To file a claim in the Mid America Pet Food Salmonella Recall Settlement, go to www.MidAmericaPetFoodSettlement.com/submit-claim, select your claim type, fill out the required information, and submit the form online or by mail before the February 5, 2026 deadline. The $5.5 million settlement covers U.S. residents who purchased affected products from brands including Victor Super Premium, Wayne Feeds, Eagle Mountain, and Member’s Mark pet foods between October 31, 2022 and February 29, 2024. Even if you no longer have your receipt, you can still file and receive up to $40 for undocumented food purchase claims. This settlement stems from *Filardi v.
Mid-America Pet Food, LLC*, Case No. 23-cv-11170-NSR, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The lawsuit followed multiple recalls in September, October, and November 2023 after the FDA identified Salmonella contamination at Mid America’s Mount Pleasant, Texas manufacturing facility. By November 9, 2023, the recall had expanded to include all products with best-by dates before October 31, 2024 — a sweeping action that affected countless pet owners across the country. This article walks through every step of the claims process, breaks down what you can expect to receive based on your situation, explains what documentation helps maximize your payout, and covers common pitfalls that could delay or reduce your compensation.
Table of Contents
- What Do You Need To File A Claim In The Mid America Pet Food Settlement?
- How Much Compensation Can You Get From The Salmonella Pet Food Settlement?
- Which Pet Food Brands And Products Are Covered By The Recall Settlement?
- Step-By-Step Guide To Submitting Your Claim Before The Deadline
- Common Mistakes That Could Reduce Or Delay Your Settlement Payment
- What The FDA Warning Letter Means For Affected Pet Owners
- What Happens After You File Your Claim
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Do You Need To File A Claim In The Mid America Pet Food Settlement?
The filing process itself is straightforward, but what you need depends on which type of claim you are submitting. There are two main categories: food purchase claims (you bought recalled pet food) and pet injury or death claims (your pet got sick or died after eating the recalled food). For a basic food purchase claim without documentation, you only need your personal contact information and a declaration that you purchased one or more affected products during the eligible period. For documented claims or pet injury claims, you will want to gather receipts, veterinary records, and any other proof of your losses before you start. A full list of specific recalled product formulations and UPC codes is available under Exhibit D on the official settlement site at www.MidAmericaPetFoodSettlement.com.
This matters because not every Victor or Wayne Feeds product is covered — only those manufactured at the Mount Pleasant, Texas facility during the relevant timeframe. Before you file, cross-reference the products you bought against that list. For example, if you purchased Victor Hi-Pro Plus dog food in early 2023, check the UPC and best-by date against Exhibit D to confirm it falls within the recall scope. One thing people overlook is that the eligible purchase window runs from October 31, 2022 through February 29, 2024. If you bought a bag of recalled food in March 2024, even if it was still on store shelves, the settlement terms as written may not cover that purchase. Check the dates carefully.
How Much Compensation Can You Get From The Salmonella Pet Food Settlement?
The settlement uses a tiered compensation structure, and the differences between tiers are significant. At the top end, fully documented pet injury claims — where you have veterinary records showing your pet became ill or died from Salmonella linked to the recalled food — are paid at 100% of approved documented losses, up to $100,000. This covers vet bills, medication costs, emergency care, and related expenses. At the other end, undocumented food purchase claims pay $20 per bag purchased, capped at two bags, meaning the maximum for someone who tossed their receipt is $40. Between those extremes, there are important middle tiers. If your pet became ill but you lack full veterinary documentation, you can file a declaration-only pet injury claim for $50 per affected pet.
If your pet died and you do not have documentation, that amount increases to $100 per pet. These are not large sums relative to the emotional and financial toll of losing a pet, but they do not require you to produce records you may not have. However, if you do have documentation — even partial records — you should submit a documented claim rather than settling for the declaration-only amount. A single emergency vet visit for a Salmonella-related illness can easily run $500 to $2,000 or more. Filing as a documented claim with whatever records you can obtain from your veterinarian will almost certainly yield a higher payout than the flat $50 or $100 declaration amount. Keep in mind that the $5.5 million fund is shared among all valid claimants, so if the total approved claims exceed the fund, documented claims at the lower tiers may be reduced proportionally.
Which Pet Food Brands And Products Are Covered By The Recall Settlement?
Four brand families are covered under this settlement: Victor Super Premium Dog and Cat Food, Wayne Feeds Dog and Cat Food, Eagle Mountain Pet Food, and Member’s Mark Pet Foods. The common thread is that all of these products were manufactured at Mid America Pet Food’s facility in Mount Pleasant, Texas — the same plant where the FDA identified Salmonella contamination that triggered the recalls. The recall rollout happened in stages, which created confusion for consumers. Initial recalls in September 2023 covered specific lots of Victor and Wayne Feeds products. October 2023 brought additional product recalls.
Then on November 9, 2023, Mid America issued a sweeping expansion that covered all products with best-by dates before October 31, 2024. That final expansion is the one that captured the broadest range of products. If you purchased any of these brands during the eligible period and the product had a best-by date before October 31, 2024, there is a strong chance it falls within the settlement class. Member’s Mark products deserve specific mention because they are sold exclusively at Sam’s Club, meaning a large number of warehouse club shoppers may be eligible without realizing it. If you bought Member’s Mark dog or cat food at Sam’s Club between late 2022 and early 2024, check your purchase history through the Sam’s Club app or website — that digital record can serve as proof of purchase for a documented claim.
