A federal judge in Minneapolis preliminarily approved a $24.5 million settlement with pork wholesalers who allege the company was fixing prices through data exchanges and coordinated statements about herd cutbacks with other pork processors.
In addition to the payment, the pact includes a pledge by JBS to cooperate against the other pork processors named as defendants. According to Bloomberg Law, the settlement “resolves claims brought by “direct” purchasers, but not parallel retailer and consumer allegations consolidated with them in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota.”
JBS also agrees to cooperate against other pork processors named as defendants, which include affiliates of Tyson Foods Inc., Hormel Foods Corp., Clemens Food Group LLC, Seaboard Foods LLC, Smithfield Foods Inc., Triumph Foods Inc., and Eli Lilly & Co. subsidiary Agri Stats Inc., which runs industry databases.
