Kowalski v. TreeHouse Private Brands

Food & Beverage False Advertising · Filed 2026-03-01 · U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas · Docket 1:26-cv-93351

What the company is alleged to have done

The complaint alleges TreeHouse Private Brands prominently labeled the affected products with marketing claims about ingredients, sourcing, or health benefits that were not supported by the actual product formulation. Plaintiffs commissioned independent laboratory testing that, the complaint alleges, showed the products did not match the on-pack claims.

The case turns on a federal court's interpretation of state consumer-protection statutes and the FDA's voluntary labeling guidance. TreeHouse Private Brands denies wrongdoing and reached the proposed settlement to avoid the cost and disruption of trial.

Who qualifies as a class member

You are likely an eligible class member if all of the following apply:

• You purchased one or more of the affected TreeHouse Private Brands products in the United States during the class period.
• You bought the products for personal, household, or family use (not for resale).
• You are willing to attest, under penalty of perjury, to your purchases (the administrator does not require receipts).

If you fit all of the criteria above, you almost certainly have a valid claim. If you only fit some of them — for example, you used the product in a different timeframe, or you don’t have proof of purchase — you may still qualify under the settlement’s “self-attestation” rules. The form on this page can route you to a participating attorney who will confirm your eligibility for free.

How much can I receive?

The settlement establishes a tiered payout structure: a base no-proof payment per qualifying purchase, capped per household; and a higher with-proof payment for class members who can produce receipts, credit-card statements, or order confirmations.

Total settlement value: $18.5M. Estimated number of class members: 42 million. Most class members will receive their payout by check or electronic transfer within four to nine months after the court grants final approval.

How to file your claim (step-by-step)

1. Confirm you purchased the product during the class period.
2. Estimate the number of qualifying purchases you made.
3. Submit the online claim form with your contact information.
4. Upload any receipts or credit-card statements (optional but unlocks higher payout).
5. Choose direct deposit, check, or digital wallet for your payout.

Why this matters

Food-labeling class actions are how consumers push back against deceptive marketing on grocery shelves. Per-claim payouts are modest, but the cases drive label-reform pressure that benefits every shopper.

If you think you might be part of the affected class, it costs you nothing to find out. Use the form on this page to request a free consultation, or file directly through the settlement administrator using the steps above. For a deeper walkthrough of the federal class-action timeline, read our guide on what happens after you submit a claim form.

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