Attorney General Bonta Announces $1.37 Billion Agreement with Kroger for its Role in Opioid Epidemic

OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced a multistate agreement in principle on monetary terms, requiring grocery chain Kroger to pay $1.37 billion to address its role in the opioid epidemic. Kroger operates in California through a number of subsidiaries, including Ralph’s. Under these terms, Kroger would be required to pay $1.37 billion to participating state and local governments.

“This important agreement is part of our ongoing fight to bring help and healing to California communities harmed by the opioid crisis,” said Attorney General Bonta. “The California Department of Justice has worked aggressively with our coalition partners to hold accountable the corporate giants who fueled this public health crisis. We’ll continue to work to heal our communities and respond to this epidemic from all angles.”

The negotiations in this settlement have been led by California, Colorado, Illinois, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, and Virginia. In addition to the financial terms, a final settlement remains contingent on agreement on critical business practice changes.