Breyers’ Vanilla Gets a Frosty $9M Legal Scoop for Mislabeling
Oct. 6th, 2024
When you think of a creamy, refreshing scoop of vanilla ice cream, you probably imagine simple ingredients—milk, cream, sugar, and of course, pure vanilla. But what if the flavor you’ve been enjoying isn’t quite what it claims to be? That’s the sticky situation Breyers, the beloved ice cream brand, found themselves in when a class action lawsuit revealed that their “natural vanilla” ice cream wasn’t as natural as customers thought.
It all started when Breyers’ parent company, Unilever, was accused of mislabeling their vanilla ice cream as “natural.” The packaging boldly claimed “natural vanilla,” but a closer look at the ingredients raised some eyebrows. The lawsuit alleged that Breyers used synthetic flavorings and vanillin (a cheaper, artificial vanilla substitute) in their vanilla ice cream formula, despite the label implying otherwise. This left customers feeling cold, as they had paid a premium for what they believed was a high-quality, all-natural product.
After the lawsuit gained traction, Breyers decided to settle for a whopping $9 million rather than continue the battle in court. This hefty payout is meant to compensate customers who bought the misrepresented vanilla ice cream flavors and serves as a reminder to companies that misleading labels won’t go unnoticed.
Now, Breyers is faced with the challenge of regaining their customers’ trust. While the $9 million settlement puts an end to the lawsuit, the company must address how they market their products moving forward. Unilever hasn’t publicly commented on whether Breyers will reformulate their vanilla flavor or change their labeling practices, but the legal proceedings have already cast a shadow on their reputation.
For consumers, this serves as a reminder to pay close attention to labels, even when it comes to their favorite comfort foods. With terms like “natural” carrying legal weight, companies are expected to adhere to strict guidelines—or face the consequences.
How to apply for a cash settlement
If you’re a Breyers ice cream fan and feel entitled to compensation, here’s how you can apply for a cash settlement. According to the settlement website, cash payments will be awarded to class members who submit valid claims by Feb. 19, 2025:
- With proof of purchase: $1 per product with no limit
- Without proof of purchase: $1 per product with a maximum of eight products
- Both with and without proof of purchase: Combined cash payment benefits
Only one claim form is allowed per household. If the total value of valid claims exceeds $8.85 million, payments will be divided equally among settlement class members.
For those looking to pursue their own legal action against Breyers, you can forfeit the settlement cash by filling out an exclusion form found here, or by sending a written request for exclusion to the claim administrator by Oct. 31, 2024.
The court will hold a fairness hearing on Nov. 21, 2024, to decide whether the settlement is reasonable. If you have objections, now is the time to make your voice heard. However, please note, as the court states: “Please do not call the Court or the Clerk of the Court for information about the Settlement.”
Instead, visit the official settlement website at VanillaIceCreamSettlement.com or call 1-888-603-5137 for more details. Claim forms are also available here.
As the dust settles (or the ice cream melts), Breyers now faces the uphill battle of rebuilding their image and proving to customers that their vanilla can be trusted once again. For the everyday ice cream enthusiast, it’s worth questioning whether “natural” is truly as simple as it sounds. If anything, this case highlights the need for greater clarity in food labeling and a deeper understanding of what we’re really buying when we reach for that favorite carton of ice cream.