The Lindt&Sprüngli group is targeted by the Russian competition authority (FAS). The Swiss chocolate manufacturer is accused of selling in the Eastern European country products of poorer quality than in other markets. The company rejects this, however.
According to the FAS Russia distributed products of several international manufacturers in terms of quality and compositions of “significant deviations” to the in Western Europe, selling products – even though they are sold under the same brand. In addition to the Lindt&Sprüngli chocolate is also the Laundry detergent brands Ariel and Persil are to be affected.
Lindt&Sprüngli, spokeswoman stressed, however, at the request of the news Agency Reuters that “all Lindt products, which are delivered in the Russian Federation, meet the same quality standards as in the Rest of Europe.” All Lindt products would be manufactured in accordance with standardized recipes, “regardless of production location or the country in which they are sold.”
Contentious acid values
The FSA said, meanwhile, that a Test of organic Acid levels in the sold in Russia, Lindt chocolate result in a deviation of 10 to 50 percent compared to “European” products in some of the samples, the FSA have found a deviation of 100 to 220 per cent. At the same time, the information would be conveyed to the packaging to the consumer the impression that it is offered the identical product as in the Western Europe.
“We stand with FAS contact to identify the exact products and determine which specific parameters have been tested,” said the spokeswoman for the Swiss chocolate company. “We are convinced that our activities are in line with the anti-monopoly laws in Russia and are ready to cooperate with the authorities in order to provide the necessary evidence.”
Overall, the FAS issued a warning to five companies – including multi-national companies Procter&Gamble and Henkel are in addition to Lindt&Sprüngli and you are requested within 30 days to take action. So, the manufacturer must either offer the identical products as in the Rest of Europe, or on the packaging, pointing out that it is a matter of equivalent products. (aru/sda)
Created: 06.12.2019, 14:18 PM