You’ve seen the green packages in the freezer aisle. Maybe you’ve even grilled a few of the patties at a summer cookout. But lately, Beyond Meat hasn’t just been in the news for its burger tech. It’s been stuck in a mess of legal battles that feel like a never-ending season of a courtroom drama.
Honestly, it’s a lot to keep track of. One minute there’s a dispute with a former partner, the next there’s an investor panic, and then you hear about a massive payout over a slogan.
The biggest thing most regular shoppers care about, though, is the Beyond Meat class action lawsuit regarding protein claims. Basically, a group of people argued that the "20g of protein" promised on the front of the box wasn't exactly what their bodies were getting.
The $7.5 Million Protein Problem
Let’s talk about the settlement that actually affects your wallet.
In August 2024, a judge gave the preliminary thumbs-up to a $7.5 million settlement. This was the result of a consolidated class action lawsuit (In Re: Beyond Meat, Inc., Protein Content Marketing and Sales Practices Litigation) that accused the company of playing fast and loose with its nutrition labels.
The core of the argument? Beyond Meat allegedly overstated the amount and the quality of the protein in its products.
Here’s the thing: Not all protein is created equal. Science people use something called the Protein Digestibility Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) to figure out how much of that protein your body can actually use. The lawsuit claimed that if you use the federally mandated testing methods, the "Daily Value" (DV%) on the labels was way off.
In one specific example cited in court documents, the Beyond Beef Plant-Based Ground (16oz) was labeled as having 20 grams of protein and 40% of your daily value. Independent lab tests mentioned in the suit suggested it was actually closer to 19 grams and—get this—only 7% of the daily value for protein. That is a massive gap.
Can you still get money?
If you bought Beyond Meat products between May 31, 2018, and August 14, 2024, you might be part of the "Settlement Class."
The deadline to file a claim is April 14, 2025.
- No Receipt? You can usually claim up to $10 (typically $2 per item for up to five items).
- Have Receipts? You can get $2 per product with no specific cap, as long as the fund lasts.
The final fairness hearing happened in January 2025. If you missed the November 2024 deadline to "opt out" or object, you're pretty much locked into the settlement terms.
Beyond Meat’s Recent $39 Million Slogan Headache
Just when the company thought they were clearing the deck, a federal jury in Massachusetts dropped a hammer in November 2025.
Beyond Meat was ordered to pay $38.9 million to a smaller company called Vegadelphia Foods. Why? Because of a tagline.
Beyond Meat had been using the slogans “Great Taste, Plant-Based” and “Plant-Based, Great Taste” to promote its partnership with Dunkin'. It turns out Vegadelphia had already trademarked “Where Great Taste Is Plant-Based” years ago.
The jury didn't buy Beyond’s argument that they were just "describing" the food. They found the infringement was willful. This is a huge hit for a company that’s already struggling with its stock price. It’s a classic David vs. Goliath story, except David just walked away with almost $40 million of Goliath’s lunch money.
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The New 2026 Investor Lawsuits
If you think the drama ends with consumers and competitors, check out the stock market.
As of January 2026, new legal investigations are popping up. Firms like Pomerantz LLP are looking into whether Beyond Meat misled investors.
The trouble started late in 2025 when the company announced some massive "non-cash impairment charges." Translation: They had to admit their assets weren't worth as much as they previously claimed. When that news hit, the stock price took a nosedive, falling over 20% in a single day in October 2025.
By November, the stock was trading around $1.22 per share. Compare that to the hype of their IPO years ago, and you can see why investors are calling their lawyers. They’re claiming the company wasn't transparent about scaling issues and production delays.
What Most People Get Wrong About These Suits
It is easy to think Beyond Meat is "fake" or "dangerous" because of a lawsuit. That’s not really what’s happening here.
Most of these legal fights are about marketing and accounting, not safety.
- The protein suit was about labeling accuracy and digestibility scores.
- The Vegadelphia suit was about trademarks.
- The investor suits are about financial transparency.
The food itself hasn't been recalled for being toxic. It’s more about whether the company told the truth about how "buff" that burger would make you or how much money they were actually making.
Is the "Natural" Claim Still an Issue?
Yes, actually. Part of the earlier lawsuits, including the one involving Don Lee Farms (which settled confidentially in 2023), brought up methylcellulose.
Beyond Meat often markets itself as being "made from plants" without synthetic ingredients. But methylcellulose—a common thickener—is technically a chemically processed ingredient. Critics argue it doesn't belong in an "all-natural" product. While the company settled these claims without admitting they did anything wrong, it has forced a lot of people to look closer at the ingredient list.
Real-World Takeaways for You
If you're a fan of plant-based meats or just a curious consumer, here is how to handle the noise:
- Check Your History: If you have digital receipts in your email from grocery deliveries between 2018 and 2024, go to the official settlement website and file a claim before the April 14, 2025 deadline. It takes five minutes.
- Don't Rely Solely on Front-of-Package Claims: If you are a bodybuilder or someone who strictly tracks macros, look at the actual ingredient list and the PDCAAS (if available) rather than just the "20g Protein" badge on the front. Plant proteins like pea protein are great, but they absorb differently than whey or beef.
- Watch the Ingredients: If you are trying to avoid "ultra-processed" foods, remember that Beyond Meat is a triumph of food engineering, but it is still engineered. Ingredients like methylcellulose are safe, but they aren't "straight from the garden."
- Follow the Stock: If you're an investor, the next few months of 2026 will be rocky. The combination of the $39 million trademark loss and the new securities fraud investigations means the company is in a fight for its life.
The Beyond Meat class action lawsuit saga is a reminder that even the most "mission-driven" companies have to follow the same boring rules as everyone else: label your food correctly, don't steal slogans, and tell your investors the truth about your bank account.
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Next Steps for Consumers:
If you believe you are eligible for the $7.5 million settlement, visit the In Re: Beyond Meat, Inc. Protein Settlement website to find your Class Member ID. You will need to submit your form by April 14, 2025, to receive a payout. Keep an eye on your inbox for updates regarding the distribution of funds, which is expected to begin later in 2025 after final court processing.