Walmart is facing a proposed class-action lawsuit alleging that its Great Value frozen shrimp packages contain less shrimp than advertised because the listed net weight reportedly includes the protective layer of ice coating the seafood.
The lawsuit, Baptist v. Walmart Inc. (Case No. 2026CH09745), was filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by shopper Elijah Baptist. The complaint alleges that Walmart’s labeling misleads consumers by including the weight of the ice glaze used to protect the frozen shrimp from freezer burn.
According to the lawsuit, consumers may receive up to ‘11% less product than advertised’ once the product is completely thawed and drained.
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Walmart Facing Lawsuit Over Great Value Shrimp
Although ice glazing is a common practice in the frozen seafood industry, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires the declared net weight of food to exclude protective ice coatings.
The lawsuit argues that including the glaze in the advertised weight amounts to deceptive labeling, potentially causing shoppers to pay for ice rather than the amount of shrimp they expect to receive.
The proposed class action seeks to represent Illinois consumers who purchased the affected Great Value frozen shrimp products. It requests financial damages, restitution and a court order requiring Walmart to correct the allegedly misleading packaging. The plaintiff has also requested a jury trial. The complaint accuses Walmart of deceptive business practices, fraud and breach of product warranties.
At the heart of the allegations is the claim that customers are paying for a product weight that does not accurately reflect the amount of shrimp inside the package.
A Walmart spokesperson said the company has policies requiring suppliers to provide accurately labeled products. The retailer is reviewing the complaint and will respond through the legal process, according to the statement.
The case adds to Walmart's recent legal scrutiny over the accuracy of product weights and pricing. The retailer previously finalized a separate $45M class-action settlement involving allegations that certain weighted groceries and bagged citrus fruits were inaccurately weighed. The frozen shrimp lawsuit remains a set of allegations, and the claims have not been established as proven in court.
The proposed class action will seek to determine whether Walmart's labeling practices violated consumer protection laws and whether affected shoppers are entitled to compensation.
