Americans were told bird flu caused soaring egg prices, then an investigation uncovered these text messages from US egg producers - here's what we know so far

Egg price investigation explained : For millions of Americans, rising egg prices became one of the most visible signs of inflation during the bird flu outbreak. Grocery bills climbed, restaurants added egg surcharges, and consumers were repeatedly told that the shortage was being driven by avian influenza.

Now, a complaint filed by the US Department of Justice and attorneys-general from 17 states alleges that behind the scenes, executives at three major egg producers were privately communicating in ways that helped keep wholesale egg prices elevated during parts of the crisis, as per a report.