Nestlé still on hook in Canada price-fixing case

Canadian authorities pursuing a price-fixing case against two of the world's biggest sweet makers have dropped their charges against Mars but will continue to prosecute those involving Swiss multinational Nestlé, the Canadian Competition Bureau announced on Thursday. The competition watchdog unveiled the case in 2013. It stems from allegations of price fixing that resulted in a major class-action suit settled by Mars, Nestlé and confectionery specialist Hershey. Because Hershey Canada reported communications with competitors related to the price fixing, authorities recommended lenient treatment for that company, which cooperated with the investigation. It pleaded guilty to a criminal charge of price fixing and was fined $4 million. The competition watchdog initially charged ITWAL Limited, a national network of independent wholesale distributors, and three individuals: Robert Leonidas, the former chief executive of Nestlé Canada; Sandra Martinez, former Nestlé ...