Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.

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

We tell you about cash you can claim EVERY WEEK! Sign up for our free newsletter.

503 thoughts onMcCormick Black Pepper Slack-Fill Class Action Settlement

  1. Tom says:

    Late update. Payment received via Paypal May 26, 2022 for $10.77 Claimed 2 items.

  2. Kari says:

    Received $5.02 in paypal in IL. today. Thank you TCA :)

  3. Sue Webb says:

    nothing yet

    1. Sue Webb says:

      oops, duplicate comment lol

    2. JD B says:

      I haven’t received anything yet either

  4. Sue Webb says:

    nothing yet, don’t remember if I did check or payPal

  5. Sandra Flores says:

    I filed a claim but I didn’t get a check nor PayPal. I don’t remember choosing how to receive payment.

    1. JB says:

      I haven’t received anything either.

  6. Johnny C. says:

    Date: September 15, 2021

    Amount: $8.30

    I finally received my settlement disbursement via PayPal for the Black Pepper Products settlement.

1 42 43 44

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. By submitting your comment and contact information, you agree to receive marketing emails from Top Class Actions regarding this and/or similar lawsuits or settlements, and/or to be contacted by an attorney or law firm to discuss the details of your potential case at no charge to you if you qualify. Required fields are marked *

Please note: Top Class Actions is not a settlement administrator or law firm. Top Class Actions is a legal news source that reports on class action lawsuits, class action settlements, drug injury lawsuits and product liability lawsuits. Top Class Actions does not process claims and we cannot advise you on the status of any class action settlement claim. You must contact the settlement administrator or your attorney for any updates regarding your claim status, claim form or questions about when payments are expected to be mailed out.