The deadline to claim a slice of a $500-million class-action lawsuit settlement over bread price-fixing is quickly approaching.

Canadian shoppers have until Dec. 12 to submit a claim for a share of the settlement, which comes after Loblaw Companies Ltd. and its parent company George Weston Ltd. were accused of participating in a yearslong and industry-wide scheme to fix the price of bread.

Anyone who purchased packaged bread – including bagged bread, buns, rolls, bagels, naan, English muffins, wraps, pita and tortillas – from the grocery giant between Jan. 1, 2001 and Dec. 31, 2021 is eligible. Claims can be submitted online and no proof of purchase is necessary.

Those who submit a claim could receive $50 or more by e-transfer or cheque. You must be at least 18 years old and a Canadian resident to be eligible.

Loblaw Companies Ltd. is Canada’s largest food retailer. Grocery chains operated by the company include Loblaws, Dominion, Fortinos, No Frills, Valu-mart, Zehrs and Real Canadian Superstore.

The price-fixing allegations were first made public in 2017. At the time, Loblaw and George Weston admitted to participating in the scheme that added at least $1.50 to the price of a loaf of bread, according to the Competition Bureau of Canada.

The $500-million settlement includes $96 million that has already been paid through a gift card program that Loblaw ran in 2018 and 2019 to make amends with customers. The remaining $404 million will be distributed after legal fees, administration and other expenses are paid, with 78 per cent of the remaining funds going to shoppers across Canada and the rest going to those in Quebec.

Payments to individuals are expected to be made between six and 12 months after the Dec. 12 deadline. Settlement funds for businesses and other entities will be made at a later date. Those who already received a gift card will only get paid if money remains after the initial distribution.

The settlement agreement was approved by courts in Ontario and Quebec in May and July.

In a 2024 statement, Loblaw “sincerely” apologized for its involvement in the scheme and said it has “taken a number of steps since that time to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”

Other companies – including Metro, Sobeys, Walmart Canada, Giant Tiger and Canada Bread – are facing similar allegations and separate class-action lawsuits, which are still ongoing. Those companies all deny participating in the scheme.