If you purchased Packaged Tuna products directly from Bumble Bee, Chicken of the Sea, StarKist, or Thai Union Group between June 1, 2011 and July 31, 2015, you could be affected by a class action settlement.

UPDATE: Pursuant to the Court’s Order Authorizing Supplemental Notice, the claim filing deadline has been extended to January 6, 2023 for eligible Class Members.  Class Members must file a timely claim to receive a payment.  If you do nothing, you will not receive a payment from the Settlement.  

NOTE: This website provides information for direct purchasers of Packaged Tuna Products. If you are an end purchaser who bought Canned or Pouched Tuna between June 1, 2011 and July 1, 2015, please visit www.TunaEndPurchaserSettlement.com.

What is this lawsuit about?

• A group of small businesses, known as the Direct Purchaser Plaintiffs, sued on behalf of a proposed Class of similarly situated direct purchasers alleging that Defendants Chicken of the Sea and Thai Union, Bumble Bee Foods LLC, StarKist Co., Dongwon Industries Co. Ltd., and Lion Capital (Americas), Inc. conspired to fix, raise, and maintain the prices for Packaged Tuna and that, as a result, members of the Class paid more than they otherwise would have.
• The Direct Purchaser Plaintiffs have reached a proposed Settlement with Chicken of the Sea and Thai Union only (“Settling Defendants”).
• The Direct Purchaser Plaintiffs will continue their lawsuit against StarKist Co., Dongwon Industries Co. Ltd., and Lion Capital (Americas), Inc. (“non-settling Defendants”). Bumble Bee Foods LLC is in bankruptcy. A trial date has not yet been scheduled.
• For more information, please visit the FAQ page for answers to many common questions.

Am I a part of the Settlement Class?

You are a Settlement Class Member if you or your company directly purchased Packaged Tuna Products (excluding tuna salad kits and cups and salvage purchases) within the United States, its territories and the District of Columbia from any Defendant at any time between June 1, 2011 and July 31, 2015. Packaged Tuna Products means shelf-stable tuna sold for human consumption and packaged in either cans or pouches. Excluded from the Settlement Class are all governmental entities; Defendants and any parent, subsidiary, or affiliate thereof; Defendants’ officers, directors, employees, and immediate families; and any federal judges or their staffs.

While the proposed Settlement is only with Chicken of the Sea and Thai Union, the Settlement Class includes persons (including businesses and companies) who purchased Packaged Tuna from any of the Defendants. If you are a Settlement Class Member and do not exclude yourself, you will be eligible to participate in any monetary distributions to qualified Settlement Class Members and you will be bound by the results of the proposed Settlement.

If you or your company have been identified as a Settlement Class Member, register for updates below.
Register for Updates

What does the proposed Settlement Provide?

If the proposed Settlement is approved, the Settling Defendants will pay a Settlement Amount calculated as 3.20% of the combined Chicken of the Sea and Thai Union sales of Packaged Tuna Products to Class Members between June 1, 2011 and July 31, 2015. When calculating the Settlement Amount, sales to individuals that opt out or exclude themselves from the Settlement Class will not be included. The Settling Defendants will also pay legal fees and costs in addition to and separate from the Settlement Amount.

Additionally, a portion of the Settlement Amount may be used by the Claims Administrator to administer notice and to administer the distribution of Settlement proceeds, as well as to pay Service Awards to the named Class Representatives for their work in the case. The Claims Administrator currently estimates its costs will be approximately $100,000.00. Class Counsel intend to ask the Court to approve Service Awards in the amount of $5,000.00 for each of the Class Representatives.

Proceeds from the Settlement to qualifying Settlement Class Members will be made in the future. Class Counsel intend to combine any distribution of the Settlement proceeds with proceeds from future settlements or other recoveries in the litigation with non-settling Defendants.

If you are a Settlement Class Member, your rights will be affected whether you act or not. Please read below to view your rights and options.