In an anti-trust settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice announced yesterday, Dean Foods has agreed to sell a Waukesha, Wis. fluid processing plant it had purchased from Foremost Farms USA in 2009.
The concern of the Department of Justice, along with Attorneys General from Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin, was that Dean’s acquisition of the Waukesha plant would eliminate competition and could result in higher milk prices for school districts in the region.
“The divesture of a significant milk processing plant and the provision that requires Dean to notify the department of future milk plant acquisitions [of greater than $3 million] will ensure that competition remains in this important industry,” says Christine Varney, Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division.
Dean Foods will also be required to divest the Gold Guernsey brand name, but will be allowed to retain a fluid processing plant in De Pere, Wis. Sale of the Waukesha plant and Gold Guernsey brand must occur within 90 days.
