Tuna End Purchaser Case
In re Packaged Seafood Products Antitrust Litigation
Case No. 15-MD-2670 DMS (MSB)

Welcome to the Tuna End Purchaser Case Website

IF YOU BOUGHT CANNED OR POUCHED TUNA BETWEEN JUNE 1, 2011 AND JULY 1, 2015, YOU MAY QUALIFY TO GET CASH FROM CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENTS TOTALING $152.2 MILLION.

NOTE: This website provides information for end purchasers of Canned or Pouched Tuna Products. If you are a direct purchaser who bought Packaged Tuna between June 1, 2011 and July 31, 2015, please visit www.TunaDirectPurchaserCase.com.

What is this lawsuit about?

End Payer Plaintiffs allege that from June 2011 to July 2015 Defendants participated in an unlawful conspiracy to raise, fix, maintain, or stabilize the price of Packaged Tuna products at an artificially high level in violation of antitrust and unfair competition laws. In July 2019, the Court certified a class of End Payer Plaintiffs and selected Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP to act as Class Counsel (the “Class Order”).

Defendants appealed the Class Order. On April 8, 2022, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the District Court’s Class Order. On August 8, 2022, the Defendants petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review the Ninth Circuit’s April 8, 2022 judgement. On November 14, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court denied the petition and declined the opportunity to review the Class Order.

The EPPs have now reached proposed Settlements with StarKist, DWI, and the Lion Companies. StarKist, DWI and the Lion Companies deny many of the allegations and have asserted defenses to the EPPs’ claims. They agreed to the proposed Settlements to avoid further litigation, the risks of an adverse jury verdict, substantial trial, costs, and inconvenience to the EPPs, StarKist and Lion. If approved, the StarKist and Lion Settlements will release StarKist and Lion from the claims in this case.

If you already filed a claim in the COSI Settlement, you do not need to file another claim for payment. If you did not file a claim in the COSI Settlement, and you do not submit a valid Claim Form by the initial claims deadline of December 31, 2024, you will not receive a payment, but you will be bound by the Court’s judgment in this case.

The Court, the Defendants, and individuals who previously opted out of the COSI Settlement Class or certified Class also are excluded from the StarKist and Lion Settlement Class.

For more information regarding the pending class action litigation or the COSI Settlement, please visit the FAQ page for answers to many common questions.

Am I a member of the Class?

The StarKist and Lion Settlement Class includes all persons and entities who resided in Arizona, Arkansas, California, the District of Columbia, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, who indirectly purchased Packaged Tuna in cans or pouches smaller than forty ounces for end consumption and not for resale, produced by any Defendant or any current or former subsidiary or affiliate thereof, or any co-conspirator during the period from June 1, 2011 to July 1, 2015 (the “Class Period”).

The StarKist and Lion Settlement Class excludes purchases of meal kits. The Court, the Defendants, and individuals who previously opted out of the COSI Settlement Class or certified Class also are excluded from the StarKist and Lion Settlement Class.

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

YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS AND OPTIONS IN THE PENDING CLASS ACTION LITIGATION

The deadlines may be moved, canceled, or otherwise modified and important documents in support of the proposed settlements will be available before the objection deadline. So, please check this website regularly for updates and further details.

Option/Deadline Event
FILE A CLAIM

Submitted online or postmarked by the initial claims date of December 31, 2024
File a claim for payment in the Total Settlement online or by mail.

If you already filed a claim in the COSI Settlement, you do not need to file another claim for payment.

Be bound by the Total Settlement.

Give up your right to sue or continue to sue StarKist and Lion for the claims in this case.
NO ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITY TO BE   EXCLUDED (“OPT OUT”)  If you previously asked to be excluded from the COSI Settlement or certified Class and your exclusion was approved by the Court, then you are not a member of the Settlement Class and are also excluded from the StarKist and Lion Settlements.
OBJECT

Postmarked by
November 8, 2024 - Passed
Tell the Court what you do not like about the StarKist and Lion Settlements―You will still be bound by the StarKist and Lion Settlements and you may still file a claim.
ATTEND THE HEARING

November 22, 2024
at 1:30 p.m.
Ask to speak in Court about the StarKist and Lion Settlements―If you want your attorney to represent you, you must pay for that attorney.

File your Notice of Intent to Appear by November 8, 2024 - Passed
DO NOTHING Unless you previously filed a valid claim in the COSI Settlement, you will not receive money.

Give up your right to sue or continue to sue StarKist and Lion for the claims in this case.

For More Information

Visit this website often to get the most up-to-date information.

Mail
Tuna End Purchaser Settlement
c/o JND Legal Administration
PO Box 91442
Seattle, WA 98111