Have you purchased frozen potato products since 2021? You may have overpaid due to an alleged price-fixing agreement by frozen potato food processors. Fill out the form to find out your consumer rights »

Case Status
Active
Court
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division
Case Number
1:24-cv-11963
Defendant(S)
McCain Foods USA, Inc.
McCain Foods Limited
Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.
Lamb Weston, Inc.
Lamb Weston BSW, LLC
Lamb Weston/Midwest, Inc.
Lamb Weston Sales, Inc.
J.R. Simplot Co.
Cavendish Farms Ltd
National Potato Promotion Board, D/B/A Potatoes USA
Circana, LLC
File Date

WHAT'S THE ISSUE?

Hagens Berman has filed a class-action lawsuit on behalf of nationwide consumers against four frozen potato food processors — McCain Foods, Lamb Weston, J.R. Simplot and Cavendish Farms — for allegedly engaging in an illegal agreement for years potentially causing millions of U.S. consumers to overpay for frozen potato products, including french fries, tater tots, hashbrowns and more.

ABOUT THE ALLEGED CONSPIRACY

According to the lawsuit, the defendants “account for nearly 98% of the $68 billion annual market for Frozen Potato Products in the United States.” Evidence shows that, beginning in early 2021, the top four frozen potato processors conspired to increase the price of frozen potato products, despite a dramatic decline of input costs. The producers’ allegedly engaged in identical price hikes, including four lockstep increases in 2021 alone.

These price hikes were so closely aligned that a “restaurant owner remarked, 'Amazing how all of the major suppliers of French Fries and the like are all raising their prices at the same time and by the same amount. Totally not collusion or anything, right?’” according to the complaint.

Ultimately, the alleged actions of the defendants have allowed the brands to collectively benefit from increased margins, and given consumers little to no options for less-expensive alternatives on grocery store shelves.

YOUR CONSUMER RIGHTS

The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief under the Sherman Act and treble damages under antitrust and consumer protection laws for the allegedly fraudulent price increases. Hagens Berman believes that consumers who unknowingly paid high prices for frozen potato products deserve compensation for defendants’ alleged wrongdoing.

TOP CONSUMER RIGHTS FIRM

Hagens Berman is one of the most successful consumer litigation law firms in the U.S. and has achieved settlements valued at more than $320 billion for class members in lawsuits against major food processing corporations, automakers, big banks and others. Your claim will be handled by experts in consumer law.

NO COST TO YOU

In no case will any class member ever be asked to pay any out-of-pocket sum. In the event Hagens Berman or any other firm obtains a settlement that provides benefits to class members, the court will decide a reasonable fee to be awarded to the class' legal team.

CASE TIMELINE

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