Abstract:
"Charges of antitrust violations sets up a courtroom battle between major protein producers and retailers." North Carolina is one of the largest meat producers in the United States. Mount Olive has its Butterball plant with more than 3,000 workers and Smithfield foods in Bladen County hosts a workforce of 4,500. Tourists note Rose Hill-based House of Raeford as the world's largest skillet, capable of handling 360 fryers at one time. By year's end the industry will be locked into a major courtroom battle in Chicago regarding manipulation of prices in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act.