A proposed class action claims Walmart’s Great Value frozen shrimp bags contain up to 11% less shrimp than labeled because the ice glaze counts toward the weight.
Are you getting all the shrimp you paid for at Walmart?
A new lawsuit claims some Great Value frozen shrimp bags from Walmart contain up to 11% less shrimp than the label says, according to Allrecipes.
The proposed class action was filed Thursday, Oct. 8, in Cook County, Illinois.
What is the Walmart shrimp lawsuit about?
The weight of the shrimp. The lawsuit claims Walmart counts the ice glaze on its frozen Great Value shrimp toward the net weight on the package, according to Top Class Actions.
That means shoppers may be paying for frozen water, not just shrimp, the lawsuit argues.
What is an ice glaze on frozen shrimp?
A thin coating of ice. Seafood companies often dip frozen shrimp in water to create a glaze that helps protect the shrimp from freezer burn and drying out.
The lawsuit says guidance from the FDA says the glaze should not count toward the net weight on the label.
How much shrimp is allegedly missing?
Up to 11%, according to the lawsuit. The man who filed it says he bought several bags over three years and that some weighed less than labeled once the shrimp was thawed and drained, Allrecipes reported.
He says he wouldn’t have bought the shrimp, or would have paid less, if he’d known.
What does the lawsuit want?
Damages, restitution, and a court order to stop the alleged practice, according to Top Class Actions. The plaintiff also wants a jury trial.
The lawsuit claims Walmart’s labeling is unfair and deceptive and breaks express and implied warranties.
Who is included in the Walmart shrimp lawsuit?
For now, the proposed class covers Illinois consumers who bought Great Value shrimp products. A judge has not certified the class yet, and the lawsuit does not cover shoppers in other states.
What has Walmart said?
Walmart has not publicly commented on the lawsuit, according to Allrecipes and Top Class Actions.
The case is in its early stages. The claims are allegations, and Walmart has not been found liable for anything. Under Illinois court rules, Walmart has 30 days to respond after it’s served, or 60 days if it waives service.
How can you check your shrimp’s weight at home?
Thaw and drain it. Let frozen shrimp thaw completely in a strainer, pat it dry and weigh it on a kitchen scale. Then compare that number to the net weight on the bag.
Keep in mind that some weight loss can happen naturally as shrimp thaw, so a small difference doesn’t always mean a label is wrong.
Has Great Value shrimp been in the news before?
Yes. In August 2025, Walmart recalled some Great Value frozen shrimp after the FDA found traces of a radioactive material in shrimp from an Indonesian supplier, according to Wikipedia.
The FDA said the levels found were below its threshold for action. The recall later expanded to several other shrimp brands sold at other stores.
Are lawsuits like this common?
Fairly common. Food brands often face class actions over claims that products contain less than the label says, from shrimp and coffee to snacks.
Many of these cases settle or get dismissed, and it can take months or years before any outcome. Shoppers who think they may be part of a class usually don’t need to do anything unless a settlement is announced.
Article compiled with the help of the Pirates & Princesses newsroom.
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Hat Tips:
Allrecipes, Kennedy Dierks (Oct. 23, 2026), the lawsuit details, case status and Illinois response rules
Top Class Actions (Oct. 19, 2026), the ice glaze claim, FDA guidance, legal claims and relief sought
Wikipedia, the 2025 Great Value shrimp recall
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