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Overview of the Class Action Settlement

On May 14, 2026, the law firms Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP and Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC communicated significant developments regarding a class action lawsuit, specifically In re Broiler Chicken Antitrust Litigation, No. 116-cv-08637 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. This case has serious implications for anyone who purchased specific chicken products during the implicated period, spanning from January 1, 2012, to July 31, 2019.

What is the Class Action About?

The lawsuit alleges that major chicken processors conspired to limit supply and manipulate pricing in order to inflate costs unfairly for consumers. The central company in this settlement, Agri Stats, Inc., is accused of facilitating these practices by supplying crucial reports that enabled these processors to execute collusive actions. While Agri Stats maintains its innocence, it has opted to settle to avoid the prolonged litigation process. It is essential to recognize that previously, a total of $203.35 million in settlements was approved with all implicated processors.

Who is Eligible for Compensation?

Individuals and entities that procured specific chicken products—namely whole chickens, chicken breasts, or chicken tenderloins—during the timeframe specified are potentially eligible for compensation under this settlement. The eligible products may include:

• - Whole chickens (with or without giblets)
• - Cut-up chickens purchased in a package
• - Breasts or tenderloins

However, it is important to note that products marketed as halal, kosher, free-range, organic, diced, ground, seasoned, flavored, or breaded are excluded from this class. To qualify for compensation, purchases must have occurred in specific jurisdictions including, but not limited to:

• - California
• - Florida
• - Illinois
• - New York
• - Wisconsin

Consumers should verify their eligibility based on where they bought these products during the set period.

Steps for Affected Individuals

A detailed notice outlining the settlement and eligibility parameters is available at www.overchargedforchicken.com. The deadline for individuals to object to the settlement is set for July 13, 2026. A judicial hearing is scheduled for September 1, 2026, where the court will determine the final approval of the agreement.

Changes Implemented by Agri Stats

As part of the settlement terms, Agri Stats is required to implement comprehensive changes over the next five years. Noteworthy reforms include:

• - Ceasing to list the names of report participants on cover pages of their publications
• - Excluding competitor-level pricing and production volume data in their reports
• - Being prohibited from engaging in practices that would reveal the identities of data subscribers

These measures are aimed at enhancing transparency and preventing future incidents of market manipulation.

Contact Information

For additional information, individuals are encouraged to contact:

• - via email: [email protected]
• - phone: (877) 888-5428
• - or write to Broiler Chicken Consumer Litigation, c/o A.B. Data, Ltd., P.O. Box 173045, Milwaukee, WI 53217.

In conclusion, this settlement not only provides a path for restitution for affected consumers but also signifies a pivotal step in enforcing fair market practices in the poultry industry. With ongoing changes in place, the framework established by this settlement may lead to more ethical business practices moving forward, fostering trust between consumers and producers.