Overcharged For Beef Lawsuit, Your Grocery Bill Just Got You $87.5 Million, The Beef Lawsuit Settlement Payout Everyone’s Talking About
Tyson Foods and Cargill agreed to pay $87.5 million to settle allegations they conspired with other beef processors to inflate prices between 2014 and 2019. If you bought beef during that time, you have until June 30, 2026, to file a claim.
What Is Overcharged for Beef Lawsuit?
The antitrust lawsuit alleges major beef processors entered into a market allocation agreement and stopped competing for market share, increasing prices consumers paid.
Defendants named in the case include JBS USA Food Company, Swift Beef Company, JBS Packerland Inc., Cargill Inc., National Beef Packing Company, Tyson Foods Inc., and Tyson Fresh Meats Inc. The case is In re: Cattle and Beef Antitrust Litigation, Case No. 0:22-md-03031, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota.
Tyson will contribute $55 million and Cargill $32.5 million. The other defendants haven’t settled and litigation continues against them.
Both companies deny wrongdoing. They agreed to settle to avoid litigation costs and uncertainty.
Who Can Claim Money from This Settlement?
You’re eligible if you meet all these criteria:
Type of Beef Purchased:
- Fresh or frozen beef from chuck, loin, rib, or round primal cuts
- Purchased for personal consumption (yourself, family, or friends)
- Bought at grocery stores or supermarkets, not directly from processors
Time Period:
- Between August 1, 2014, and December 31, 2019
Eligible States: Arizona, California, District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia, and Wisconsin
What Beef Products Are NOT Covered?
The settlement excludes premium, specialty, and processed beef:
Premium:
- USDA Prime, organic, 100% grass-fed, Wagyu, American-style Kobe beef
Specialty:
- No Antibiotics Ever, antibiotic-free, kosher, halal, certified humane
Processed:
- Ground, marinated, seasoned, flavored, breaded, or cooked beef
How to File Your Claim
Claim Deadline: June 30, 2026
Where to File: Visit www.OverchargedForBeef.com to submit your claim online
By Mail: Consumer Indirect Beef Litigation
c/o Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 3605
Portland, OR 97208-3605
Phone: 1-877-283-8711
What You’ll Need: Estimate how many pounds of eligible beef you purchased monthly and your monthly spending amount. You don’t need documentation initially, but the settlement administrator may request additional information.
How Much Money Will You Get?
The payment will be pro-rata (equal share) proportional to the amount of beef you purchased. The exact amount depends on:
- Total pounds you purchased
- Your monthly spending
- How many people file claims
Payments will be distributed after the court approves the settlement and resolves appeals.
What Are Your Options?
1. File a Claim (Recommended Action):
- Submit your claim form by June 30, 2026
- You’ll receive a cash payment
- You give up your right to sue Tyson and Cargill separately
2. Opt Out:
- Submit written opt-out request by March 30, 2026
- You won’t get settlement money
- You keep the right to sue on your own
3. Object to the Settlement:
- Submit written objection by March 30, 2026
- You’ll still be bound by the settlement
- You can tell the court why you think it’s unfair
4. Do Nothing:
- You won’t receive payment
- You’ll be legally bound by the settlement
- You lose your right to sue later
Important Court Dates
Fairness Hearing: May 12, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.
The court will decide whether to officially approve the settlements. You can attend and speak if you submitted a Notice of Intention to Appear by March 30, 2026.
The Legal Claims Explained
The lawsuit centers on antitrust violations. Plaintiffs alleged major beef processors conspired to allocate markets and suppress competition, resulting in higher prices.
The legal theory: These companies controlled the majority of the U.S. beef processing market. Instead of competing on price, they allegedly agreed to limit supply and fix prices, artificially inflating what consumers paid at grocery stores.
The court hasn’t ruled that defendants did anything wrong, and all companies deny wrongdoing allegations.
What Happens to the Other Defendants?
JBS USA Food Company, Swift Beef Company, JBS Packerland Inc., and National Beef Packing Company haven’t settled. The lawsuit continues against them.
You’ll still have the opportunity to participate in future settlements or judgments obtained against other defendants.
Timeline of Events
2019: Lawsuit filed alleging beef price-fixing conspiracy
August 2014 – December 2019: Period covered by the settlement (when alleged price-fixing occurred)
October 2024: Settlement discussions intensified
December 29, 2025: Court-approved notice issued
March 30, 2026: Deadline to opt out or object
May 12, 2026: Final fairness hearing
June 30, 2026: Claim filing deadline
After court approval: Settlement payments distributed
What This Means for Consumers
This settlement represents one of the largest antitrust payouts in the food industry. For everyday shoppers who bought beef during the five-year period, it’s an opportunity to recover money from allegedly inflated prices.
The settlement doesn’t require receipts initially, recognizing that most people don’t save grocery receipts for years. Your estimate of purchases is sufficient to file a claim.
Similar Cases in the Food Industry
This isn’t the first price-fixing lawsuit in the meat industry. Combined settlements across beef and pork price-fixing cases now exceed $250 million.
Smithfield Foods reached a $75 million agreement in late 2022 in pork price-fixing litigation. JBS agreed to an $83.5 million settlement resolving claims from ranchers who alleged cattle prices were suppressed.
These cases follow similar patterns: allegations of market allocation, supply restriction, and price coordination among major meat processors who control significant market share.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need receipts to file a claim?
No. You don’t need documentation initially, though the settlement administrator may request additional information later.
Can I claim purchases from multiple states?
Yes. Consumers who made qualifying purchases in more than one eligible state can include all purchases in their claim.
What if my address changes after I file?
If you change your mailing or email address after submitting a claim form, it’s your responsibility to inform the settlement administrator.
Are businesses eligible?
Yes, if you’re a person or entity who purchased qualifying beef for personal consumption (not for resale or distribution).
When will I receive my payment?
The settlement administrator will distribute payments after the court approves the settlement and resolves any appeals. This typically happens several months after the final approval hearing.
What happens if I bought organic or grass-fed beef?
Those products are excluded from this settlement. Only conventional beef from chuck, loin, rib, or round cuts qualifies.
Can I still sue the companies that haven’t settled?
Yes, you’ll still have the opportunity to participate in any future settlements or judgments against other defendants.
How do I prove how much beef I bought?
You’ll estimate your monthly purchases and spending. Base this on your typical grocery shopping habits during 2014-2019. Be reasonable and honest—the settlement administrator may follow up.
What if I object to the settlement amount?
You can file a written objection by March 30, 2026, explaining why you think the settlement is unfair. You’ll still be bound by the settlement if the court approves it.
Will filing a claim affect future settlements?
No. Filing a claim for the Tyson and Cargill settlement doesn’t prevent you from participating in settlements with JBS, National Beef, or other defendants if they settle later.
Key Takeaways
- $87.5 million settlement fund available to consumers who bought beef between August 1, 2014, and December 31, 2019
- Claim deadline is June 30, 2026
- File at www.OverchargedForBeef.com
- No receipts required initially
- Payment amount depends on your purchases and total claims filed
- Settlements only resolve claims against Tyson and Cargill; litigation continues against JBS and National Beef
Next Steps
If you bought beef at grocery stores between 2014 and 2019 in any of the 26 eligible states, don’t miss this opportunity. Visit www.OverchargedForBeef.com to file your claim before the June 30, 2026 deadline.
The process takes just a few minutes. You’ll estimate your beef purchases and spending, provide contact information, and submit the form. The settlement administrator handles the rest.
Remember: doing nothing means you forfeit both the payment and your right to sue later. Take action before the deadline.
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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