Wesson Oil $3 Million Settlement: No Proof Needed to Get Paid

More than a decade ago, customers got upset when they said Wesson cooking oil products erroneously claimed to be “natural” — while containing GMOs. The customers filed a class action lawsuit, and after a long legal slog, there’s been a Wesson oil settlement.

Now, it might be tricky to remember whether or not you purchased Wesson oil products way back in the late ’00s, but don’t worry. We’ll tell you what you need (and what you don’t) to be part of ConAgra’s $3 million settlement.

There’s a time limit on filing for this settlement — like all of them — so you’ll want to pay attention and dig deep into your memory banks. Here’s what you need to know:

 

Wesson oil’s parent company was sued over the product’s label as a “natural” product.

Way back in 2011, a group of Wesson cooking oil customers banded together to file their first complaint against parent company ConAgra Foods. The reason? The customers say ConAgra misled them with Wesson’s product labeling, which advertised the products as “natural” while containing genetically modified ingredients (GMOs).

It’s been a long decade of appeals and filings and legal jujitsu, but now ConAgra has settled the class action lawsuit while admitting no wrongdoing. As of 2022, the products don’t carry the “natural” messaging anymore.

Related: Keurig lawsuit over ‘recyclable’ K-Cups reaches $10 million settlement.

 

Customers in 11 states are eligible for a Wesson oil settlement.

Generally speaking, if you bought Wesson Vegetable Oil, Wesson Canola Oil, Wesson Corn Oil, and/or Wesson Best Blend between 2010 and 2017, you’ll want to pay attention to this settlement.

There are only 11 states as part of this settlement, and each state has their own date range for your qualifying Wesson oil purchase. Here are the states and their date ranges:

• California: June 28, 2007, through July 1, 2017
• Colorado: Jan. 12, 2009, through July 1, 2017
• Florida: Jan. 12, 2008, through July 1, 2017
• Illinois: Jan. 12, 2007, through July 1, 2017
• Indiana: Jan. 12, 2006, through July 1, 2017
• Nebraska: Jan. 12, 2008, through July 1, 2017
• New York: Jan. 12, 2008, through July 1, 2017
• Ohio: Jan. 12, 2010, through July 1, 2017
• Oregon: Jan. 12, 2006, through July 1, 2017
• South Dakota: Jan. 12, 2006, through July 1, 2017
• Texas: Jan. 12, 2010, through July 1, 2017

 

 

The Wesson oil settlement is $3 million, split between class members who file a claim.

Compared to lots of other class action settlements we’re seeing, this smaller number means payouts aren’t going to be substantial. Indeed, the Wesson oil settlement promises $0.15 per unit of Wesson.

At 15 cents a pop, ConAgra estimates 200 million units will be claimed to hit that $3 million settlement payout. But if more than 200 million bottles of Wesson are claimed, the price per unit will drop, the official settlement website says.

 

File a claim by May 22, 2023 to receive money in mid-2023.

To qualify for the settlement, you have to submit a settlement claim by May 22, 2023. The claims form, as well as lots of information about the Wesson oil settlement, is available at www.WessonOilSettlement.com.

When you fill out the claim, you’ll include:

• Name
• Address
• Email
• Phone number
• The state where you purchased Wesson
• Your previous address (if you moved since the purchase date range)
• The number of units you purchased during the “class period”
• The exact city where your purchases were made (if in New York or Oregon)

Once the settlement gets final approval in spring 2023, it’ll be about six weeks until cash payments go out (via check) to the addresses provided.

Note: The Wesson oil settlement doesn’t require proof of purchase, but be honest … falsifying a settlement claim is illegal. Plus, is it worth it for like $1.50?