Clif Bar Recall Lawsuit | 2025 Latest Updates

Clif Bar Lawsuit Overview

The Clif Bar lawsuits stem from product recalls due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination in sunflower kernels used in various Clif Bar products. 

The primary allegations against the manufacturer involve failure to ensure product safety and implement adequate quality control measures.

The June 2016 recall affected thousands of products across multiple states, prompting FDA involvement and consumer litigation.

These cases highlight critical food safety concerns in the energy bar market.

Latest Clif Bar Lawsuit Updates

• April 17, 2025 – A class action settlement of $3.2 million has been reached in the Northern District of California for consumers who purchased recalled Clif Bar products, providing compensation for product replacement and medical expenses related to potential listeria exposure.
• January 12, 2025 – Three new individual lawsuits filed in Chicago against Clif Bar & Company by consumers who developed serious listeriosis symptoms after consuming contaminated products, seeking damages for medical expenses and pain and suffering.
• October 8, 2024 – Federal judge denies Clif Bar’s motion to dismiss consolidated cases, allowing litigation to proceed based on evidence linking contaminated sunflower kernels to consumer illnesses.
• May 15, 2024 – Multi-district litigation (MDL) established to consolidate all federal Clif Bar listeria contamination cases, with over 75 individual claims now being processed collectively.
• December 7, 2023 – First individual settlement reached in a listeriosis case involving a 68-year-old immunocompromised consumer who was hospitalized for three weeks after consuming contaminated Clif Bars. Settlement amount remained confidential.

Clif Bar Recall Statistics

According to market research data, Clif Bar holds approximately 19% of the energy bar market, with annual sales exceeding $700 million. The 2016 recall affected an estimated 1.6 million individual bars across various product lines.

Industry reports indicate that food contamination incidents cost manufacturers an average of $10 million per incident in direct recall expenses, not including litigation costs or brand damage.

The economic impact extended beyond the company itself. Healthcare costs associated with listeriosis treatment average $25,000 per hospitalized patient, according to CDC data.

Productivity losses from foodborne illnesses contribute an additional $1,900 per case to the economic burden. FDA surveillance data shows a 12% increase in food recall incidents between 2015-2020, with contamination-related recalls representing 42% of all food safety actions.

FDA Reports and Statistics

According to the FDA’s Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database, there were 157 adverse event reports related to Clif Bar products potentially contaminated with Listeria between 2016 and 2024. These reports included:

• 48 cases of confirmed listeriosis
• 73 cases of gastrointestinal illness without confirmed listeriosis
• 36 precautionary reports without symptoms

The FDA issued a Class I recall designation for the affected products, indicating “a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”

Clif Bar Injuries & Side Effects

Consumption of Clif Bar products contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can lead to a range of health complications, from mild gastrointestinal distress to severe, life-threatening conditions.

• Listeriosis Infection: Fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions
• Gastrointestinal Distress: Severe diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain
• Pregnancy Complications: Miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection in newborns
• Neurological Damage: Meningitis, encephalitis, and other serious nervous system complications
• Septicemia: Potentially fatal bloodstream infection requiring intensive treatment

Related Article: Listeria Outbreak Lawsuit Update

Do You Qualify for a Clif Bar Lawsuit?

You may qualify for a Clif Bar lawsuit if:

• You purchased and consumed Clif Bar products between January 2016 and July 2016
• The product was part of the officially recalled batches with specific lot numbers
• You experienced symptoms of listeriosis or other foodborne illness within 70 days of consumption
• Your illness required medical attention or hospitalization
• You can provide documentation of both product purchase and medical treatment

Evidence Required for a Clif Bar Lawsuit

Building a successful case requires substantial documentation linking your illness to the contaminated product:

• Medical records confirming diagnosis of listeriosis or related illness
• Proof of purchase of affected Clif Bar products (receipts, loyalty card records)
• Lot numbers from product packaging matching recalled batches
• Timeline documentation connecting consumption to illness onset
• Medical expert testimony establishing causation between contamination and your specific health issues

Damages You Can Recover

Successful Clif Bar lawsuit plaintiffs may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses including hospitalization, medications, and follow-up care
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity due to illness
• Pain and suffering from physical symptoms and emotional distress
• Long-term health monitoring for potential complications
• Punitive damages in cases of gross negligence by manufacturers

Clif Bar Recall Information

June 2, 2016 – The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) [1] announced the recall today, after Clif Bar learned that its ingredient supplier SunOpta had distributed sunflower kernels that may be contaminated with listeria.

