Quorn Foods Class Action Settlement

Quorn Foods Inc., a manufacturer of vegetarian and vegan food products, has agreed to settle a proposed nationwide class action lawsuit over allegations it misled consumers into buying products made from fermented mold (a type of fungi), not mushroom-based protein as the product package reportedly implies.

Lead plaintiff Kimberly Birbrower filed the class action lawsuit in January 2016 against Quorn Foods alleging that the company failed to adequately disclose that the “Mycoprotein” used in its products is a mold member of the fungi family.

The lawsuit further claims the following statement on the labels of Quorn’s products is false and misleading: “Quorn [products] are made with mycoprotein (‘myco’ is Greek for ‘fungi’) and are completely meatless and soy-free. There are believed to be over 600,000 varieties of fungi in the world, many of which are among the most sought after foods like varieties of mushroom, truffles, and morels.”

Birbrower contends this statement misleadingly suggests that Quorn products are made from mushrooms, truffles or morels, as opposed to mold. Quorn denies the allegations and disputes that the quoted language was intended to, or actually does, convey the information the complaint suggests.

Under the terms of the Quorn Foods class action settlement, Class Members may be entitled to a full refund for purchases made between Jan. 26, 2012 and Dec. 14, 2016 with a proof of purchase, or other monetary remedies as provided for in the settlement.

Based on the total number of Quorn products sold during the Claims Period and the average sales price of each product, it is estimated the total amount paid by the Class for Quorn products during this time may be as high as $120 million.

Quorn will also be asked to pay plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees in the amount of $1.35 million and a $5,000 incentive award to Birbrower for her role in bringing the class action lawsuit. Any attorneys’ fees and incentive awards will not affect the amount paid to settlement Class Members and the specific amounts will ultimately be determined by the court.

Additionally, as part of the settlement, Quorn has agreed that the “Allergic Consumers” section on the back label and/or side label of Quorn products will be moved from its current location and will be prominently placed at or near the top of the back and/or side label (as applicable).

The statement in the “Allergic Consumers” section will be modified to state: “There have been rare cases of allergic reactions to products that contain mycoprotein, a mold (member of the fungi family). Mycoprotein is high in protein and fiber which may cause intolerance in some people. We do not use any ingredients derived from genetically modified sources in this product.”

Quorn has also agreed to remove from its product labels, advertising and website the following statement: “There are believed to be over 600,000 varieties of fungi in the world, many of which are among the most sought after foods like varieties of mushroom, truffles, and morels.” Quorn has also agreed not to use that statement or its functional equivalent in any future advertising.

These label changes will only be required to be made to Quorn products manufactured after the “effective date” of this settlement and imposes no obligation on Quorn to withdraw current Quorn products from retailers.

Quorn denies any and all wrongdoing of any kind whatsoever, and denies any liability to the plaintiff and to the settlement Class.

Class Members who wish to exclude themselves or object to the terms of the settlement must do so by March 30, 2017.

Who’s Eligible

The settlement Class includes “all persons in the United States who purchased Quorn Products in the United States for personal or household consumption (and not for resale) during the time-period January 26, 2012 through December 14, 2016.”

If you are still not sure whether you are a Class Member eligible to receive compensation in the settlement, you can call the Claims Administrator toll free at 1-800-399-9796 or email info@QuornFoodsSettlement.com.

Potential Award

Varies.

Class Members who timely submit valid Claim Forms with required supporting documentation are entitled to receive a cash payment as part of the settlement.

If You Have A Receipt That Shows You Purchased A Quorn Product: Class Members who have itemized receipts for their purchases of Quorn products during the Class Period can receive a full 100 percent refund of the actual amount paid for the items as reflected on the receipt, with no limit on the total amount of the refunds that may be claimed.

If You Do Not Have A Receipt: Class Members who do not have receipts for their purchases of Quorn products can receive up to $200 in refunds by submitting a credit or debit card statement, or non-itemized receipt, showing charges at a store where Quorn products were sold during the Class Period.

Under this option, you must submit a Claim Form, identify the months in which you made a Quorn purchase, and attest under penalty of perjury that the information you are providing is true and correct to the best of your knowledge.

You will get $5 for each month in which you submit a credit or debit card statement, or non-itemized receipt, showing you made purchases at a store where Quorn products were sold, up to a total of $40 per year for each year of five year Class Period, for a total of $200.

Proof of Purchase

For a full refund, you must provide a valid, itemized receipt or receipts showing you purchased Quorn products in the U.S. between Jan. 26, 2012 and Dec. 14, 2016.

Claimants who do not have a valid, itemized receipt(s), will need to provide an alternative proof or purchase document such as a credit or debit card statement or a non-itemized receipt showing you made purchases at a store that sold Quorn products during the Class Period in order to obtain $5 per month for each month in which an alternative proof of purchase was shown up to a cap of $40 per year for each year of the five year Class Period (for a total maximum cap of $200).

Claim Form

CLICK HERE TO FILE A CLAIM »

Claim Form Deadline

6/1/2017

Case Name

Birbrower v. Quorn Foods Inc., Case No. 2:16-cv-01346-DMG-AJW, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Final Hearing

9/1/2017

UPDATE: The court granted the Quorn Foods class action settlement final approval on September 11, 2017.  Let Top Class Actions know when you receive a check in the comments section below or on our  Facebook page.

UPDATE 2: On Nov. 13, 2017, Top Class Actions viewers started receiving checks in the mail from a Quorn Foods false advertising class action settlement. Congratulations to everyone who filed a valid claim and got PAID!

Settlement Website

www.QuornFoodsSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Quorn Foods Class Action Settlement
c/o Atticus Administration
PO Box 582959
Minneapolis, MN 55458
1-800-399-9796
info@QuornFoodsSettlement.com

Class Counsel

Eric F. Yuhl
YUHL CARR LLP

Jason M. Frank
Scott H. Sims
FRANK SIMS STOLPER LLP

Defense Counsel

Eric Y. Kizirian
LEWIS BRISBOIS BISGAARD & SMITH LLP