If you bought Breyers ice cream since 2016, you may qualify for part of $8M settlement

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If you bought a particular Breyers vanilla ice cream in the last eight years, you may be eligible for part of a nearly $9 million settlement — thanks to a class-action lawsuit filed earlier this year.

The lawsuit was filed against Breyers in the Supreme Court of the State of New York in June claiming the company falsely advertised “vanilla” on its Natural Vanilla flavor ice cream, according to court documents.

The lawsuit states ConopCo Inc. and Unilever United States Inc. “misleadingly [marketed] Breyers Natural Vanilla Ice Cream to consumers as containing vanilla flavor only derived from the vanilla plant and not from non-vanilla plant sources.”

However, Breyers Natural Vanilla Ice Cream contains non-vanilla plant vanilla flavors and vanilla enhancers “that are not disclosed on the Product packaging or label.”

The lawsuit resulted in a $8.85 million settlement, which provides cash payments to eligible settlement class members.

Settlement class members include individuals who purchased Breyers Natural Vanilla Ice Cream in any size in the United States from April 21, 2016, through August 14, 2024, according to the settlement.

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The suit claims plaintiffs “would not have paid more for Breyers Natural Vanilla Ice Cream had they realized that some of its vanilla flavor came from non-vanilla sources.”

Cash payments will be awarded to class members who submit proof of purchase for a sum of $1 per product with no limit, claims without proof of purchase for a sum of $1 per product with a maximum of eight products and valid claims with or without proof of purchase for combined cash payment benefits by Feb. 19, 2025.

The company is also responsible for creating a new product formula that does not include vanilla flavors derived from non-vanilla plant sources.

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To obtain a cash payment from the settlement, complete a valid claim form online or mail a completed valid claim form to P.O Box 2813, Portland, OR 97208-2813 before Feb. 19, 2025.

Only one claim can be submitted per household.

If the number of valid claims totals more than $8.85 million, payments will be divided equally among settlement class members, according to the settlement.

The court will hold a fairness hearing on Nov. 21, to determine if the settlement is reasonable.