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MADISON, WI (WSAU-WAOW) – The U.S. Department of Justice and a coalition of states including Wisconsin are part of a settlement with some of the nation’s largest egg producers for allegedly colluding to raise prices.
The coalition secured more than 50 million eggs for consumers nationwide and $3.3 million from the egg producers, according to a DOJ press release.
A multistate investigation with the DOJ revealed that Cal-Maine Foods, Versova/Centrum and Hickman’s Egg Ranch illegally coordinated for years to influence a daily price index for eggs. This artificially increased prices for retailers throughout the country.
Of the 53 million eggs obtained through the settlement, approximately two million eggs will be delivered directly to food banks and community organizations serving Wisconsin. “Companies must not make goods less affordable by improperly manipulating prices,” AG Kaul said. “There must be accountability for that kind of conduct.”
Under the settlement, all three companies must end their illegal coordination to manipulate prices and adopt compliance measures to prevent future violations. The companies must also fully cooperate with oversight by the states. The companies will also pay a combined $3.3 million to the states. Joining the Wisconsin Department of Justice and U.S. DOJ in securing this settlement are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah and Vermont.
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