MINNEAPOLIS (LN) — U.S. District Judge J. Paul Riley granted preliminary approval Thursday of a class action settlement between Direct Purchaser Plaintiffs and Tyson Foods, certifying a settlement class of beef buyers and setting a November 2026 deadline for claims.
Judge Riley, presiding over the multidistrict litigation In Re: Cattle and Beef Antitrust Litigation, signed the order on May 14, concluding that the settlement arrived at through arm’s-length negotiations falls within the range of possible approval.
The settlement resolves all claims by Direct Purchaser Plaintiffs against Tyson Foods, Inc. and Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc. The parties reached a settlement in principle in December 2025 and signed a term sheet on December 29, 2025.
The court certified a Settlement Class defined as all persons and entities who directly purchased beef for use or delivery in the United States, whether fresh or frozen, made from chuck, loin, rib, or round primals from Tyson or its affiliates between January 1, 2015, and February 29, 2020.
The definition of beef for the settlement includes boxed beef and case-ready beef made from fed cattle in the United States. It excludes organic, grass-fed, kosher, halal, certified human, Wagyu, and American-Style Kobe Beef, as well as products that are cooked, marinated, seasoned, flavored, or breaded.
The court appointed Co-Lead Counsel for the Settlement Class, including Hausfeld LLP, Gustafson Gluek PLLC, Hartley LLP, and Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy LLP. A.B. Data was appointed as the settlement notice administrator and administrator of the settlement funds.
The court found the proposed plan of allocation fair, reasonable, and adequate, directing that funds be allocated on a pro rata basis taking into account the amount of class products purchased by a Class Member and the number of claims submitted.
Settlement Class members must submit a timely, valid claim through the settlement website or by mail to be eligible for payment. The claims deadline is set for November 30, 2026.
Members who already filed a valid claim settlement with JBS Defendants, including JBS S.A. and JBS USA Food Company, are not required to submit a new claim.
The court ordered individual notice via mail and email to all identifiable class members, supported by reasonable publication notice to reach potential members who could not be individually identified.
A Final Approval Hearing will be held after class notice has been disseminated to determine whether the settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate.
Class members who wish to exclude themselves from the settlement must submit a written request to the Settlement Administrator containing their name, the name of the business which purchased beef, their address, a statement of exclusion, and their signature.