(IN) - A federal jury in Illinois has ruled in favor of several food manufacturing companies who sued major egg producers over a conspiracy to limit the egg supply in the United States. The jury awarded $17.7 million in damages, which will be tripled under federal law to over $53 million.

The verdict, reached last week in the Northern District of Illinois, concluded that the egg producers engaged in various tactics to manipulate the domestic supply of eggs, thereby inflating prices during the 2000s. The timeframe of the conspiracy was a central point of contention, with jurors ultimately determining that damages occurred between 2004 and 2008.

According to court documents, the egg suppliers involved in the case implemented strategies such as exporting eggs abroad to reduce the overall domestic supply, as well as limiting the number of chickens through measures like cage space restrictions, early slaughter, and flock reduction.

The food manufacturing companies, including Kraft Foods Global, Inc., The Kellogg Company, General Mills, Inc., and Nestle USA, Inc., joined forces as plaintiffs in the lawsuit against the egg producers. This collective effort led to a significant victory, as the jury found that Cal-Maine Foods, Inc., United Egg Producers, Inc., United States Egg Marketers, Inc., and Rose Acre Farms, Inc. were all participants in the price-fixing conspiracy.

"We are extremely grateful for the jury's service and findings," stated Brandon Fox, an attorney representing the food manufacturers. "This was an important case for many reasons, and the jury's award recognizes its significance."

However, the defendants named in the lawsuit have denied the claims put forth by the plaintiffs. Attorneys for the four egg suppliers have not yet responded to the jury's verdict.

One notable egg supplier involved in the case is Rose Acre Farms, previously chaired by John Rust, who is currently running for the U.S. Senate in Indiana. In response to the jury's decision, Rust announced plans to appeal. Meanwhile, Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. has petitioned the court for a ruling in its favor and will be assessing its options, including a potential appeal.

The damages awarded by the jury, which amount to $17.7 million, will be tripled to over $53 million as stipulated by federal antitrust law. The verdict is a significant blow to the egg producers implicated in the conspiracy. Rose Acre Farms, the second-largest egg producer in the U.S., expressed disagreement with the jury's decision and reaffirmed its denial of involvement in any price-fixing conspiracy.

While the attorneys for the egg suppliers named in the lawsuit have not made any statements, representatives of United Egg Producers and United States Egg Marketers have yet to respond to email messages.

The outcome of this case has garnered attention beyond the courtroom, particularly in relation to the political landscape of Indiana. John Rust's opponent, U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, has criticized Rust's stance on the ruling, accusing him of siding with "mega-corporations over the American farmer." In turn, Rust has attacked Banks, alleging that if elected, he would prioritize the interests of large corporations. The political rivalry between the two has intensified, with Banks stating that "Hoosiers aren't going to vote for a crook."

It remains to be seen how this verdict will impact the ongoing legal battles and the political landscape of Indiana. Rust's campaign faces an uphill battle as he challenges Indiana's Secretary of State over a contested state law that could potentially hinder his candidacy for the Republican nomination in the upcoming primary election. Despite the hurdles faced by Rust, the outcome of the egg price-fixing case has undoubtedly added significance to the ongoing political race in Indiana.