In re Processed Egg Products Antitrust Litigation Website
www.eggproductssettlement.com
Overview
Important Update:
Payments relating to the Michael Foods, Midwest Poultry, NFC, UEP/USEM, Hillandale, and NuCal Settlements were issued to eligible Class Members in March 2021. If you believe you were issued a payment and have not received it at this time, please contact the Settlement Administrator in writing at: In re Processed Egg Products Antitrust Litigation, C/O Epiq, P.O. Box 9476, Dublin, OH 43017-4576.
If you purchased Shell Eggs or Egg Products produced in the United States directly from any Producer from January 1, 2000 through December 19, 2014, you could be a Class Member in a proposed class action settlement. In the lawsuit In re Processed Egg Products Antitrust Litigation, Case No. 08-md-02002, pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Plaintiffs allege that Defendants, certain Producers of Shell Eggs and Egg Products, conspired to decrease the supply of eggs. Plaintiffs allege that this supply conspiracy limited, fixed, raised, stabilized, or maintained the price of eggs, which caused direct purchasers to pay more for eggs than they would have otherwise paid. The term “eggs” refers to both Shell Eggs and Egg Products, which are eggs removed from their shells for further processing into a dried, frozen, or liquid form. This lawsuit alleges injuries to direct egg purchasers only, that is, entities or individuals who bought eggs directly from egg Producers. Plaintiffs represent both themselves (the named Plaintiffs) and the entire Class of direct egg purchasers across the United States. The Defendants deny all of Plaintiffs’ allegations.
Who is included in the Michael Foods Settlement?
The Michael Foods Settlement “Class” includes all persons and entities in the United States that purchased Shell Eggs directly from the Defendants from September 24, 2004 through December 31, 2008.
Who is included in the Hillandale and NuCal Settlements?
The Hillandale Settlement “Class” includes all persons and entities in the United States that purchased Shell Eggs and Egg Products in the United States directly from any Producer from January 1, 2000 through December 19, 2014.
The NuCal Settlement “Class” includes all persons and entities in the United States that purchased Shell Eggs and Egg Products in the United States directly from any Producer from January 1, 2000 through October 3, 2014.
Who is included in the Midwest Poultry, NFC, UEP/USEM Settlements
& Second Sparboe Amendment?
The Settlement “Classes” include all persons and entities in the United States that purchased Shell Eggs and Egg Products, in the United States directly from any Producer from January 1, 2000 through July 30, 2014. Due to the recent Settlements, the prior Sparboe Settlement is amended to add to the Sparboe Settlement Class direct purchases of Shell Eggs and Egg Products from March 1, 2014 through July 30, 2014, expanding the Class Period to make it comparable to the more recent Settlement Classes.
What do the Settlements provide?
Under the Settlements, Plaintiffs will release all claims against Midwest; NFC; UEP/USEM; NuCal; Hillandale Pa.; Hillandale-Gettysburg; Hillandale Farms East, Inc.; Hillandale Farms, Inc.; and Michael Foods, Inc. In exchange, Midwest will pay $2.5 million; NFC will pay $1 million; and UEP/USEM will pay $500,000; NuCal will pay $1,425,000; Hillandale Pa. and Hillandale-Gettysburg will collectively pay $3 million; and Michael Foods will pay $75,000,000 into a settlement fund for the benefit of the Classes. Plaintiffs also will receive documents and information that Plaintiffs’ attorneys believe will aid in their analysis and prosecution of this Action.
What does the Sparboe Settlement provide?
There is no monetary relief under the Sparboe Settlement. Sparboe agreed to provide substantial and immediate cooperation to Plaintiffs, which the Court already found conferred substantial benefits upon the Class. The second amendment merely conforms the Sparboe Class to the recent Settlement Classes.