Harris plans crackdown on meat industry pricing

Federal ban on price gouging proposed by Harris

Vice President Kamala Harris has announced a bold initiative to implement a federal ban on price gouging within the food industry, specifically targeting the meat and poultry sectors. This move aims to address persistent high grocery prices that have burdened American families, particularly since the pandemic.

The proposal has been met with opposition from major trade groups like the Meat Institute and the National Chicken Council. These groups argue that the plan misattributes the cause of inflation, which they believe stems from natural supply chain disruptions and increased costs, rather than exploitative pricing strategies.

In her address in Raleigh, North Carolina, Harris highlighted that essential food items such as ground beef and bread remain about 50% more expensive than pre-pandemic levels, underscoring the urgency of her proposed legislation. She stressed the importance of tackling the few companies that disrupt economic fairness and exploit consumers by breaking established market rules.

Harris's strategy includes not only regulatory measures but also aims to foster a less consolidated food industry, which she and President see as crucial to ensuring competitive prices and fair market conditions.

This approach is part of a larger government effort to enhance market transparency and fairness, as evidenced by ongoing USDA studies and DOJ collaborations to identify and address antitrust issues within the industry.