AG Brown, as part of a bipartisan multistate investigation with the U.S. Department of Justice,  revealed that Cal-Maine Foods, Versova/Centrum, and Hickman’s Egg Ranch unlawfully coordinated for years to influence a daily price index for eggs, which artificially increased prices for retailers and consumers throughout the country.  Of the 53 million eggs obtained through the settlement, over 2 million eggs will be delivered directly to food banks and community organizations serving Maryland. The state will also receive payment of over $120,000 related to this conduct.

“When Marylanders’ budgets were stretched so thin that they could barely keep food on the table, these three companies were colluding to make sure egg prices stayed as high as possible. This settlement holds these businesses accountable for rigging the market against Maryland’s most vulnerable and delivers eggs to the community organizations serving those hurt most by this unlawful scheme.”  -AG Brown