It’s time to crack down.
Complaints of unlawful egg and poultry value gouging in New York State are up greater than 840% in 2025 amid the current hen flu outbreak, in comparison with simply 16 comparable studies made final yr, The Publish has discovered.
The New York Legal professional Basic’s Workplace was hit with 151 complaints about rip off egg costs between Jan. 1 and March 10, a rep from the workplace informed The Publish — with a few of the problematic egg value tags promoting eggs at between $11.99 and $15.99 per dozen.
“It’s always gone on,” lamented Manhattan shopper Sandy Rubin, 62, of the alleged value gouging. “If they can find a reason to raise the prices, they’re gonna do it.”
“I miss eggs,” chimed Turtle Bay resident Bob Kandel, 81. “The little coffee shops have not raised the prices of the egg sandwiches yet, but I’m sure that will change … it’s crazy.”
“I haven’t had eggs in weeks,” added 35-year-old Manhattan resident Sarah Robertson. “I have a toddler, and I’d love to make eggs for her, but out of principle and everything happening politically, I’m not doing that.”
It’s as much as the AG’s workplace to find out whether or not reported value gouging cases are literally in opposition to the legislation or a simply sticker shock — and companies discovered to be value gouging face a penalty of as much as $25,000 per violation.
The workplace has but to concern a single violation for any of the companies reported for egg or poultry value gouging in 2024 and 2025, a rep mentioned.
The worth of eggs has hit a report common of over $5.89 per dozen this month – up from $1.48 in 2020 — and the USDA predicts egg costs will enhance at the very least 41% this yr on prime of the already egg-zagerated costs, The Publish beforehand reported.
“Eggs are an essential grocery staple in households across the state, and New Yorkers should not pay ludicrous amounts just to feed their families,” Legal professional Basic Letitia James mentioned in a press release again in January, warning residents of attainable value gouging amid the outbreak.
The state of affairs has prompted eating places like Denny’s and Waffle Home so as to add surcharges on egg dishes and has even precipitated the value of the traditional bacon egg and cheese sandwich to soar.
Elsewhere, bodegas within the Massive Apple are promoting off “loosie” eggs to those that can’t afford a full carton – which have been noticed at costs as excessive as $19.29 per dozen.
Below state statute, New York distributors, retailers and suppliers are barred from elevating the costs of important items and companies at an “excessively higher price during market disruptions resulting from emergencies,” the legal professional common’s workplace mentioned.
Items and companies protected underneath the legislation embody meals, water, medication, gasoline, mills, batteries, flashlights, resort lodging and transportation.
In 2021, James secured a settlement with Hillandale Farms, one of many nation’s largest egg wholesalers, for value gouging eggs through the coronavirus pandemic. Greater than 1.2 million eggs have been delivered to New York meals pantries consequently.
The current complaints come as 166 million birds throughout the nation have been slaughtered to restrict the unfold of the virus after instances are discovered – and most of these killed being egg-laying chickens.
“The bird flu is affecting poultry farms and causing a national shortage, but this should not be an excuse for businesses to dramatically raise prices,” James added within the January assertion.
“My office is monitoring the situation,” the AG mentioned, “and I am urging New Yorkers to report excessive prices to my office.”
