If you bought Fair Trade Certified Chobani yogurt or creamer between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2024, you can submit a Chobani class action lawsuit claim for cash reimbursement without proving the label personally influenced your purchase. The settlement in Austin et al. v. Chobani, LLC resolves allegations that the Fair Trade Certified mark on certain yogurts and creamers misled consumers about production standards and ingredient sourcing. Chobani denies wrongdoing and agreed to settle rather than continue litigating.
Who Qualifies
The class covers anyone in the United States who purchased eligible Chobani products during the class period of January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2024. Covered products are Greek yogurt cups, tubs, and creamers that carried the Fair Trade Certified mark, including the 5.3-ounce fruit-on-the-bottom cups, larger multi-serve containers, and the Chobani Coffee Creamer line.
A few groups are excluded. Anyone who bought the products for resale rather than personal consumption is out. So are Chobani employees, the presiding judge, and their immediate family members. Everyone else who bought a qualifying product during the window is eligible, and you do not have to show that the Fair Trade label actually drove your decision.
How to File Your Claim
The claim form lives on the dedicated settlement website referenced in the official class notice sent to potential class members. You can file online or by mail. The online portal generates an instant confirmation; a printable form is available for anyone who prefers to submit by postal mail to the settlement administrator’s address listed on the notice.
Every claim, regardless of tier, requires your full legal name, a current mailing address where a check can be delivered, and a valid email address for status updates. A mismatched name or outdated address is one of the most common reasons administrators reject or delay payments, so check these before you submit.
Tier 1: No Proof of Purchase
If you no longer have receipts, file a Tier 1 claim. You attest under penalty of perjury to the number of eligible Chobani products you bought during the class period. No documentation is required, but the payout per product is lower than Tier 2, and there is a cap on how many units you can claim without proof.
Tier 2: With Proof of Purchase
Tier 2 is for consumers who can produce itemized store receipts, digital purchase records, or credit card statements showing specific Chobani transactions. The portal accepts scanned images or clear photos. Verified purchases qualify for higher reimbursement, with payouts running roughly $10 to $25 depending on documented volume, though the final amount depends on how many valid claims the fund receives overall.
After You Submit
Once you finish the form and attach any supporting documents, click the final confirmation button. The system generates a unique Claim ID, which is your reference number for future inquiries. Save it along with any confirmation email. If you mail a paper form, send it by certified mail so you have proof of the postmark date.
Deadlines That Matter
The court granted preliminary approval on January 15, 2026, which set the schedule in motion. Miss a date and you are locked out.
- Opt-out deadline: May 1, 2026.
- Objection deadline: May 15, 2026.
- Final Fairness Hearing: June 18, 2026.
The claim filing deadline itself has not been widely published outside the official settlement notice. Check the settlement website listed on your class notice for the exact cutoff, and file well before it. Waiting until the last day risks technical problems with the online portal.
Opting Out or Objecting
Filing a claim means you accept the settlement terms and give up the right to sue Chobani separately over the same labeling issues. If you think your individual damages are worth more than what the settlement offers, you can opt out by mailing a written exclusion request postmarked no later than May 1, 2026. The request must include your name, address, and a clear statement that you want to be excluded. The mailing address appears in the official settlement notice.
If you want to stay in the settlement but believe the terms are unfair, file a written objection by May 15, 2026. Explain what you find inadequate and submit it to the court. The judge will consider all objections at the Final Fairness Hearing on June 18, 2026. You do not need a lawyer to object, but you do need to meet the deadline.
When Payment Arrives
The judge rules on final approval at or after the June 18, 2026 hearing. If the settlement is approved, an appeals window can stretch the timeline by several months, and no payments go out until the settlement is final and appeals are resolved.
After the administrator finishes auditing claims, payments typically go out by check or electronic transfer within 60 to 90 days of the final order taking effect. If the total value of valid claims exceeds the settlement fund cap, every payment is reduced proportionally, so early filing does not give you priority. Filing accurately and completely does reduce the chance your claim gets flagged for review and delayed.