Walmart Sued Over Allegedly Underweight Shrimp Packages
A lawsuit claims the retail giant has been inflating the weight of frozen shrimp with ice, resulting in less product than advertised.
Walmart is facing a lawsuit alleging that the company has been selling frozen shrimp with an excessive amount of ice glazing, leading consumers to purchase packages that contain less actual shrimp than advertised. The suit, filed by Elijah Baptist of Illinois, contends that some Walmart shrimp packages have up to 11% less shrimp by weight once the ice is removed.
Baptist claims he has regularly purchased Walmart shrimp for approximately three years and was disappointed when he discovered the discrepancy, particularly when buying shrimp for a party. According to the lawsuit, a jumbo bag of Walmart’s frozen, raw, tail-on shrimp, which is advertised as 2 pounds and typically contains 21 to 25 shrimp per pound, could be missing as many as 15 shrimp or about $5 in value if purchased in a 6-pound quantity.
A Walmart spokesperson stated that the company has policies in place to ensure suppliers provide correctly labeled products and that they are reviewing the complaint. This lawsuit follows a recent $45 million settlement Walmart agreed to in a separate class-action lawsuit concerning the weight of other food products.
The core of the current lawsuit appears to hinge on the practice of "glazing," a common and legal method in the seafood industry where water is used to coat raw shellfish, creating a protective barrier. However, the suit alleges that Walmart has engaged in excessive glazing, artificially increasing the product's weight and thus its price. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration notes that while glazing is standard, over-glazing can lead to overpriced seafood.
The Food and Drug Administration guidance indicates that the weight of the glaze should not be included in the net product amount, and failure to adhere to this can lead to criminal liability for manufacturers.
FrozeNet, a trade publication, highlights that shrimp is a common product for glazing. The publication also notes that if the glaze is clearly declared and priced honestly, the issue remains technical; however, if not, it can become a matter of consumer deception.
The lawsuit seeks to represent all consumers in Illinois who have purchased Walmart’s “Great Value” shrimp. Baptist is requesting a jury trial, damages, restitution, and injunctive relief.
This case echoes a previous class-action settlement where Walmart paid out millions for allegations of improperly weighed seafood, meat, and poultry, though the company did not admit wrongdoing in that settlement.