Cal-Maine Foods, Versova, and Hickman’s Egg Ranch reach a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice and 17 states resolving allegations of egg price manipulation. Under the agreement, the companies collectively pay a $3.3 million financial penalty. In addition to the monetary settlement, the producers are required to donate 53 million eggs to food banks. The settlement follows a broader price-fixing investigation pursued by federal and state authorities. Multiple outlets report that the companies face allegations related to manipulating egg prices during the period at issue, and that the settlement resolves the case without further litigation over the claims as described by the government. The terms also include the public-interest component of supplying large quantities of food to charitable organizations. The companies’ obligation to deliver the eggs and to make the penalty payment are key elements of the settlement agreement announced by authorities.