In a recent federal jury ruling, it has been determined that two major egg producers, along with two trade groups representing the egg industry, conspired to limit the availability of eggs and artificially increase prices. The jury's findings have sparked outrage among consumers, who have been hit with skyrocketing egg prices since the fall of 2022.

The story, however, goes deeper than what the headlines suggest. According to complaints dating back to 2011, the price-fixing scheme had reportedly been in place for much longer, possibly originating in the 1990s or even earlier. This revelation sheds light on the pervasive nature of fraudulent practices within the food industry.

While the cost of Thanksgiving dinner, as reported by the American Farm Bureau, has decreased by 4.5% compared to 2022, it remains 25% higher than in 2019. This raises questions about the role of corporate greed in driving up prices, a factor that is often overlooked or downplayed by the mainstream media.

Throughout 2022, media outlets seized upon the sharp increase in egg prices, using inflated figures to highlight the impact on consumers. The narrative often included stories of families or small restaurant owners struggling to cope with rising costs, attributing this phenomenon to an avian flu outbreak that had resulted in the death of millions of chickens. While the flu outbreak did indeed occur, it has become apparent that there were additional factors at play, including artificial shortages and price gouging by producers who were not significantly affected by the flu.

CNN reported that Cal-Maine Foods, the largest egg producer in the nation, recorded a staggering 200% increase in revenues and an astonishing 718% surge in profits for the previous quarter. Surprisingly, Cal-Maine Foods not only doubled the price of its eggs but also managed to sell more eggs than the previous year. These revelations cast doubt on the existence of a genuine shortage. Furthermore, the company's own reports indicated that none of its facilities had been affected by bird flu.

This evidence suggests a pattern of market manipulation that has spanned at least three decades, with opportunistic exploitation of both genuine crises and media-driven inflation concerns to maximize profits.

The impact of these actions on consumers cannot be understated, particularly for low-income individuals and families who rely on eggs as an affordable source of protein. When the cost of eggs rises by 280%, as was experienced during the recent price spike, it becomes one of the most expensive protein sources, surpassing milk, tuna, and even chicken itself.

The issue of corporate greed and its contribution to inflation is a significant concern. A startling 60% of inflation in recent years can be attributed to increasing corporate profits rather than rising raw material costs or labor wages.

Despite this clear evidence, media coverage, including The New York Times, has failed to address the role of greed and corporate profits in explaining inflation. Articles focus on the need to "cool the economy" through interest rate hikes, avoiding any mention of profit-driven motivations. The Associated Press discusses the gloomy sentiment among Americans caused by inflation's impact on their financial and psychological well-being, while disregarding the influence of corporate greed.

Government agencies have identified corporations chasing record profits as the primary driver of inflation, but mainstream media outlets have failed to give this issue the attention it deserves. Effective solutions to the underlying problem can only be achieved when the public is fully aware of the real cause behind rising prices.

It is clear that corporate media has fallen short in providing comprehensive coverage on this matter, among others. It is crucial for consumers to be properly informed, enabling them to understand and confront the true forces behind inflation and strive for meaningful change in the industry.