MADISON, Wis. – Attorney General Josh Kaul today announced that on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, a consent judgment with Kroger was entered by Dane County Circuit Court, addressing the grocery chain’s role in the opioid crisis. The consent judgment comes after a $1.37 billion settlement agreement was reached with a bipartisan coalition of thirty state attorneys general last fall. Wisconsin will receive $21.8 million for opioid abatement, with payments anticipated to begin this year. This consent agreement brings Wisconsin’s total to more than $780 million in national prescription opiate settlements with distributors, manufacturers, pharmacies, and consultants.
“We’ve begun to turn a corner in the fight against the opioid epidemic, but there’s much more work to do,” said Attorney General Josh Kaul. “These and other funds that we’ve helped to secure will assist Wisconsin communities with this essential work.”
In addition, Kroger has agreed to injunctive relief that requires its pharmacies to monitor, report, and share data about suspicious activity related to opioid prescriptions.
Kroger operates more than 100 grocery stores across Wisconsin under its own name and its subsidiaries, which include Harris Teeter, Dillons, Fred Meyer, Smith’s Food and Drug, Ralphs, King Soopers, Fry’s, QFC, City Market, Jay C, Pay Less, Baker’s, Gerbes, Pick ‘n Save, Metro Market, and Mariano’s.
You can read the consent judgment between Kroger and the state of Wisconsin here.
