Case Description
Plaintiff state filed suit against five of the world?s largest Sorbates producers and some of their affiliated companies. The lawsuit alleged the five Sorbates producers conspired to fix the prices of Sorbates in a conspiracy that began in 1979 and lasted until 1997. Sorbates is the collective name for sorbic acid, potassium sorbate, sodium sorbate and calcium sorbate, which are each used as preservatives in certain food and household products, such as dairy products and shampoos. Illinois? case was brought on behalf of Illinois government agencies and Illinois consumers who purchased food or household products containing Sorbates between January 1, 1979, and December 31, 1997. The defendants agreed to pay $1.61 million, which was distributed to nutrition or fitness programs at financially disadvantaged schools. Case followed DOJ criminal case.
