Buyers who purchased Breyers Ice Cream between 2016 and 2024 may be entitled to a portion of an $8.85 million settlement.
The ice cream brand is paying nearly $9 million following a class-action lawsuit filed against Conopco, Inc and Unilever United States, Inc.
The lawsuit alleged that Conopco and Unilever falsely advertised the ingredients of Breyers Natural Vanilla ice cream, according to the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Bronx County.
‘Plaintiffs filed this lawsuit against defendants alleging that defendants’ labeling of Breyers Natural Vanilla ice cream gave consumers the impression that the ice cream contained vanilla flavor derived solely from the vanilla plant and not from plant sources other than vanilla, and allege that it contained non-vanilla plant, vanilla flavors,’ reads a press release.
Conopco and Unilever, the advertiser and Breyers’ parent companies, accepted the deal but insisted they did nothing wrong.
Breyers paid nearly $9 million to buyers following a class action lawsuit filed against Conopco, Inc. and Unilever United States, Inc.
According to the lawsuit filed earlier this year, the ingredient list did not include plant flavors other than vanilla.
The alleged mislabeling was the result of two actions: negligent misrepresentation and unjust enrichment on behalf of a nationwide class, according to Law Inc..
The plaintiffs sought monetary damages and an injunction to stop the alleged misleading advertising.
Under the court settlement, the $8.85 million in monetary damages will go to a Settlement Fund and cash payments will go to qualified claimants.
Ice cream buyers who purchased any size of Breyers Natural Vanilla product in the US sometime between April 21, 2016 and August 14, 2024 would likely qualify.
The lawsuit claims that Conopco and Unilever falsely advertised the ingredients of Breyers Natural Vanilla ice cream.
Buyers who decide file a claim Online or by mail we can choose between two types: A claim with proof of purchase and a claim without proof of purchase.
Proof-of-purchase claims are those supported by documents proving that someone purchased a product.
Breyers buyers who qualify for a claim cash payment with proof of purchase will receive $1 for each natural vanilla ice cream product with no item limit.
Claims without proof of purchase are filed by someone who does not have documents showing that they purchased an item.
Buyers who decided to file a claim without proof of purchase in this situation can earn $1 for each product, with eight being the maximum.
However, settlement members who file a claim for products with and without proof of purchase will get those compensation amounts combined.
Consumers must submit their claim forms by February 19, and each household can only submit one.
Buyers who choose to file a claim online or by mail may or may not provide proof of purchase in their claims.
The Court will hold a hearing on November 21 to decide whether the $8.85 million settlement is fair.
Breyers must also create a new product formula that “does not include vanilla derived from plant sources other than vanilla” within a year.