If You Purchased Certain Tyson Chicken Products You May Be Part of a Class Action Settlement

SAN FRANCISCO, March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The following statement is being issued by Girard Gibbs LLP regarding the In Re: Tyson Foods, Inc., Chicken Raised Without Antibiotics Consumer Litigation.

If you purchased Tyson-branded chicken products labeled "Raised Without Antibiotics" or "Raised Without Antibiotics That Impact Antibiotic Resistance in Humans" between June 19, 2007 and April 30, 2009, you may be part of a class action settlement.  As part of the settlement, you may be able to file a claim for cash or a coupon.  For more complete information, please read the full notice by writing to the address, Tyson RWA Settlement, c/o The Garden City Group, Inc., P.O. Box 9588, Dublin, OH 43017-4888 or by visiting the website www.ChickenSettlement.com.

In 2007 and 2008, Tyson sold chicken products with a label stating either "Raised Without Antibiotics" or "Raised Without Antibiotics That Impact Antibiotic Resistance in Humans."  Plaintiffs say that Tyson's label was misleading. Tyson denies Plaintiffs' allegations and contends that its conduct was lawful.  

Under the terms of the proposed settlement, each class member who submits a valid claim may be entitled to cash or a coupon.  For more details, visit the website or write to the address below.

The Court has appointed attorneys to represent the Settlement Class.  Tyson will pay those attorneys' fees if the settlement is approved.  You may hire your own attorney, if you wish, at your own expense.  If you wish to remain a member of the Settlement Class, you do not have to do anything.  

To receive money or a coupon, you must file a claim.  If the Court approves the proposed settlement, you will be bound by all of the Court's orders.  This means you will not be able to sue Tyson over any of the matters covered by the settlement.

If you wish to submit a claim for cash or coupon, visit www.ChickenSettlement.com before July 6, 2010, and follow the instructions.  You may also mail a completed Claim Form postmarked by July 6, 2010 to the Settlement Administrator.

If you do not wish to be a member of the Settlement Class, you must submit a letter to the Settlement Administrator which must be received by April 19, 2010.  If you request to be excluded from the Settlement Class, you cannot submit a Claim Form.  You can tell the Court if you do not like this proposed settlement or some part of it if you do not exclude yourself.  To object or comment, you must file the appropriate papers with (1) the Clerk of Court, United States District Court for the District of Maryland (Northern Division), 101 W. Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, and (2) send a copy of those papers to settlement class counsel, A.J. De Bartolomeo, Girard Gibbs, 601 California Street, Suite 1400, San Francisco, CA 94108, and (3) send a copy of those papers to counsel for Tyson, Michael W. Davis, Sidley Austin LLP, One South Dearborn, Chicago, IL 60603.  The papers must be filed with the Court and received by counsel no later than April 19, 2010.

The Court will hold a Fairness Hearing on May 7, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. to consider whether the proposed settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate and to consider the motion for Plaintiffs' attorneys' fees and expenses and incentive awards to the Plaintiffs who represent the Settlement Class or were deposed in this litigation.

For a copy of the full Notice of Proposed Class Action Settlement and a Claim Form, write to:

You may also call 1-800-949-1890, or visit: www.ChickenSettlement.com.

SOURCE Girard Gibbs LLP