Vital Farms Eggs Lawsuit 2026, Case Dismissed, No Settlement—But January Social Media Scandal Sparks New Greenwashing Claims Over Linoleic Acid In “Pasture-Raised” Eggs

The case is over and we got the win we’ve been fighting for. The plaintiffs agreed to drop their claims and we didn’t pay a dime, Vital Farms announced in January 2025. The PETA-backed class action filed in 2021 was fully dismissed with no settlement. But three weeks into 2026, Vital Farms faces a different crisis: Nourish Food Club collaborated with Michigan State University to analyze various eggs, which found linoleic acid made up 22.5% of the “organic pasture-raised” Vital Farms eggs, higher than a tablespoon of canola oil.

While no new lawsuit has been filed as of February 2026, the viral scandal has consumers questioning whether Vital Farms’ premium prices match its ethical promises.

What Was The Original Vital Farms Lawsuit About?

The Vital Farms lawsuit officially began in May 2021, when a class-action lawsuit, supported by the PETA Foundation, was filed against the company. The lawsuit alleged Vital Farms misled consumers through deceptive marketing about “humane” and “ethical” egg production practices.

Specifically, both lawsuits challenged the claim that hens had outdoor access and these companies’ use of industry-standard practices—including chick killing, beak cutting, and sale for slaughter.

The court initially allowed the case to proceed in March 2022, finding that Vital Farms’ third-party “Certified Humane” certification wasn’t enough to dismiss consumer fraud claims.

How Did The Lawsuit End?

By May 2023, PETA had withdrawn from the case, and in early 2025, the class-action claims were dismissed entirely. The court ruled in favor of Vital Farms, stating there was insufficient evidence to prove deliberate consumer deception.

Not only did Vital Farms win, but in December 2023, Vital Farms and the subpoenaed entities agreed that it would pay $292,000 to settle claims relating to the court’s award of sanctions after the court sanctioned Vital Farms for overly aggressive discovery tactics against PETA.

That $292,000 payment has been widely misreported as a “settlement” to consumers. It wasn’t. It was a sanction payment to PETA for legal abuse.

The January 2026 Social Media Scandal: No Lawsuit, But Big Questions

It all started when Instagram user @zephzoid broke the story in his self-titled “exposé” video, revealing that a study found some controversial findings about Vital Farms eggs. The viral posts claim:

High Linoleic Acid: Two Vital Farms eggs contain the same amount of linoleic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid) as one tablespoon of canola oil—about 22.5% linoleic acid content.

Corn and Soy Feed: According to health rating app Oasis Health, Vital Farms altered its feed from “pasture forage to a soy blend,” and “all their 575 family farms now rely on this supplemental soy feed”.

Artificial Yolk Coloring: In addition to their own foraging, the hens are fed a “supplemental feed,” which primarily includes “corn and soybean meal, which the hens need for protein, as well as additional natural ingredients, including paprika and marigold” to darken yolks.

Critically, technically speaking, Vital Farms hasn’t lied. They’ve openly stated on their website that chickens receive corn and soy feed. The issue is consumer expectations.

Is This Greenwashing Or Legal Marketing?

Similar to the Red Bull ‘Gives You Wings’ Lawsuit, Settlement Reaches $13 Million Amid False Advertising Claims, the question is whether “pasture-raised” creates false impressions despite being technically true.

Certified humane, pasture-raised hens simply need to have a green space that is available to them, but it doesn’t mean that they spend the bulk of their time on it or that they can easily use it.

The term “pasture-raised” is not regulated by USDA, unlike “organic” or “cage-free.”

Why The $292,000 PETA Payment Isn’t A Consumer Settlement

Many social media posts falsely claim Vital Farms paid a settlement. This legal conflict resulted in a surprising twist: PETA was sanctioned by the court and eventually ordered to pay over $290,000 to Vital Farms in 2023—wait, no.

Actually, Vital Farms paid $292,000 to PETA, but this was court-ordered sanctions for discovery abuse, not a settlement of consumer claims. The class action was dismissed with zero payout to consumers.

What Should Consumers Do Now?

There is no settlement claim form. There is no deadline. There is no class action. The lawsuit ended in January 2025 with Vital Farms prevailing.

However, if you feel misled by “pasture-raised” marketing, you have options: Look for eggs labeled “soy-free” and “corn-free” if linoleic acid concerns you—though these are specialty items not widely available. Visit local farms where you can ask about feed directly.

Report concerns to the FTC if you believe marketing practices are deceptive.

FAQs

Is there a Vital Farms lawsuit settlement I can claim?

No. The class action was dismissed in January 2025 with no settlement and no consumer payments. Vital Farms won the case.

What about the $292,000 settlement?

That wasn’t a consumer settlement. In December 2023, Vital Farms paid $292,000 to PETA as court-ordered sanctions for discovery abuse—not to compensate consumers.

What’s the January 2026 scandal about?

A viral social media controversy (not a lawsuit) claims Vital Farms eggs contain high linoleic acid due to corn/soy feed and artificially darkened yolks, despite “pasture-raised” marketing.

Did Vital Farms lie about their feed?

No. Vital Farms openly states on its website that hens receive supplemental corn and soy feed. The issue is whether consumers understand “pasture-raised” doesn’t mean grain-free.

Can I file a new lawsuit over this?

Potentially, but the 2025 court ruling makes it difficult. The court found Vital Farms’ marketing not deceptive because they have “Certified Humane” certification and disclose feed on their website.

What does “pasture-raised” actually mean?

It means hens have access to at least 108 square feet of outdoor space each. It doesn’t regulate feed composition or guarantee hens spend most time outdoors.

Should I stop buying Vital Farms eggs?

That’s a personal choice. If soy/corn-free feed matters to you, seek specialty eggs from local farms. Vital Farms remains Certified Humane and provides more space than conventional eggs.

Last Updated: February 14, 2026

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about concluded litigation and current consumer controversies. It is not legal advice.

What To Do: If you believe food marketing claims are deceptive, report concerns to the FTC and research feed disclosures before purchasing premium-priced products.

Stay informed, stay protected. — AllAboutLawyer.com

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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