Canadians could cash in on $7.9-million beef price-fixing settlement
Canadians who have bought beef products from the grocery store could claim part of a massive proposed settlement.
On Thursday, law firms CFM Lawyers, Strosberg Wingfield Sasso, and Belleau Lapointe announced that proposed settlements have been reached with JBS USA Company, Swift Beef Company, JBS Packerland Inc., JBS Canada ULC, and National Beef Packing Company in class actions.
“These class actions allege price fixing and related conduct in respect of the sale of beef in Canada,” reads a statement from the law firms.
In this case, “beef” means the raw portion of cattle carcasses intended for human consumption, not purchased from the food service industry (i.e. restaurants).
“Beef products” means items not purchased from the food service industry that contain beef as one ingredient among others, except where all non-beef ingredients have been introduced through the process of mechanical blade/needle tenderizing, brine injection, massaging, aging, chemical/enzyme tenderizing, vacuum tumbling, marination and/or seasoning.
“The class actions ask the courts to order the defendants to return any extra money that they have received due to this alleged conspiracy,” reads the class action site.
How much is the proposed beef price-fixing settlement?
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According to the law firms, JBS has agreed to pay $7,498,700 to the class members, and National Beef has agreed to pay $495,000. That’s $7,993,700 altogether.
Both companies have also agreed to cooperate with plaintiffs who are pursuing their claims against non-settling defendants. There are still ongoing class actions against certain Cargill and Tyson defendants.
“The settlements are not an admission by JBS or National Beef of liability, fault, or wrongdoing, but are compromises of disputed claims,” noted the law firms.
The class action is ongoing, so there are no details on how much each class member could receive. The settlements also need to be approved by the courts before they become effective.
Who is eligible?
The B.C. settlement class includes anyone in Canada, other than members of the Quebec settlement class, who bought beef for resale or personal use between Jan.1, 2015, and the date the class action is certified for settlement approval.
The Quebec settlement class includes anyone who bought beef in Quebec between Jan. 1, 2015, and the date the class action is certified for settlement approval.
The law firms note that the class action excludes products purchased from the food service industry.
Canadians who could be eligible for the settlement don’t have to do anything at this time. However, if you want to opt out, you must do so by Aug. 10, 2026. You’ll need to send a signed written election to the class council by pre-paid mail, courier, fax, or e-mail before the deadline.
For more details on how to opt out and to stay up to date with the class action, check out its website.