Butterball has reached an agreement to settle a lawsuit accusing it of collaborating with other poultry companies to depress wages and employee benefits.
A recent filing on August 27 in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland revealed that Butterball and the plaintiffs have come to a settlement agreement, though the finalization awaits court approval.
The specific details of the settlement have not been disclosed. Importantly, settling the case does not equate to Butterball admitting to any wrongdoing.
This development comes shortly after similar settlement agreements were made by Koch Foods, a broiler producer, and Jennie-O Turkey Store, a subsidiary of Hormel Foods. Koch Foods’ settlement was filed in court on August 20, followed by Jennie-O’s on August 21. As with Butterball, the terms of these settlements have not been made public.
Butterball, based in Garner, North Carolina, ranks as the second-largest turkey producer in the United States, having processed 1.06 billion turkeys in 2023. The company’s product lines include well-known brands like Butterball, Carolina Turkeys, Just Perfect, and Farm to Family.
