Kamala Harris Unveils Federal Ban on Food Price-Gouging in Campaign Speech

Vice President Kamala Harris has pledged to implement a federal ban on food price-gouging as part of her proposed economic policies if elected president, a move she revealed during a campaign speech on Friday. The proposed ban, which she described as the “first-ever” of its kind, would introduce new penalties for companies that exploit crises to drive up prices unfairly.

FMI and NGA Respond to Harris’ Proposal

Harris’ proposal has sparked strong reactions from key industry groups. The Food Industry Association (FMI) responded critically to the claims of price-gouging in the grocery sector. Meanwhile, the National Grocers Association (NGA) has called for more stringent enforcement of the Robinson-Patman Act, an antitrust law designed to prevent price discrimination in commerce.

Per Grocery Dive, Harris argued that a federal ban on grocery price-gouging would foster greater competitiveness within the food industry. She emphasized her administration’s commitment to supporting smaller food businesses that adhere to fair practices, stating that such measures are essential to creating a level playing field.

“We all know that prices went up during the pandemic when the supply chains shut down and failed, but our supply chains have now improved and prices are still too high … Many of the big food companies are seeing their highest profits in two decades, and while many grocery chains pass along these savings, others still aren’t,” Harris said during her speech.

Related: Gov. Moore: Kamala Harris’s Antitrust Policies Would Boost Competition

Consumer Concerns Amid Slowing Inflation

Harris’ remarks come at a time when grocery inflation has shown signs of slowing. According to Grocery Dive, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that food-at-home prices rose at a 1.1% annual rate in July, while overall inflation increased by 2.9%, the lowest annual rate since March 2021. Despite this slowdown, consumers remain concerned about the persistently high cost of groceries.

Harris, who previously served as California’s attorney general, drew on her experience prosecuting companies for illegal price hikes. “So believe me, as president, I will go after the bad actors,” she asserted, underscoring her commitment to taking on corporate practices that harm consumers.

Industry Pushback and Alternative Solutions