Customers complained more than a decade ago that Wesson cooking oil products falsely claimed to be “natural” while containing GMOs. Customers filed a class action lawsuit, and after a long legal battle, a Wesson oil settlement was reached.
This settlement, like all of them, has a time limit, here’s what you need to know. A group of Wesson cooking oil customers joined forces in 2011 to file their first complaint against parent company ConAgra Foods. What’s the reason? Customers claim that ConAgra misled them with Wesson’s product labeling, which advertised the products as “natural” despite the fact that they contained genetically modified ingredients (GMOs).
After a decade of appeals and filings, ConAgra has finally settled the class action lawsuit while admitting no wrongdoing. As of 2022, the products no longer carry the “natural” messaging.
A Wesson oil settlement is available to customers in 11 state
In general, if you purchased Wesson Vegetable Oil, Wesson Canola Oil, Wesson Corn Oil, and/or Wesson Best Blend between 2010 and 2017, you should be aware of this settlement.
This settlement includes only 11 states, and each state has its own date range for qualifying Wesson oil purchases. Here are the states and their respective time frames:
- California: June 28, 2007, through July 1, 2017
- Colorado: Jan. 12, 2009, through July 1, 2017
- Florida: Jan. 12, 2008, through July 1, 2017
- Illinois: Jan. 12, 2007, through July 1, 2017
- Indiana: Jan. 12, 2006, through July 1, 2017
- Nebraska: Jan. 12, 2008, through July 1, 2017
- New York: Jan. 12, 2008, through July 1, 2017
- Ohio: Jan. 12, 2010, through July 1, 2017
- Oregon: Jan. 12, 2006, through July 1, 2017
- South Dakota: Jan. 12, 2006, through July 1, 2017
- Texas: Jan. 12, 2010, through July 1, 2017
Wesson Vegetable Oil, Wesson Canola Oil, Wesson Corn Oil, and Wesson Best Blend are the Wesson cooking oil products covered by the settlement, all of which were marketed and sold as “natural” during the applicable class periods.
The Wesson oil settlement is $3 million, split among class members who file claims.
This smaller number, in comparison to many other class action settlements we’ve seen, indicates that payouts will be modest. Indeed, the Wesson oil settlement promises $0.15 per unit of Wesson.
ConAgra estimates that 200 million units will be claimed at 15 cents per unit to reach the $3 million settlement payout. However, if more than 200 million bottles of Wesson are claimed, the price per unit will fall, according to the official settlement website.
To receive money in mid-2023, submit a claim by May 22, 2023.
To be eligible for the settlement, you must file a settlement claim by May 22, 2023. The claims form, as well as additional information about the Wesson oil settlement, can be found at WessonOilSettlement. When completing the claim, you will include:
- Name, Address, Email, and Phone Number
- The state where you bought Wesson
- If you have moved since the purchase date range, please provide your previous address.
- The total number of units purchased during the “class period”
- The precise location of your purchases (if in New York or Oregon)
- Once the settlement is finalized in spring 2023, it will take about six weeks for cash payments (via check) to
- be distributed to the addresses provided.
Once the settlement is finalized in spring 2023, it will take about six weeks for cash payments (via check) to be distributed to the addresses provided. Although the Wesson oil settlement does not require proof of purchase, it is illegal to falsify a settlement claim.
More Settlements Happening Now:
- See these class action settlements in here. to 5/22
