Procter & Gamble has been identified as a target in an ongoing European Union antitrust investigation that also includes Coca-Cola bottlers, according to a report by Bloomberg citing sources familiar with the matter.
The European Commission initiated the probe in March, launching inspections at several companies active in the non-alcoholic beverage sector. Authorities are examining potential breaches of EU competition rules, particularly concerning the restriction of cross-border trade and market allocation practices.
In addition to scrutinizing beverage companies, regulators reportedly questioned an unidentified personal care company—now understood to be Procter & Gamble—about its market practices. While no formal allegations have yet been made, the Commission has issued a detailed questionnaire to P&G and is currently gathering evidence from both competitors and customers.
Companies found guilty of violating EU antitrust laws may face fines of up to 10% of their global annual turnover. Procter & Gamble and the European Commission have not issued public comments in response to the developments.
Earlier reports had confirmed that Coca-Cola bottlers were among those subject to the inspections. Market reaction was swift: shares in Coca-Cola, Unilever, and PepsiCo fell sharply following the Commission’s announcement, reflecting investor concerns about potential regulatory consequences.
The inspections mark a renewed effort by EU authorities to address possible anti-competitive conduct in the consumer goods and beverage sectors, with the aim of preserving market fairness and protecting consumer choice across the bloc.
For more detailed coverage on this investigation and related developments, read our article: Antitrust-Intelligence.com.
