Shoppers who bought beef in specific years could receive money

ust class action lawsuit that alleges collusion among several beef processors to limit competition and drive up beef prices. A settlement has been reached, offering consumers in multiple states the opportunity to claim a portion of the $87.5 million fund.

According to the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, residents of 26 states, including Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, and New York, may qualify for compensation if they bought certain beef products between August 1, 2014, and December 31, 2019. The lawsuit focuses on beef made from specific primal cuts, such as chuck, loin, rib, or round. Excluded from the settlement are premium and specialty beef products like USDA Prime, organic, grass-fed, Wagyu, kosher, and halal beef, as well as processed items like ground beef or marinated cuts.

The case alleges that major beef processors, including JBS, Cargill, National Beef, and Tyson Foods, engaged in anti-competitive behavior by colluding to allocate market shares and eliminate competition. This collusion allegedly aimed to boost profit margins for the companies while increasing prices for consumers.

As part of the settlement, Tyson Foods agreed to a payment of $55 million, while Cargill agreed to a $32.5 million settlement. However, four other companies, including JBS USA Food Company and National Beef Packing Company, have not reached settlements and deny any wrongdoing.

Consumers included in the settlement class can file a claim to receive a proportionate cash payment based on the amount of eligible beef products purchased during the specified period. Claim forms must be submitted online or postmarked by June 30, 2026.

Individuals have several options with regard to the settlement. They can choose to receive a cash payment and relinquish the right to sue the companies independently, opt-out to retain the ability to pursue individual legal action, object to the settlement terms, or take no action and forgo any monetary compensation.

A hearing is scheduled for May 12, 2026, where the court will decide on final approval of the settlements and address any outstanding legal matters. Consumers can visit the official settlement website for more detailed information on their rights, the settlement class definition, and procedures for opting out or raising objections.

This settlement represents a significant development in the legal action against major beef processors accused of anti-competitive practices, providing affected consumers with the opportunity to claim restitution for potential overcharges on beef products purchased during the specified period.