Vitamin companies settle price fixing case

Six vitamin makers have agreed to settle a lawsuit in 21 states, including Nevada, which are accusing them of price fixing.

Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa said Nevada's share of the settlement will come to about $1.7 million. She said her office will propose distributing the money among universities, nonprofit groups and programs dedicated to improving the health and nutrition needs of Nevadans.

The attorney general's office is preparing a proposal for Carson District Judge Mike Griffin which will provide money for a statewide pilot school breakfast program, "Meals on Wheels" programs statewide, UNR and UNLV agricultural science programs and educational and charitable programs for low-income residents, seniors and the homeless.

The six manufacturers were accused of making agreements both fixing prices and allocating sales around the world. The companies are F. Hoffman-LaRoche, BASF and Aventis Ñ all headquartered in Europe Ñ and the Japanese companies Takeda Chemical, Eisai Limited and Daiichi Pharmaceutical. Together, Del Papa said, the companies control more than 80 percent of the world vitamin market and produce vitamins which go into products from chicken feed to milk, cereal and bread as well as pills.