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Aug 6, 2025

Old Lyme Gourmet Deep River Chips False Advertising Settlement July 2025

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Old Lyme Gourmet is settling a $4 million class action lawsuit for falsely advertising “non-GMO ingredients” on Deep River Chips. You’re eligible if you purchased qualifying products between February 2017 and December 2024. Claims must be filed by July 28, 2025, with compensation ranging from $5 for your first purchase to $0.50 for additional items (up to 10 claims without receipts). The settlement details reveal important deadlines and verification requirements for potential claimants.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Old Lyme Gourmet has agreed to a $4 million settlement regarding misleading non-GMO claims on Deep River Chips products.
Eligible purchases must be made between February 2, 2017 and December 6, 2024 and display “non-GMO ingredients” labeling.
Claims must be filed by July 28, 2025, with or without proof of purchase.
Compensation ranges from $5 for first purchase to $0.50 for additional items, with a $10 maximum for claims without proof.
Payment distribution will begin approximately in October 2025, after the July 28, 2025 claim submission deadline.

Settlement Overview: $4 Million Resolution for Non-GMO Claims

After reaching a significant legal resolution, Old Lyme Gourmet has agreed to pay $4 million to settle allegations that its Deep River Chips products featured misleading non-GMO claims. The settlement stems from consolidated class action lawsuits (case number 1:20-cv-01756-ENV-TAM) alleging the company’s packaging graphics falsely implied third-party certification.

Though the manufacturer denies wrongdoing, the settlement implications are substantial for consumers who purchased products between February 2017 and December 2024. You’re eligible for compensation ranging from $5 for your first purchase to $0.50 for additional items. Without receipts, you can claim up to $10, while those with proof of purchase face no maximum limit. The settlement covers a wide range of popular flavor varieties including Pink Himalayan Sea Salt and Rosemary & Garlic. The final court approval hearing is scheduled for May 15, 2025, which could affect payment timing. This resolution enhances consumer awareness regarding non-GMO advertising practices across the industry. Consumers must submit their valid claim forms by the deadline of July 28, 2025 to receive compensation.

Who Qualifies for the Deep River Chips Settlement

To qualify for the Deep River Chips settlement, you must have purchased specific potato chip products displaying “non-GMO ingredients” labeling between February 2, 2017, and December 6, 2024. You’re automatically included in the settlement class unless you submitted an exclusion request by March 25, 2025.

Settlement Eligibility Criteria	Requirements	Limitations
Purchase Timeframe	Feb 2, 2017 – Dec 6, 2024	No exceptions
Product Labeling Standards	Must show “non-GMO ingredients”	Other products excluded
Proof of Purchase	Valid receipts or statements	Optional but beneficial
Claim Limitations	Unlimited with proof	Max 10 without proof
Filing Deadline	July 28, 2025	Now closed

The settlement allows claims with or without proof of purchase documentation. Those with valid receipts have no quantity limits, while those without proof are limited to 10 products. Eligible consumers may receive up to $10 or more as part of the $4 million settlement.

Compensation Details: What Claimants Can Expect

Under the terms of the $4 million settlement fund, eligible claimants can receive specific compensation based on their documentation status. Payment variations depend entirely on your proof of purchase situation, with the settlement structured to accommodate different documentation levels.

Claimant expectations should align with these payment tiers:

With proof of purchase – $5.00 for your first product plus $0.50 for each additional item, with no maximum cap on total products claimed
Without proof – $5.00 for first product plus $0.50 for each additional item, limited to 10 total products ($10.00 maximum)
Combined claims – Submit both types simultaneously to maximize your potential payment

This settlement applies to Deep River potato chips that were falsely advertised as non-GMO products despite containing genetically modified ingredients.

All valid claims will be processed after the final approval hearing scheduled for May 15, 2025.

Key Deadlines for the Old Lyme Gourmet Settlement

You’ve missed the July 28, 2025 filing deadline for the Old Lyme Gourmet Deep River Chips settlement, as no claims are being accepted after this cutoff date. The exclusion and objection period closed earlier on March 25, 2025, which preceded the final approval hearing held in federal court on May 15, 2025. Payment distributions will follow the claims processing period now that the settlement has received final court approval under case number 1:20-cv-1756-ENV-TAM.

