Trump Administration Sues California Over Egg Laws

There’s a fresh legal fight over eggs—specifically, who gets to decide how they’re produced and sold. The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against California, arguing that the state’s cage-free egg laws are driving up prices and overstepping federal authority.

California voters passed the laws in 2008 and 2018, requiring all eggs sold in the state to come from cage-free hens. Because California is such a large market, those requirements have influenced egg production across the country. Federal officials say that’s unfair and unconstitutional.

California, on the other hand, says the real issue behind price hikes is avian influenza, not regulation. Since 2022, nearly 175 million birds have been lost to bird flu, disrupting the supply chain. Prices have dropped from record highs earlier this year but are still well above average.

Once again, agricultural producers find themselves in the middle—balancing consumer preferences, disease challenges, and legal uncertainty.

To look at the filing documents, head to: https://www.justice.gov/opa/media/1407446/dl?inline=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery