As readers know, I love to collect reasons for the sharp increase in food prices that has occurred this year. Here’s a new one: price fixing. Although you might not know it from looking at the similar prices of food products in the same category, price fixing is illegal. Federal prosecutors are apparently looking into price collusion in the tomato industry (according to the Associated Press) and egg industry (Wall Street Journal). Who knew?
I am honored (hugely) to be the recipient of the 2023 Edinburgh Medal, at which I give a speech as part of the Edinburgh Science Festival. My talk, “Food Politics: Why it Matters Now” is at 7:00 p.m. Information about the Science Festival is here. A Tweet announcing my award is here.