Class-action settlement: What to know about $15 million A&W suit

Those who purchased A&W root beer or cream soda products between February 2016 and June 2023 could be eligible to receive compensation from a $15 million class-action settlement. The deadline to submit a claim form is Oct. 18.

A New York judge approved a preliminary settlement earlier this summer in a class-action lawsuit against A&W Concentrate Co. and Keurig Dr Pepper Inc., who make A&W root beer and cream soda products. The final hearing will take place on Oct. 19.

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What is the lawsuit about?

The class-action lawsuit was first filed in 2020 over allegations of misleading advertising by labeling products as being “Made With Aged Vanilla,” as the soda is made with a synthetic ingredient called ethyl vanillin, not real aged vanilla.

In a preliminary hearing, the company said their products were not untruthful or misleading, claiming “purchasers did not pay a ‘premium’ for the Products as a result of any misrepresentations.”

How can I file a claim?

In order to qualify for a claim, applicants must have bought at least one A&W root beer or cream soda product, with diet and zero sugar versions counting, that included the label “Made With Aged Vanilla” between Feb. 7, 2016, and June 2, 2023.

To file a claim, consumers can go to rootbeerandcreamsodasettlement.com. Claim forms must be submitted online or postmarked by Oct. 18. This class-action claim does not require proof of purchase to be eligible for compensation.

For those not interested in taking part in the lawsuit and do not file a claim, “you agree to be bound by the Settlement, you give up your rights to sue Defendants for the claims released by the Settlement, and you will not get money from the Settlement,” according to the settlement site.

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How much money will I be issued?

Those who are eligible for the settlement will see a minimum cash payment of $5.50 and a maximum of $25. Applicants who file a claim without proof of purchase will receive a payment of $5.50, while customers with proof of purchase can get up to $25.

When will I receive a payment? 

A court decision will be released at a pending date after the final hearing in mid-October, and payments will be distributed to those who submitted a claim at an undisclosed time after.