Competition Bureau accuses three firms for fixing chocolate prices

Competition Bureau accuses three firms for fixing chocolate pricesThe Competition Bureau in Canada has said that it has filed criminal charges against a total of three firms for fixing price of chocolate confectionery products in the country.

The Competition Bureau is blaming Nestle Canada Inc., Mars Canada Inc. and ITWAL Limited, which is a network of wholesale distributors for conspiring, agreeing or arranging to fix prices of Canadian chocolate products. Fixing prices is a criminal offence under the Competition Act in Canada and the bureau has already filed its charges with the law enforcement agencies.

The bureau has also charged Robert Leonidas, former President of Nestle Canada; Sandra Martinez, former President of Confectionery for Nestlé Canada; and David Glenn Stevens, President and CEO of ITWAL for criminal offense. They face a fine of up to $10 million and/or imprisonment for a term of up to five years under Canadian laws.

John Pecman, Interim Commissioner of Competition said, “We are fully committed to pursuing those who engage in egregious anti-competitive behaviour that harms Canadian consumers. Price-fixing is a serious criminal offence and today's charges demonstrate the Competition Bureau's resolve to stop cartel activity in Canada.”