Step-By-Step Guide To Submitting Your Claim Before The Deadline
Start by visiting www.MidAmericaPetFoodSettlement.com/submit-claim. The site will ask you to choose between a food purchase claim and a pet injury or death claim. Select the one that applies — if both apply, you may need to file under both categories to capture the full scope of your losses. Fill in your name, address, and contact information, then provide details about the products you purchased and, if applicable, the harm your pet suffered. For documented claims, upload or attach your supporting evidence. Receipts, bank or credit card statements showing the purchase, veterinary invoices, diagnosis records, and prescription records all strengthen your claim.
You do not need every possible piece of documentation — even one receipt or one vet record is better than none. The tradeoff is clear: a fully documented food purchase claim is reimbursed at 100% of approved losses, while an undocumented claim caps out at $40. That gap alone should motivate you to spend 15 minutes digging through old email confirmations or calling your vet’s office for records. Once your form is complete, you can submit it electronically through the website or print the form and mail it. If mailing, the form must be postmarked by February 5, 2026. Online submissions must also be completed by that same date. Given that the deadline is firm and postal delays are always a risk, filing online is the safer option if you have the ability to scan or photograph your supporting documents.
Common Mistakes That Could Reduce Or Delay Your Settlement Payment
The most costly mistake is filing an undocumented claim when you actually have documentation available. People assume that because they threw away the bag or the receipt, they have no proof. But credit card statements, loyalty program purchase histories, online order confirmations from Chewy or Amazon, and veterinary intake records that note the brand of food your pet eats can all serve as supporting evidence. Before you accept the $20-per-bag undocumented rate, exhaust every avenue for records. Another common issue is missing the deadline entirely.
February 5, 2026 is not a soft target — claims submitted after that date will not be considered. Set a reminder now rather than assuming you will get to it later. Settlement administrators are strict about cutoffs because the court order that approved the settlement includes that date as a binding term. Finally, be aware that filing a fraudulent claim — exaggerating losses, claiming products you did not buy, or fabricating pet injuries — is not just unethical but can result in your entire claim being denied and potentially expose you to legal consequences. The settlement administrator reviews claims and may request additional verification for high-value submissions. File honestly and provide what you can.
What The FDA Warning Letter Means For Affected Pet Owners
On November 22, 2024, the FDA issued Warning Letter #681516 to Mid America Pet Food LLC regarding the Salmonella contamination at their Mount Pleasant facility. This letter is a matter of public record and details the agency’s findings about the conditions that led to the contamination and recall. While the warning letter does not directly affect your ability to file a claim in the settlement, it does confirm the federal government’s independent finding that the facility had serious food safety violations.
For pet owners who are on the fence about whether the recalled food actually posed a genuine risk, the FDA’s action removes any ambiguity. This was not a precautionary recall based on theoretical contamination — federal inspectors confirmed the problem. If you purchased affected products during the eligible window, filing a claim is a reasonable step whether or not your pet showed symptoms.
What Happens After You File Your Claim
After submitting your claim, the settlement administrator will review it for completeness and eligibility. This process takes time — do not expect an immediate check in the mail. Documented claims, particularly those involving significant pet injuries, may undergo additional review and could require follow-up documentation.
The settlement fund of $5.5 million will be distributed after all claims are processed, objections are resolved, and the court issues a final approval. If the total value of all approved claims exceeds $5.5 million, payments may be reduced on a pro-rata basis, meaning everyone gets a proportional share rather than their full approved amount. This is standard in class action settlements and is another reason to file a documented claim if possible — higher-tier claims are prioritized in the distribution hierarchy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file a claim if I no longer have the receipt for the recalled pet food?
Yes. Undocumented food purchase claims are accepted at $20 per bag, up to two bags, for a maximum of $40. However, check your credit card statements, online order history, or store loyalty programs first — any proof of purchase qualifies you for the higher documented reimbursement rate.
What is the deadline to file a claim in the Mid America Pet Food Settlement?
The deadline is February 5, 2026. Online claims must be submitted by that date, and mailed claims must be postmarked by that date. Late claims will not be accepted.
My pet got sick but I did not take them to the vet. Can I still file a pet injury claim?
Yes. Declaration-only pet injury claims pay $50 per pet that became ill and $100 per pet that died, without requiring veterinary documentation. You will need to provide a signed declaration describing what happened.
Which specific products are covered by the settlement?
Products from Victor Super Premium, Wayne Feeds, Eagle Mountain, and Member’s Mark pet food brands manufactured at the Mount Pleasant, Texas facility. A complete list of recalled formulations and UPC codes is available under Exhibit D at www.MidAmericaPetFoodSettlement.com.
How much money can I receive from this settlement?
It depends on your claim type. Undocumented food purchases pay up to $40. Documented food purchases are reimbursed at 100% of approved losses. Declaration-only pet injury claims pay $50 to $100 per pet. Fully documented pet injury claims pay up to $100,000.
Is Mid America Pet Food still operating after the recall?
The FDA issued a warning letter to Mid America Pet Food LLC on November 22, 2024 regarding the contamination issues. The settlement is a separate legal matter from any ongoing regulatory actions. Check the FDA’s website for the most current status of the company’s operations.