Filing Period Expired

The claim filing period for the Old Lyme Gourmet Deep River Chips settlement officially closed on July 28, 2025, marking the end of consumers’ opportunity to receive compensation from the $4 million settlement fund. The claims process has now shifted to the payment processing phase, with Epiq Class Action & Claims Solutions managing the distribution to verified claimants.

If you’ve missed the deadline, you should be aware that:

No extensions will be granted beyond the July 28 cutoff date
The settlement website PotatoChipsSettlement.com no longer accepts new claims
Only timely submitted valid claims will receive compensation from the fund

Settlement updates will be communicated only to those who submitted claims before the expiration date.

Payment Disbursement Timeline

Following the July 28, 2025 claim filing deadline, approved claimants can expect to receive their settlement payments approximately 60-90 days later, with initial disbursements scheduled to begin by October 2025. The payment structure allows for $5.00 for your first claimed product and $0.50 for each additional item.

Claim Type	Base Payment	Additional Items	Maximum
With Proof	$5.00	$0.50 each	Unlimited
Without Proof	$5.00	$0.50 each (up to 10)	$10.00
Mixed Claims	$5.00	Varies by documentation	Combined
Late Claims	$0.00	Not eligible	None

The distribution mechanics involve validation of all claims before payments are processed. You’ll receive your settlement via the payment method selected during claim submission.

The Legal Allegations Behind the Lawsuit

At the heart of the Old Lyme Gourmet lawsuit lies a series of damaging allegations regarding Deep River Snacks’ marketing practices. The company faced accusations of deliberately misrepresenting their potato chips as containing “non-GMO ingredients” when they actually contained genetically modified components—a clear violation of consumer rights with serious legal implications.

Three key deceptive practices alleged:

Using misleading “Non-GMO Ingredients” graphics on packaging that falsely suggested third-party certification
Charging premium prices for supposedly non-GMO products that contained GMO ingredients
Systematically targeting health-conscious consumers through false advertising across their product line

The consolidated class action (Rankins et al. v. Old Lyme Gourmet Co., case number 1:20-cv-1756-ENV-TAM) covered nationwide purchases between February 2017 and December 2024, culminating in a $4 million settlement. Particularly concerning was that the products allegedly contained dairy from cows fed GMO feed, directly contradicting the non-GMO claims on packaging. Affected consumers who purchased any of the ten covered varieties can submit claims through the settlement website until the July 28, 2025 deadline.

How to Submit a Claim for Payment

You must submit your claim forms by July 28, 2025, either through the settlement website or by U.S. mail, with all required fields completed. Valid documentation includes receipts, credit card statements, or bank records that verify your purchase of Deep River chips labeled as containing “non-GMO ingredients” between February 2, 2017, and December 6, 2024. Payment processing will begin after the final approval hearing on May 15, 2025, with claim amounts varying based on whether you provide proof of purchase, up to a maximum of $10.00 for undocumented claims. Each claim must be for personal or household use purchases only, as products bought for resale are not eligible for compensation.

CLAIM SUBMISSION DEADLINES

While the settlement offered compensation for consumers who purchased Deep River Snacks products with “non-GMO ingredients” labeling, the claim submission period has officially closed.

The claim process required all submissions by July 28, 2025, with no extensions available beyond this cutoff date. Settlement updates confirm all deadlines have now passed. As fellow consumers seeking fair treatment, we should note:

Both online and mail-in claim options faced identical July 28, 2025 deadlines
All submission methods required verification of settlement class membership
No grace periods were granted after the official deadline closed

This settlement now appears in “closed settlements” directories, with the $4 million compensation fund moving toward distribution following the May 15, 2025 final approval hearing.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION DETAILS

With the claim deadline established, understanding the required documentation details is now central to your compensation eligibility. You’ll need to submit your claim either online through the settlement website or via U.S. mail using the official form.

For maximum compensation, provide purchase verification such as receipts or credit card statements. With documentation, you’ll receive $5.00 for your first product and $0.50 for each additional purchase without limit. Without proof, you’re still eligible for $5.00 for the first product and $0.50 for up to ten additional products (maximum $10.00).

