You probably remember the headlines from a few years back. Something about tuna cans not being full enough or a massive conspiracy to keep prices high. Honestly, it's easy to get the different legal battles mixed up. But if you’ve been waiting on a check from the class action lawsuit StarKist has been embroiled in, there is finally some actual movement.
The story of StarKist’s legal woes isn't just one single case. It's actually a decade-long saga involving underfilled cans, executive whistleblowers, and a massive price-fixing scheme that reached the highest levels of the seafood industry.
The $152 Million Price-Fixing Mess
Most people searching for an update right now are looking for information on the In re: Packaged Seafood Products Antitrust Litigation. This is the big one. We’re talking about a consolidated lawsuit that accused StarKist, Bumble Bee, and Chicken of the Sea of essentially pinky-swearing to keep tuna prices high between 2011 and 2015.
It wasn't just a theory. The Department of Justice actually got involved, and former executives ended up facing prison time. For the average person buying a sandwich at the grocery store, it meant you were likely paying more than you should have for years.
The settlement for "End Purchasers"—basically regular people who bought tuna for their own lunch—hit a combined total of $152.2 million. StarKist itself is footing the biggest bill here, agreeing to pay $130 million of that total.
When is the Payout?
If you're wondering where your money is, you aren't alone. The claim deadline officially passed on December 31, 2024. If you didn't get your claim in by then, you're likely out of luck for this specific pot of money.
The court held a final approval hearing on November 22, 2024, and Judge Dana Sabraw gave the green light. But here is the kicker: the settlement agreement allowed StarKist to pay out that $130 million over an 18-month period.
Because the fund has to be fully loaded before the checks (or digital payments) start flying, the settlement administrator has stated that no payments will be issued before January 2026.
So, if you’re reading this in early 2026, keep a very close eye on your inbox or mailbox. We are finally in the window where the "End Purchaser" payments are expected to start rolling out.
How Much Will You Actually Get?
Don't go planning a vacation on this money. Class action lawsuits are notorious for small individual payouts because so many people are involved.
Estimates from the settlement documents suggest that the average claimant might see about $0.12 per can purchased. If you were a heavy tuna eater and claimed for roughly 200 cans over that four-year period, you might be looking at around $24.50.
It’s a bit of a letdown compared to the "free tuna" vouchers people got in the Hendricks v. StarKist case years ago, but cash is cash.
The Underfilling Scandal (The "Other" Lawsuit)
Some people get this confused with the 2016 settlement. That was Hendricks v. StarKist Co., which was specifically about the 5-ounce cans not actually having 5 ounces of tuna in them.
That case was a bit wild. Over 2.4 million people filed claims—at the time, one of the largest turnouts for a consumer class action ever. Most people chose the $50 voucher for more tuna rather than the $25 cash, which eventually got diluted down to just a couple of dollars because so many people signed up.
If you're thinking, "Hey, I already got my tuna money years ago," that was for the weight of the cans. The current 2026 payout is for the price-fixing conspiracy.
Why the Delay is So Long
It feels like this has been going on forever. And it has. The first lawsuits were filed back in 2015.
Why the wait?
- Massive Volume: Millions of claims have to be verified against purchase records or "penalty of perjury" statements.
- Legal Appeals: Even after a judge approves a deal, professional "objectors" can sometimes stall the process for months.
- Payment Schedules: As mentioned, StarKist didn't just write one check for $130 million. They are paying it in installments to avoid a total financial collapse of the company.
Actionable Steps for 2026
Since we are now in the expected payout window, here is what you should actually do:
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- Check Your Email: Search your inbox for "Tuna Settlement" or "JND Legal Administration." This is the firm handling the distribution. If you chose a digital payment like Venmo or PayPal, you’ll likely get a notification there first.
- Verify Your Address: If you’ve moved since 2024, it might be tough to redirect a physical check, but you can try contacting the administrator at info@TunaEndPurchaserSettlement.com with your claim ID.
- Don't Fall for Scams: No one from the class action lawsuit StarKist team will ever ask you to pay a fee to receive your settlement. If someone asks for your credit card to "verify" your identity for a tuna check, it’s a scam.
- Wait for the Pro-Rata Adjustment: If the check you get is for $3.42 instead of $24, don't be surprised. The "pro-rata" share means the more people who filed valid claims, the smaller everyone's individual slice of the pie becomes.
The era of the great tuna litigation is finally winding down. While it won't make anyone rich, it did force a massive shift in how these companies have to report their pricing and weight moving forward. If you were part of the class, your small check is basically a tiny receipt for a decade of corporate accountability.
For those who missed the 2024 deadline, there are no "late" entries allowed for the price-fixing fund. However, you can always keep an eye on the Packaged Seafood Antitrust website for any notices regarding residual funds if many checks go uncashed.