OTHER NEWS - May 22, 1996

Judge Gives Tentative OK to ADM Settlement: U.S. District Judge Milton Shadur gave preliminary approval to the $45-million settlement of a civil class-action suit accusing Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. and its competitors of fixing prices for an animal feed supplement that speeds muscle growth. Shadur’s action allows the parties to mail out notices to plaintiffs who have until July 9 to file objections or opt out of the class. The Decatur, Ill.-based food-processing giant had offered $25 million as its share in settling complaints. The other companies would pay $10.2 million each. There are more than 600 plaintiffs in the case, including Ralston Purina Co. and Tyson Foods Inc. ADM’s directors reportedly wanted to settle the case before the government completes its probe into whether ADM and other firms colluded to fix prices on crop-based products.