Bigelow Tea $2.5M False Advertising Class Action Settlement

Nicole Aljets

Editor & Community Manager

Published

November 4, 2026 11:00 AM

Updated

November 4, 2026

Who can file a claim?

Class members are consumers who purchased any qualifying Bigelow tea products at a retail store in California from Oct. 17, 2017, to July 31, 2023. Qualifying tea products include any 18- or 20-count box of the following teas labeled as “Manufactured in the USA 100% American Family Owned.”

Earl Grey Black Tea Caffeine
Green Tea Caffeine
Constant Comment Black Tea Caffeine
Green Lemon Tea Caffeine
Vanilla Chai Black Tea Caffeine
English Tea Time Black Tea Caffeine
Spiced Chai Black Tea Caffeine
French Vanilla Black Tea Caffeine
Vanilla Caramel Black Tea Caffeine

How much are settlement payments?

Class members have the following benefit options:

With proof of purchase: Class members with proof of purchase can submit a claim for up to 40 boxes at $0.50 per box for a maximum cash payment of $20 per household.
Without proof of purchase: Class members with no proof of purchase can submit a claim for up to 20 boxes at $0.50 per box for a maximum cash payment of $10 per household.

If the total value of all valid claims exceeds the $2,548,187 settlement fund, the settlement administrator will reduce each payment proportionally. If total claims are less than the fund, the settlement administrator may increase payments pro rata up to a maximum of $20 for claims without proof or $40 for claims with proof.

How to claim a class action rebate

To receive a settlement payment, class members can file a claim online or print and complete the PDF claim form and mail it to the settlement administrator.

Settlement administrator's mailing address: Tea Class Action, c/o JND Legal Administration, P.O. Box 91307, Seattle, WA 98111

The claim deadline is Feb. 8, 2027.

Claimants who want to receive payment electronically (via Zelle, Venmo or PayPal) must file online. Those who file a paper claim form will receive payment by check.

The claim form asks for the claimant’s name, address, email and phone number, as well as the number and type of eligible Bigelow tea products purchased. If claiming more than $10, proof of purchase is required.

Required claim information and proof

To submit a claim, class members must provide the number of boxes they purchased of each qualifying product.
To submit a proof of purchase claim, class members must provide supporting documentation, which may include receipt copies, paid invoices or other proof of purchase from a retail store.

Payout options

Zelle
PayPal
Venmo
Paper check (only option for mailed claims)

Settlement fund breakdown

The settlement fund will include:

Settlement administration costs: Up to $501,605.90
Attorneys' fees: $2,746,451
Attorneys' expenses: $653,756
Service awards to class representatives: $25,000 each ($50,000 total)
Payments to approved claimants: $2,548,187

The settlement administrator will donate any unclaimed settlement funds to Feeding America or the Consumer Federation of California (subject to court approval).

Important dates

Exclusion deadline: Jan. 7, 2027
Claim deadline: Feb. 8, 2027
Final approval hearing: May 17, 2027

When is the Bigelow tea settlement payout date?

The settlement administrator will issue payments to approved claimants within approximately 75 days after the court resolves any appeals and grants final approval to the settlement.

Why did this settlement happen?

The class action lawsuit alleged R.C. Bigelow Inc. falsely and deceptively advertised certain tea products as manufactured in the United States. The case went to trial, and on April 8, 2025, a jury found that Bigelow violated California’s Consumer Legal Remedies Act, breached an express warranty and made false representations.

The court entered judgment and Bigelow appealed but ultimately agreed to settle to avoid the ongoing expense and risk of further litigation.