The White House recently announced a new Executive Order directing the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to establish dedicated Food Supply Chain Security Task Forces. The order establishes a federal review framework centered on price fixing, anti-competitive conduct, and foreign ownership within the U.S. food supply network. The directive applies across multiple food and agricultural segments, placing competition and supply network structure within a national and economic security context.
CLICK TO READ THE FACT SHEET: SECURITY RISKS FROM PRICE FIXING AND ANTI-COMPETITIVE BEHAVIOR IN THE FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN
WHICH FOOD SEGMENTS ARE A PRIORITY FOR THIS EXECUTIVE ORDER?
Several food and agricultural segments have been identified for review based on their prior enforcement history and market concentration concerns. These include meat processing, seed production, fertilizer manufacturing, and the production of agricultural equipment. Each specified sector plays a central role in supporting U.S. food production, processing, and distribution capacity.
HOW DOES THE ORDER ADDRESS FOREIGN OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL?
The Executive Order directs the Task Forces to examine whether ownership or control of food-related industries by foreign entities affects competition, pricing behavior, or supply network resilience within the United States. This includes evaluating whether foreign ownership influences market access, supplier concentration, or exposes the U.S. food supply chain to external supply disruptions.
WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS FOR THE FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN SECURITY TASK FORCES?
The Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission Task Forces are required to jointly brief congressional leadership and relevant committee chairs once within 180 days of the order and again within 365 days. These briefings will summarize progress and may include legislative recommendations where permitted by law, while excluding non-public information and details related to active investigations or enforcement actions.
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