NEW YORK STATE — New York Attorney General Letitia James issued an alert warning businesses against price gouging of eggs and poultry amid a national bird flu outbreak. The bird flu has affected poultry and dairy farms across the country, causing shortages and driving up prices. New York’s price gouging statute prevents businesses from taking advantage of consumers by selling essential goods or services at an excessively higher price during market disruptions resulting from emergencies like the bird flu outbreak. James urges New Yorkers who see significantly increased prices on eggs or poultry to report the issue to her office. 

In 2021, James secured a settlement with one of the country’s largest producers and wholesalers of eggs, Hillandale Farms Corporation, for illegally price gouging eggs during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of the settlement, Hillandale donated 1.2 million eggs to food pantries throughout New York State, as well as agreeing to refrain from further price gouging.

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