Mondelez International, the maker of Cadbury Dairy Milk and Oreo, has been fined a whopping ₹3,039 crore (USD 366 million) by the European Union for anti-competitive practices.
- EU regulators found Mondelez guilty of hindering cross-border sales of chocolate and biscuits within the European Union. This practice artificially inflated prices for consumers.
- The company allegedly aimed to maintain its dominant market position (nearly 20%) by restricting competition.
- The fine comes as Europe grapples with inflation and “shrinkflation” (reduced product quantity for the same price).
Mondelez claims the practices were isolated incidents and were addressed before the EU investigation. The company’s stock price has dipped in response to the news.
This case highlights potential anti-consumer practices by large corporations. It’s a reminder for consumers to be aware of factors affecting product pricing.
Also, read – 467 Indian Food Items Raise Concerns in Europe
