The Department of Justice (DOJ) is expanding its investigation into beef affordability by adding eight of the largest retailers to its list of companies to investigate.
The companies include Kroger, Publix, Walmart, Albertsons, Aldi, Ahold Delhaize USA, Costco and Amazon.
In a Sept. 1 X post, the DOJ said its Antitrust Division has submitted letters to the companies regarding recent increases in the retail price of beef. “Beef prices are a critical concern to Americans, and a priority for this Justice Department,” the post concluded.
In May, the DOJ announced it was investigating the nation’s largest meatpackers for potential antitrust violations.
Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund USA (R-CALF) applauded the action.
“We are encouraged that the Department of Justice is expanding the scope of its beef affordability investigation to include the retail sector,” said R-CALF CEO Bill Bullard. “There has long been a disconnect between cattle prices and beef prices that raises serious questions about whether market power is contributing disproportionately to consumer beef prices.”
