However, the plaintiff counsel clapped back at this statement, arguing the size of a container is an “implicit representation of the fact that it’s full.”
McCormick has not agreed to any wrongdoing but agreed to resolve the claims against them in a $2.5 million settlement.
Consumers are eligible to collect payments of $4 per container with proof of purchase. Proof of purchase can include a receipt, a record of retailer loyalty club purchases, or a photo of the container and UPC code.
Those Class Members who are unable to provide proof of purchase are able to submit a claim for $4 per container, up to $8 per household.
In order to benefit from the settlement, Class Members need to file a valid claim by May 15, 2020. If Class Members do not want to partake in the settlement, they need to object or exclude themselves by May 4, 2020. The final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for June 3, 2020.
Who’s Eligible
California, Florida and Missouri residents who purchased McCormick or private label brand black pepper products between Jan. 1, 2015 and Jan. 27, 2020.
The following McCormick brand black pepper products are eligible:
- McCormick Ground Black Pepper 1.5 oz. (UPC: 052100029924)
- McCormick Ground Black Pepper 3 oz. (UPC: 052100029962)
- McCormick Ground Black Pepper 6 oz. (UPC: 052100030104)
- McCormick Black Peppercorn Grinder 1 oz. (UPC: 052100030265)
- McCormick Black Peppercorn Grinder 2.5 oz. (UPC: 052100030654)
The following private label black pepper products are eligible:
- Always Save Ground Black Pepper 3 oz. (UPC: 70038641964)
- Always Save Ground Black Pepper 6 oz. (UPC: 70038641971)
- Best Choice Ground Black Pepper 3 oz. 70038641957
- Essential Everyday Ground Black Pepper 1.5 oz. (UPC: 41303057605)
- Essential Everyday Ground Black Pepper 3 oz. (UPC: 41303057599)
- Family Gourmet Ground Black Pepper 1.5 oz. (UPC: 32251159749)
- Family Gourmet Ground Black Pepper 3 oz. (UPC: 32251159732)
- Gold Emblem Ground Black Pepper 1.5 oz. (UPC: 50428520147)
- Great Value Ground Black Pepper 3 oz. (UPC: 78742067100)
- Great Value Ground Black Pepper 6 oz. (UPC: 78742067117)
- Publix Ground Black Pepper 1.5 oz. (UPC: 41415067318)
- Publix Ground Black Pepper 3 oz. (UPC: 41415068315)
- Publix Ground Black Pepper 6 oz. (UPC: 41415066311)
- Signature Select Ground Black Pepper 1.5 oz. (UPC: 21130152643)
- Signature Select Ground Black Pepper 3 oz. (UPC: 21130152650)
- Southern Home Ground Black Pepper 3 oz. (UPC: 60788003806)
- Special Value Ground Black Pepper 6 oz. (UPC: 41380296317)
- Spice Treasures Ground Black Pepper 3 oz. (UPC: 17300010509)
- Springfield Ground Black Pepper 1.5 oz. (UPC: 41380295020)
- Springfield Ground Black Pepper 3 oz. (UPC: 41380295037)
- Winn Dixie Ground Black Pepper 3 oz. (UPC: 21140026798)
- Winn Dixie Ground Black Pepper 6 oz. (UPC: 21140026804)
Potential Award
$4 per container.
Class Members who can provide proof of purchase may receive $4 per container. Those without proof of purchase may receive $4 per container, up to $8 per household.
Proof of Purchase
Proof of black pepper purchase (receipt, record of retailer loyalty club purchases, photo of the container and UPC code).
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
5/15/2020
Case Name
In Re: McCormick & Co. Inc. Pepper Products Marketing and Sales Practices Litigation, MDL No. 2665, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
Final Hearing
6/3/2020
UPDATE: The McCormick Black Pepper Slack-Fill Class Action Settlement was granted final approval on June 5, 2020. Let Top Class Actions know when you receive a check in the comments section below or on our Facebook page.
Settlement Website
Claims Administrator
McCormick Pepper Products Settlement
c/o Heffler Claims Group
P.O. Box 58238
Philadelphia, PA 19102-8238
1-844-702-2783
Class Counsel
Scott A. Kamber
KAMBERLAW LLC
Elizabeth A. Fegan
FEGAN SCOTT LLC
Defense Counsel
David H. Bambherger
DLA PIPER LLP US
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503 thoughts onMcCormick Black Pepper Slack-Fill Class Action Settlement
I use McCormick pepper all the time I use the grinder and the shaker can I don’t have receipt . If I saved all my receipt from shopping I would have to have a seperate place to put them
I used McCormick black pepper seasonig but I didn’t save anying receipts you don’t think you need to save them.I was raised up on McCormick brand seasoning that was the only seasoning and flavors for cakes and pies.
Please add me. I have purchased McCormick pepper and great value pepper sure don’t have a receipt for that and I live in Ohio. Same results.
I live in Texas and only buy McCormick Black Pepper. Who aren’t Texas included in this lawsuit???
This suit she go out to all of America. I buy McCormick seasoning, pepper included. What about South Carolina
It clearly states, you may make a claim by taking a photo of the can and UPC.
How come when you click on previous comments they go to a different page?
I, for one, would like to read other comments.
Anyone else?
Yeah, I’m truly tickled pink from some of the comments! They’re hilarious ?.
I would not waste my time doing a Class Action. All you get paid is $4.00? Here in Chicago a 3 oz. can of McCormick black pepper is over $4.00. What a rip-off, regardless of where you live.The lawyers will be getting all the money. By the time you get paid, you would most likely use up 6 cans of pepper.
ha-ha the lawyers drawing up these settlements are getting pretty wicked lol.. who will honestly keep all their receipts.. so i am assuming if everybody doesn’t get a piece of this pie that they money will either go to lawyers or maybe who knows????? the company gets to keep more of it.. or perhaps insurance won’t pay out as much? however you cut it, it’s pretty insidious lol
well….who is going to save receipts from back then? .five years worth of receipts. ridiculous…I and many women buy McCormick spices/black pepper. this is done so they do not have to pay out. all companies have been ripping off the public with the size of package vs product inside. the only way to know if the container holds the amount the container states is too pour out contents before you use it. and by then, due to settling during shipping, or filling containers; the amount maybe a tad less. when you buy products most of cost is for labor, their shipping costs, and the container it is in.
What if you don’t have a receipt on the black pepper can you still file
Please add me, i cook at least 3 times a week and use many of McCormick products