Broiler chicken, canned tuna price-fixing $40.6M settlement

The Washington attorney general’s office sent $40.6 million in refunds to consumers as part of a multimillion-dollar chicken and canned tuna price-fixing class action lawsuit settlement.

The settlement benefits Washington residents whose household income is at or below 175% of the federal poverty level.

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s office filed lawsuits against more than 20 companies that allegedly conspired together to raise and fix the price of chicken and canned tuna products. According to the lawsuits, these unlawful agreements violated state and federal laws which encourage healthy market competition. 

The lawsuits targeted large chicken and tuna manufacturers including StarKist, Tyson, Perdue, Pilgrim’s Pride, Sanderson Farms and more.

Ferguson’s office collected $10.5 million through a settlement with Tyson, $35.5 million through settlements with 15 other broiler chicken producers, $4.1 million through a tuna settlement with Chicken of the Sea and additional funds through resolutions and sanctions against other tuna defendants. 

In December 2023, the Ferguson’s office sent out $40.6 million in settlement payments to 1.2 million Washingtonians. This initial round of chicken and canned tuna settlement refunds went to Washingtonians whose household income is 175% of the federal poverty level or lower. According to a press release, single-person households received a $50 check while multi-person households received a $120 check.

There is no exclusion or objection deadline for the Washington tuna and chicken lawsuit settlement.

The settlement was announced April 5, 2023.

Consumers who need their initial chicken and canned tuna settlement refund checks reissued can submit a reissue request through May 1, 2024.

Consumers who believe they were eligible for these payments but did not receive any checks can submit a valid claim form by June 5, 2024.

Who’s Eligible

Washington residents whose household income is at or below 175% of the federal poverty level

Potential Award

$120

Proof of Purchase

Household information (people in household) and income information (total household income)

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

06/05/2024

Case Name

N/A

Final Hearing

04/05/2023

Settlement Website

RefundCheck.ATG.Wa.gov

Claims Administrator

Chicken and Tuna Price Fixing Settlements
Distribution Administrator
P.O. Box 91485
Seattle, WA 98111
refundcheck@atg.wa.gov
866-601-1516

Class Counsel

N/A

Defense Counsel

N/A