DOJ Expands Beef Price Probe to Major Retailers Including Walmart and Amazon

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has expanded its investigation into rising beef prices to include major retailers such as Walmart, Costco, Amazon, and others.

The probe is focused on recent increases in retail beef prices, which have averaged $6.89 per pound over the past year, a 10% increase from the same period last year, according to BLS data.

The DOJ has dispatched letters to these retailers, emphasizing that beef prices are a 'critical concern' for Americans and a priority for the Justice Department.

This investigation follows a previous probe into potential antitrust violations in the beef market, which was aimed at examining whether meatpacking industry concentration has contributed to soaring prices.