$6.5M settlement reached in Silk and Great Value plant-based beverage class action

he settlement was approved by the Court. Those included in the class action lawsuit consist of all individuals in the United States who, from August 1, 2020, to June 30, 2024, purchased Silk, Great Value, or any other plant-based beverages produced and sold by the same manufacturers.

This settlement stemmed from allegations that the Silk and Great Value plant-based beverages were falsely labeled as having vanilla flavor, which could mislead customers. There were claims that the labeling misled customers to believe the beverages contained real vanilla while they were actually flavored with synthetic ingredients. The settlement allows customers to file for a cash payment of up to $1.90 per product purchased, without a proof of purchase requirement, up to a maximum of 10 products per customer.

The total allocated settlement fund of $6.5 million includes an amount for settlement administration, attorneys’ fees and costs, service awards for the class representatives, and payment to the settlement class members. The settlement also requires changes by the manufacturers of Silk and Great Value plant-based beverages in the labeling of their products to accurately describe the source of the vanilla flavoring in their beverages going forward.

If you believe you are included in the settlement class as outlined above and did not exclude yourself, you may be eligible to make a claim for a cash payment. The deadline for submitting a claim form is August 15, 2026.

The court-ordered notice, settlement agreement, and additional information about the settlement, including how to claim a payment or exclude yourself from the settlement, can be found on the settlement website. The settlement website also provides instructions on how to submit a claim form online or by mail and includes answers to frequently asked questions about the settlement.

The settlement is a positive step toward ensuring that consumers are not misled by product labeling and are getting what they pay for when purchasing plant-based beverages. This settlement sends a strong message to companies about the importance of accurately labeling their products and providing consumers with clear and truthful information about the contents of the products they are purchasing.

The settlement also serves as a reminder to consumers to carefully read product labels and be aware of any misleading or deceptive claims made by manufacturers. By being informed and vigilant consumers, we can hold companies accountable for their product labeling practices and ensure that we are making informed choices about the products we purchase.