Is it Real Vanilla? Breyers $8.85 Million Class Action Settlement

Summer is over, and you’ve most likely consumed your fair share of ice cream during the hot season. If you’ve purchased any Breyers Natural Vanilla ice cream, though, you can be eligible for some compensation from the popular brand.

Is it Real Vanilla or Not? 

That’s the heart of this class action lawsuit, which alleges that Breyer’s Natural Vanilla ice cream doesn’t contain real vanilla from the vanilla plant but vanilla flavoring.  This is construed as false advertising for the consumers who purchased the product thinking the ice cream contained natural vanilla.

Real vanilla comes from the vanilla orchid plant, and 80% of the world’s vanilla is produced in Madagascar, even though it’s not native to that country. Thanks to the hot, humid climate, rich soil, and skilled farmers that hand-pollinate, Madagascar has become the top producer in creating the Bourbon vanilla type.

While vanilla flavoring is generally safe, some people may experience side effects, including skin irritation, headaches, allergies, and more.

Breyers and parent company Conopco, Inc. have denied any wrongdoing but are settling to resolve the false advertising claim.

How You Can Be a Part of the Breyer’s $8.85M Class Action Settlement

If you’ve purchased any size of Breyer’s Natural Vanilla ice cream anytime between April 21, 2016, and Aug. 14, 2024, then you’re eligible to be a class member, even if you don’t have proof of purchase.

Class members can get $1 per purchased product, but there’s a limit depending on whether you have receipts:

  • Without proof of purchase: Claim up to 8 products for a maximum payment of $8
  • With proof of purchase: Claim an unlimited number of documented purchases

Physical receipts, online orders, emails from retailers, and credit card statements are examples of proof of purchase. However, it’s unclear how you might use credit card statements since there’s no easy way to determine what was purchased at the retailer.

The generous deadline date is February 19, 2025, but you should still submit your valid claim form as soon as possible.

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