Case Description
Plaintiff States sought damages and injunctive relief, alleging that defendant vitamin manufacturers unlawfully conspired to fix, raise, maintain or stabilize prices of certain vitamin products in violation of Plaintiff States’ antitrust laws. Parties agreed to a settlement in the amount of $255 million, $30 million of which was designated for affected state agencies. The remainder was placed in a consumer settlement fund for cy pres distribution to fund new programs or existing programs advancing health and nutrition. Defendants were enjoined from violating Plaintiff States’ antitrust laws for a period of 2 years. A separate fund obtained in the private class action cases was used to compensate farmers, food retailers and other businesses that paid higher prices because of the price fixing conspiracy. This case was brought on the heels of a Department of Justice criminal case in which guilty pleas and significant criminal fines were obtained.
