A&W Concentrate Co. and Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. agreed to a $15 million settlement to resolve a class action lawsuit alleging they falsely advertised certain soda products. The plaintiffs claimed the companies misled consumers by labeling A&W Root Beer and Cream Soda as "Made With Aged Vanilla" when the products actually used ethyl vanillin, a synthetic flavoring. The defendants denied any deceptive intent but settled to resolve the legal dispute.
Eligibility and Product Details
The class included all U.S. residents who purchased qualifying A&W products for personal use during a seven-year period.
- Eligible Products: Regular, Diet, Zero Sugar, and "Ten" versions of A&W Root Beer and Cream Soda that featured the "Made With Aged Vanilla" statement on the label.
- Timeframe: Purchases must have occurred between February 7, 2016, and June 2, 2023.
- Residency: Only residents of the United States were eligible to participate in the settlement fund.
Award Levels and Distribution
Payments were structured into three tiers based on whether the consumer possessed documentation.
- Tier 1 (No Proof): Class members without receipts could claim up to 11 units and receive a minimum flat payment of $5.50.
- Tier 2 (With Proof): Those with documentation were eligible for $0.50 per unit purchased, with a maximum cap of $25.00.
- Household Limit: The settlement allowed only one claim per household, regardless of the number of individuals living at that address.
Case Status and Timeline
This consumer goods settlement has been fully adjudicated and funds have been distributed.
- Claim Deadline: The final date to submit a claim form was October 18, 2023.
- Final Approval: The court granted final approval of the $15 million deal on November 15, 2023.
- Payment Update: Checks and electronic payments began reaching claimants in mid-2024, and the administrator confirmed that distributions are now considered complete for all valid filers.
