Overview
- An executive order signed Dec. 6 establishes Food Supply Chain Security Task Forces at the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission to investigate anti-competitive conduct across U.S. food industries.
- The scope includes meat processing, seed, fertilizer, and farm equipment, with authority to bring enforcement actions or propose new rules if violations are found.
- The Justice Department is directed to open criminal cases, including grand jury investigations, if evidence of collusion emerges.
- The task forces must jointly brief congressional leaders within 180 days and again at 365 days, without revealing non-public details of ongoing matters.
- The action expands a November directive targeting major meatpackers by formally broadening the inquiry to other sectors and assessing whether foreign-controlled firms raise costs or pose security risks.