The settlement administrator will validate all documentation types against eligibility criteria. Remember, only purchases of Deep River Snacks potato chips displaying “Non-GMO Ingredients” graphics between February 2, 2017 and December 6, 2024 qualify for compensation under this settlement.

PAYMENT DISTRIBUTION TIMELINE

Following the July 28, 2025 claim submission deadline, settlement payments will be distributed according to a structured timeline established by the court. The claims processing period is now underway, with administrators reviewing all submissions for eligibility verification.

Once verified, payment distribution will proceed through the method you selected on your claim form. As a settlement class member, you can expect:

Initial processing confirmation within 30 days of the submission deadline
Secondary verification of all claims completed by September 15, 2025
Distribution of payments beginning approximately October 2025, pending final court approval

If you submitted a valid claim before the deadline, no further action is required. The settlement administrator will handle all remaining steps in the distribution process according to the court-approved schedule.

Proof of Purchase Requirements and Limitations

Because claimants’ compensation varies considerably based on documentation status, understanding the proof of purchase requirements in the Old Lyme Gourmet Deep River Chips settlement is essential. You’ll receive $5 for your first documented purchase, plus $0.50 for each additional verified product—with no maximum limit on documented claims.

Without receipts, your claim faces significant documentation challenges and compensation clarity becomes vital: you’re limited to a maximum of 10 products ($5 for the first item, $0.50 for each remaining nine), capping your total at $10.

Only Deep River potato chips displaying the “Non-GMO Ingredients” graphic qualify for this settlement. Remember, your purchases must fall within the February 2, 2017 through December 6, 2024 timeframe. The settlement administrator accepts various forms of purchase verification to substantiate your claim.

Settlement Administration Process Explained

The settlement administration process for Old Lyme Gourmet Deep River Chips operates through Epiq Class Action & Claims Solutions, the court-appointed administrator responsible for managing all aspects of the $4 million settlement fund. You can address settlement transparency concerns by visiting PotatoChipsSettlement.com, the official court-approved website where all legitimate communications originate.

Claims processing efficiency is maintained through three key stages:

Initial submission validation (online or mail)
Proof verification assessment ($5 for first product, $0.50 for each additional)
Payment determination and distribution

The administrator handles all verification procedures, ensuring compliant distribution of funds according to established formulas—$10 maximum without receipts or unlimited with proof of purchase. While the claims period closed July 28, 2025, you can still contact the administrator through the website for settlement-related questions.

What Happens After the Claims Period Ends

Once the claims period for the Old Lyme Gourmet Deep River Chips settlement concludes, Epiq Class Action & Claims Solutions initiates the final review phase for all submitted claims. During this period, the administrator validates documentation, addresses any deficiencies, and finalizes the list of eligible claimants.

You’ll receive notification about your claim status within approximately 60-90 days after the deadline passes. If approved, payment processing begins after the court grants final approval and any appeals are resolved.

Future actions include distribution of settlement funds, which typically occurs via the payment method you selected during submission. The settlement administrator may contact you if additional information is needed to process your payment. Remember that exact timelines depend on court proceedings and potential appeals that could extend the final distribution schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

When Will Settlement Payments Be Distributed to Approved Claimants?

You’ll receive your settlement payment after the October 21, 2025 final approval hearing. The settlement timeline depends on court approval, with claimant eligibility already determined from validated submissions.

Can I Still Qualify if I Bought Chips at Non-Grocery Retailers?

Unfortunately, you’ve missed the July 28, 2025 deadline regardless of where your chip purchases occurred. The settlement covered non-grocery retailers, but no new claims are being accepted now.

Will Accepting Settlement Payments Affect Future Legal Rights?

Accepting settlement payments typically waives your rights to pursue future claims related to the same issues. Review the release terms carefully to understand all legal implications before submitting your claim.

How Were the Settlement Amount and Payment Structure Determined?

Your settlement calculations were based on typical purchase patterns and litigation risks. The payment methodology offers $5 for first purchases and $0.50 for additional items, balancing compensation with administrative feasibility.

What Evidence Led to the Allegations About GMO Ingredients?

The evidence behind GMO allegations isn’t disclosed in available information. You’d need specifics on testing protocols, ingredient transparency investigations, and GMO labeling verification methods that supported the plaintiff’s claims.

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