The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has taken action against three major egg-producing companies—Cal-Maine Foods, Versova, and Hickman's Egg Ranch—for artificially inflating egg prices by 70% between 2022 and 2025. Exploiting the bird flu crisis, these firms allegedly conspired to create a fake shortage, driving prices to $9 per dozen. As part of a settlement, they must pay $3.3 million in fines and distribute 53 million eggs for free to food banks and the needy. Although the companies deny wrongdoing, leaked emails exposed the price-fixing scheme. https://argusnews.in/international/us-egg-price-fixing-scandal-companies-fined-free-eggs #creator program