Shoppers to get one-time payments from $3.875 million food settlement – but the deadline is fast approaching

CONSUMERS who purchased products from popular canned tuna companies may qualify for a payment from a multi-million dollar settlement.

The payments stem from a class action lawsuit against StarKist and Lion Capital.

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Getty

StarKist makes canned tuna, and Lion Capital is a private equity company that previously owned Bumble Bee canned tuna.

The plaintiffs accused the two companies of conspiring with manufacturers to raise and fix the price of packaged tuna products that were 40 ounces or more.

As a result, shoppers were overcharged for these “food service-size” packages, reports Top Class Actions .

StarKist and Lion Capital denied wrongdoing but agreed to settle for $3.875 million.

StarKist will pay the bulk of the settlement, $3.6 million, while Lion Capital is only responsible for $275,000.

CLAIMING THE CASH

Shoppers must meet three criteria to claim a payment.

Customers must have bought food service-size packaged tuna products from Costco , DOT Foods, Sam’s Club , Sysco, US Foods, or Walmart .

The purchase must have been made between June 1, 2011, and December 31, 2016.

No proof of purchase is required, but eligible consumers should have received a postcard in the mail.

The cards show all of the qualifying purchases, which determine payment.

Payments will vary pro-rata depending on the number of claimants and their qualifying purchases.

Because of the varying awards, there is no estimated payout.

The deadline to file a claim is August 30.

SNACK TIME

Fans of Clif Bars may qualify for a payment from a $12 million settlement .

Consumers filed a class action lawsuit that alleged labeling issues with its products.

What's a class-action settlement?

Class action lawsuits offer groups of people, or 'classes,' a way to band together in court.

These suits are often brought by one or a few people who allege a company or other entity has wronged a large group of people.

When a suit becomes a class action, it extends to all “class members,” or people who may have similar complaints to those who filed the suit.

Companies often settle class actions – offering payment to class members who typically waive their right to pursue further legal action by accepting money.

These payout agreements frequently include statements by the defendant denying wrongdoing. Companies tend to settle class actions to avoid the costs of further litigation.

Pollution, discrimination, or false advertising are a few examples of what can land a class action on a company’s doorstep.

The plaintiffs claimed that the labels of Clif Bars and Clif Kid ZBars misleadingly suggested they were healthy.

The lawsuit argued that the added sugar content made the protein bars unhealthy.

Clif Bar disagreed with these claims but agreed to pay $12 million to resolve the lawsuit.

However, the court has not yet determined who is correct. A hearing is scheduled for November 14 to decide whether to approve the settlement.

A popular toy maker must hand out $2,500 payments to Americans from a $2 million settlement .

See if you qualify for the $21 million Bank of America settlement .