The justice department has reportedly opened an investigation into what is driving the sharp rise in egg prices, including whether top producers have conspired to increase them.
Officials are also said to be looking at whether companies have held back supply. Their investigation is in its early stages, and may not lead to any formal action, according to the Wall Street Journal, which cited sources familiar with the matter.
The justice department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Guardian reported earlier this week on new research that suggests major egg corporations may be using avian flu as a ruse to hike up prices, generating record profits while hurting American consumers.
Egg prices have soared to record highs this year, with the cost of a dozen large eggs hitting almost $5 in January – more than two and a half times the average price three years ago, before the avian flu outbreak.
Experts have warned that prices are likely to climb further.
The United Egg Producers, an industry lobby group, told the Wall Street Journal that egg farmers are “doing everything they can to fight back against this deadly bird flu outbreak”.
