Overhill Farms on Thursday announced that a judge has denied class action status for a lawsuit by former employees.

The suit, filed in 2009, alleged the company required employees to put on and remove protective clothing and wash their hands before and after working without paying employees for that time. The suit alleged other violations of labor regulations. The company denied the allegations.

In the ruling, Judge David Minning of the Los Angeles Superior Court said the plaintiffs could not represent the interests of other employees because the case does not meet certain requirements for certification as a class action lawsuit.

In a statement, Chief Executive James Rudis said: “We have stated from the outset that we believe these claims were completely without merit, and are pleased by the court’s ruling.”

Shares of Overhill Farms lost 19 cents or 5 percent to trade at $3.80 early Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange.