Attorney General Ellison secured more than 50 million eggs for consumers nationwide and $3.3 million from some of the nation’s largest egg producers for colluding behind the scenes to raise prices. A bipartisan multistate investigation with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed evidence that Cal-Maine Foods (Cal-Maine), Versova/Centrum (Versova), and Hickman’s Egg Ranch (Hickman’s) illegally 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, roughly 2 million eggs will be delivered directly to food banks and community organizations serving Minnesotans.

“Corporations should be competing against one another for your business, not colluding with one another to keep prices high. As I travel Minnesota, I hear all the time from folks who are struggling to afford rising food prices. Unlawful and unethical behavior like this is a big part of the reason for that. In fact, I recently shut down a similar unlawful scheme among the nation’s leading meat processors. I will continue doing everything in my power to fight back against price manipulation and keep costs fair for Minnesotans.” – AG Ellison