BELOW SUPERNAV drop zone ⇩

You could get cash from an A&W Root Beer settlement

Empty A&W root beer bottles are stacked at the Dr Pepper Snapple bottling plant in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Stravato)

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

maylen

https://digital-stage.newsnationnow.com/

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241114185800

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241115200405

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241118165728

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241118184948

(WXIN) – Fans of A&W Root Beer and Cream Soda are eligible for some cash after a judge granted preliminary approval of a settlement over what plaintiffs called misleading claims regarding the drinks.

The settlement involves the “Made with Aged Vanilla” claim printed on some of the company’s products, including 12 oz. cans, 20 oz. plastic bottles and two-liter bottles.

Three plaintiffs argued the beverages didn’t contain aged vanilla and were instead flavored with ethyl vanillin, a “cheap and inferior substitute for real vanilla,” according to the lawsuit.

The approval of the settlement comes years after plaintiffs initially filed the suit.

The lawsuit noted that a survey of 411 consumers in March 2020 found 89% of them believed, based on the “Made with Aged Vanilla” labeling, that the A&W products were vanilla flavored. The survey showed that most respondents took the statement to mean that the vanilla flavoring came “from a vanilla plant, such as a vanilla extract, which is made from vanilla beans from the vanilla plant.”

Tests from an independent laboratory, however, revealed that “the predominant, if not exclusive, source of the vanilla flavor derives from an artificial, synthetic ingredient – ethyl vanillin.” Plaintiffs argued that, if they’d known the true source of A&W’s flavoring, they would “not have purchased the product at a premium price.”

Keurig Dr Pepper, which owns A&W, agreed to a $15 million class action settlement. Anyone who bought A&W Root Beer or Cream Soda between Feb. 7, 2016, and June 2, 2023, is eligible. The settlement includes the following products:

  • A&W Root Beer (regular)
  • Diet A&W Root Beer
  • A&W Root Beer Zero Sugar
  • A&W Cream Soda (regular)
  • Diet A&W Cream Soda
  • A&W Cream Soda Zero Sugar

The company admitted no liability. It settled the case to avoid further litigation and expenses associated with the lawsuit, according to ClassAction.org.

Consumers don’t need a documented proof of purchase to file a claim, although those who do have a proof of purchase are eligible for a larger payout.

According to ClassAction.org, those without a proof of purchase are eligible for a payment of $5.50, with the amount being adjusted based on the number of valid claims. Consumers who submit evidence of their purchase can get up to $25.

A website for filing claims has been set up, although it’s not live as of this publication. Final approval of the settlement is expected in September 2023.

Business

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

Site Settings Survey

 

MAIN AREA MIDDLE drop zone ⇩

Trending on NewsNation

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241119133138

MAIN AREA BOTTOM drop zone ⇩

tt

KC Chiefs parade shooting: 1 dead, 21 shot including 9 kids | Morning in America

Witness of Chiefs parade shooting describes suspect | Banfield

Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting: Mom of 2 dead, over 20 shot | Banfield

WWE star Ashley Massaro 'threatened' by board to keep quiet about alleged rape: Friend | Banfield

Friend of WWE star: Ashley Massaro 'spent hours' sobbing after alleged rape | Banfield

Fair

la

50°F Fair Feels like 49°
Wind
3 mph ENE
Humidity
50%
Sunrise
Sunset

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Low 47F. Winds light and variable.
47°F Partly cloudy skies. Low 47F. Winds light and variable.
Wind
2 mph NNE
Precip
7%
Sunset
Moon Phase
Waning Gibbous