Mid America Pet Food's $5.5 Million Salmonella Settlement: What You Need to Know

Mid America Pet Food has agreed to pay $5.5 million to resolve a class action lawsuit alleging that several of its popular pet food brands were contaminated with Salmonella — a bacteria capable of causing serious illness and death in both animals and humans. The settlement, covering purchases made between October 2022 and February 2024, offered compensation ranging from $40 to $100,000 depending on the nature of the claim and available documentation.

The claim filing deadline was February 5, 2026, and the final approval hearing was scheduled for the following day. That window has now closed, and no new claims are being accepted.

How This Started

The contamination problem wasn't minor. According to the lawsuit, the FDA and CDC investigated seven confirmed human cases of Salmonella Kiambu infection potentially tied to Mid America pet food products. Six of the seven victims were children one year of age or younger. Five cases involved households with dogs, and three specifically reported feeding Victor brand pet food to their pets. One person was hospitalized.

Plaintiffs alleged that the company knew or should have known about the contamination but failed to warn consumers. Mid America has not admitted wrongdoing, agreeing instead to settle to avoid the costs and uncertainty of continued litigation.

The recalls came in waves — September, October, and November 2023 — after samples tested positive for Salmonella. Mid America ultimately recalled all pet food it manufactured with a best-by date before October 31, 2024. Affected brands included Victor Super Premium Dog and Cat Food, Wayne Feeds Dog and Cat Food, Eagle Mountain Pet Food, and two varieties of Member's Mark pet foods sold at Sam's Club.

Who Was Eligible

Any U.S. resident or entity that purchased qualifying Mid America products covered by the recalls announced September 3, October 30, or November 9, 2023, was potentially eligible. That included buyers of Victor Super Premium, Wayne Feeds, Eagle Mountain, and Member's Mark dog food purchased between October 31, 2022, and February 29, 2024. Pet owners whose animals fell ill or died after consuming these products could also file, as could commercial breeders who sustained documented business losses.

A full list of covered products with specific lot numbers and best-by dates was available at MidAmericaPetFoodSettlement.com, the court-authorized official site for the case.

What the Settlement Paid

Compensation varied significantly based on claim type and documentation.

For pet injury claims, class members with veterinary records, invoices, and receipts could recover 100 percent of documented losses up to $100,000. Those without documentation could claim $50 for a pet that became ill or $100 for a pet that died — modest amounts, but still available to those who couldn't produce paperwork. Breeders with documented losses could claim up to $100,000, though they faced additional requirements including sales records, profit and loss statements, tax records, and a valid commercial license.

On the consumer side, claimants with proof of purchase — receipts, order confirmations, credit card statements — were entitled to full reimbursement of the purchase price. Without documentation, the payout dropped to $20 per bag for up to two bags, capping at $40 per household. Each household was limited to one combined claim, though both a food purchase claim and a pet injury claim could be submitted together.

If the total valid claims came in under the settlement fund ceiling, class members stood to receive a proportional increase in their payment.

The Legal Framework

The case, formally known as Filardi v. Mid-America Pet Food, LLC, Case No. 23-cv-11170-NSR, was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Class members had several options. Filing a claim meant remaining part of the settlement and receiving compensation while giving up the right to sue Mid America separately. Doing nothing meant forfeiting any payment while still being bound by the settlement's terms — and still losing the right to sue independently. Those who wished to preserve their right to litigate separately had to mail a written exclusion request postmarked no later than January 6, 2026. Class members who disagreed with the settlement's terms but didn't want to opt out could file a formal written objection by the same date, addressed to the court, settlement administrator, class counsel, and defense counsel.

Key Deadlines

All deadlines have passed. The opt-out and objection deadline was January 6, 2026. The final claims deadline was February 5, 2026. The final approval hearing was scheduled for February 6, 2026.

Assuming the court granted approval and no appeals followed, payments were expected to begin within a few months of that hearing. Appeals, if any, could push that timeline out considerably. Approved claimants were to be notified by the settlement administrator, with the option to receive payment by check or electronic transfer. Checks carried a 90-day cashing window.

Where Things Stand

If you filed a timely claim, the settlement website at MidAmericaPetFoodSettlement.com remains the best place to monitor payment and approval updates. The settlement administrator can also be reached at 1-888-559-4088 or by mail at Mid America Pet Food Settlement, c/o Settlement Administrator, 1650 Arch St., Suite 2210, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

This settlement stands as one of the more significant pet food contamination resolutions in recent memory — notable not just for the dollar amount, but for the documented link between contaminated pet food and illnesses in infants. For families who lost pets or racked up veterinary bills, it offered at least some measure of financial accountability, even without an admission of fault from the company at the center of it all.