US President Donald Trump on Friday asked the Justice Department to investigate meat-packing companies over their possible role in driving up beef prices.
Trump, on social media, accused the industry of contributing to the high cost of beef for US consumers "through Illicit Collusion, Price Fixing, and Price Manipulation".
His call for a probe focused on potential antitrust violations comes as soaring beef prices have become a political problem, threatening to undercut his promises to bring down food costs in the US.
The announcement also follows Republican losses in key elections this week, where voters' concerns about the cost of living and Trump's handling of the economy boosted Democrats.
Trump has put beef prices at the centre of his messaging about the cost of living - and food inflation, specifically. But his other recent proposals to lower prices sparked backlash among ranchers.
