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.

UPDATE: On March 13, 2023, the United States District Court for the Southern District of California (the “Court”) certified a class in an ongoing litigation between Direct Purchaser Plaintiffs (referred to as the “DPPs”) and StarKist Co. (“StarKist”), Dongwon Industries Co. Ltd. (“DWI”), Lion Capital LLP (“Lion Capital”), Big Catch Cayman LP (“Big Catch”), and Lion Capital (Americas), Inc. (“Lion (Americas)”), (collectively, “Non-Settling Defendants”). A copy of the Order is available here. The deadline to opt out of the Litigation Class is June 12, 2023.

REGISTER: If you or your company have been identified as a Litigation or Settlement Class Member, register for updates here.

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 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., Lion Capital LLP, Big Catch Cayman LP, 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.

SETTLEMENT CLASS: A settlement was reached with Chicken of the Sea and Thai Union (“Settling Defendants”). This settlement is referred to as the COSI Settlement. The claims deadline for the COSI Settlement has passed, and payments to Individual Settlement Class Members will be distributed in the future after the ongoing litigation with non-Settling Defendants is resolved.

LITIGATION CLASS: The lawsuit against StarKist Co., Dongwon Industries Co. Ltd., Lion Capital LLP, Big Catch Cayman LP and Lion Capital (Americas), Inc. (“Non-Settling Defendants”) is ongoing. Bumble Bee Foods LLC declared bankruptcy. The Court has indicated that it intends to set dates for the trial in the near future. If the Direct Purchaser Plaintiffs can prove their claims at trial, then the Court will treble any damages awarded by the jury and award attorneys’ fees and costs in an amount determined by the Court. If the Direct Purchaser Plaintiffs prevail, then they may also seek a discretionary amount of pre-judgment interest.

For more information regarding the Settlement Class or Litigation Class, please visit the FAQ page for answers to many common questions.

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