McDonald’s Suing MN Beef Suppliers for Lack of Beef

McDonald’s has filed a lawsuit against four major U.S. beef suppliers, accusing them of artificially inflating beef prices through a scheme dating back to 2015. The companies named in the suit include JBS, Tyson Foods, Cargill, and National Meat Packing. McDonald’s claims these companies have been coordinating to manipulate beef prices by paying less than competitive rates for cattle, which ultimately raises beef prices for consumers.

The lawsuit, filed in Brooklyn federal court on October 4, alleges that these suppliers produce about 85% of the beef in the U.S., giving them significant market control. The lawsuit points to facilities operated by JBS, Tyson, and Cargill, with strong ties to both Iowa and Minnesota, including plants in Albert Lea, Big Lake, Cold Spring, Pipestone, and Worthington in Minnesota, as well as Council Bluffs, Marshalltown, and Ottumwa in Iowa.