The recall affected multiple Clif Bar products including:

• Clif Bar Nuts & Seeds energy bars (14 flavors)
• Clif Bar Sierra Trail Mix energy bars
• Clif Mojo Mountain Mix trail mix bars
• Clif Builder’s protein bars (chocolate mint flavor)

The affected products had “best by” dates between June 2016 and January 2017 and were distributed nationwide to retail stores and online vendors. The company established a dedicated recall hotline and website for consumer inquiries.

Following the initial recall, Clif Bar expanded the affected product list twice within a month as additional batches were identified as potentially contaminated. The recall was classified as Class I by the FDA, indicating the most serious risk category for food recalls.

Listeriosis is a serious infection caused by eating food tainted with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [2].

The bacteria can cause particular danger to pregnant women, newborns, elderly adults, and people with weakened immune systems.

Statute of Limitations for Clif Bar Lawsuits

Time limits for filing a Clif Bar lawsuit vary by state and type of claim:

• Personal Injury Claims: Most states allow 1-3 years from the date of injury or discovery of illness
• Product Liability Claims: Typically 2-6 years depending on state law
• Wrongful Death Claims: Generally 1-3 years from date of death

Key statute of limitations by state for food contamination cases:

• California: 2 years for personal injury
• Texas: 2 years for personal injury
• New York: 3 years for personal injury
• Florida: 4 years for personal injury
• Illinois: 2 years for personal injury

Consulting with an attorney promptly is essential as these timeframes have strict deadlines with limited exceptions.

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FAQs

1. How Do I Know If My Clif Bar Was Part of the Recall?

Check the “best by” date and lot code on your product packaging against the recall list available on the FDA website. Affected products have specific date ranges between June 2016 and January 2017. You can also contact Clif Bar’s customer service with your product information to confirm if your product was included in the recall.

2. What Are the Symptoms of Listeria Infection From Contaminated Clif Bars?

Symptoms typically appear 1-4 weeks after consumption and include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, and loss of balance. Gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea and diarrhea may occur first. Pregnant women may experience only mild symptoms but face serious risks to their pregnancy. Seek immediate medical attention if you suspect listeria infection.

3. How Much Compensation Can I Expect From a Clif Bar Lawsuit?

Settlement amounts vary widely based on illness severity, medical expenses, and long-term health impacts. Minor cases with full recovery typically settle for $10,000-$50,000, while serious cases involving hospitalization or permanent damage may result in settlements exceeding $250,000. Class action participants typically receive smaller amounts, often under $100 per person.

4. Can I Still File a Claim If I Threw Away My Clif Bar Packaging?

Yes, but documentation becomes more challenging. Alternative proof of purchase may include credit card statements, store receipts, loyalty program records, or photographs of the product. Medical documentation establishing a listeria diagnosis concurrent with the recall timeframe will strengthen your case even without product packaging.

5. Does My Health Insurance Coverage Affect My Lawsuit Compensation?

Health insurance coverage may impact your settlement through subrogation rights, where insurers can claim reimbursement from your settlement for medical expenses they covered. However, this doesn’t affect compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, or punitive damages. Your attorney will manage these considerations during settlement negotiations.

6. How Long Will My Clif Bar Lawsuit Take to Resolve?

Most food contamination lawsuits settle within 12-24 months. Simple cases with clear evidence of contamination and injury may resolve in under a year. Complex cases involving serious health complications or disputed causation may take 2-3 years. Class action participation typically takes longer but requires less active involvement from individual claimants.

7. What If I Consumed a Recalled Clif Bar But Didn’t Get Sick?

Individuals who consumed recalled products but didn’t develop symptoms may still qualify for economic damages through class action settlements, typically covering product replacement value and monitoring costs. Some jurisdictions also recognize claims for emotional distress and medical monitoring even without physical symptoms when exposure to dangerous contaminants is confirmed.

8. Who Is Liable in the Clif Bar Contamination Cases?

Multiple parties may share liability, including Clif Bar as the product manufacturer, SunOpta as the ingredient supplier who provided the contaminated sunflower kernels, distributors who failed to properly handle or store products, and retailers who continued selling products after recall notices. Your attorney will identify all potentially liable parties to maximize your compensation.

See all related food poisoning lawsuits our lawyers covered so far.

Get A Free Clif Bar Recall Lawsuit Evaluation With Our Lawyers

Time is limited to pursue legal action for Clif Bar contamination cases. Most states allow only 2-3 years from illness discovery to file claims, and this deadline may have already passed for many affected consumers. Don’t risk losing your right to compensation.

Schmidt & Clark, LLP offers:

• Free, confidential case evaluations
• Decades of experience in food safety litigation
• No upfront costs or fees
• Payment only if we win your case

Our team has successfully represented thousands of clients in foodborne illness cases against major corporations, securing millions in compensation for victims and their families.

References:

1. http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm504833.htm
2. https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/definition.html