Walmart, Sam’s Club, and Costco have announced a program to give customers who bought StarKist and Lion Capital tuna cans during a certain time period their money back.
A court decision said that these companies had set their prices for their goods too high, which led to this effort. For your knowledge, the refund program came about because of a few main things.
Walmart, Sam’s Club, and Costco refund
- Violation of Laws: A U.S. court ruled in favor of consumers, determining that the tuna brands had violated competition laws by artificially inflating prices.
- Million-Dollar Settlement: To resolve the class action lawsuits, the involved companies agreed to pay a compensation totaling $200 million.
People who bought the tainted tuna cans during the given time frame can get their money back from Walmart, Sam’s Club, or Costco. Be sure to read the terms and conditions to make sure you can participate.
Pay attention, tuna eaters! There is a chance that you can get your money back if you bought StarKist or Lion Capital tuna cans at Walmart, Sam’s Club, or Costco between June 2011 and December 2016.
Potential Compensation
It is thought that people who are affected could get about $25 for every tuna they buy during this time.
How to Claim Your Reimbursement
- Notification by Mail: Eligible consumers will receive a notification via postal mail with detailed instructions on how to claim their reimbursement.
- Importance of Checking Your Mail: It’s crucial to keep an eye on your mailbox, as this will be the only method to receive the necessary information.
Statement from the Companies
The companies involved have not said they were at fault, but they have agreed to pay the payment. In a statement, StarKist’s CEO said that the company was committed to social responsibility and wanted to quickly settle the case.
After a review by the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice that began in 2015, it was found that both StarKist and Lion Capital had fixed prices in ways that hurt competition in the market.
Legal Proceedings and Settlements
Following the criminal case, most of the linked civil lawsuits have been settled without going to court. Most of the plaintiffs are direct consumers, and they have been negotiating on their own and with the help of Judge Dana M. Sabraw to escape the costs and delays of going to court.
Proposed Global Settlement
In June 2024, the plaintiffs and the companies involved (Walmart, Sam’s Club, or Costco), along with Dongwon Industries (owner of StarKist) and Lion Capital (former owner of Bumble Bee), put forward a plan for a world settlement. This deal is currently waiting for approval from the courts.
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