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Chocolate Makers Face Sticky Probe

Posted Dec 20, 07 5:25 PM CST in Business 

(Newser) – Following a similar investigation in Canada last month, the Justice Department has launched a probe into possible price-fixing in the US chocolate industry. The suspects form a rich, creamy lineup: M&M maker Mars acknowledged it has been contacted by the DOJ, the Wall Street Journal reports. Nestle, too, says it is aware of the investigation but has not yet been contacted. Other makers declined comment.  

Canadian authorities, meanwhile, are looking into the Canadian divisions of Hershey, Cadbury, Mars, and Nestle. Recent increases in dairy costs have driven up the price of sweets, a source of consternation for major chocolatiers. The scope of the investigation remains unclear, and whether it turns into a criminal investigation depends on what dark, milky secrets it uncovers.

Source Wall Street Journal

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Stacks of different types of large Hershey's chocolate bars are seen on a shelf in a downtown Pittsburgh candy store on Thursday, April 19, 2007. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)   (Associated Press)
An M & M chocolate Christmas display is seen at the entrance of Trang Tien Plaza, a shopping center, in Hoan Kiem district in Hanoi,Vietnam, Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007. (AP Photo/Chitose Suzuki)   (Associated Press)
The Logo of food and drink giant Nestle is seen at its headquarters in Vevey, Switzerland, in this Feb. 22, 2007 file picture. (AP Photo/Keystone, Laurent Gillieron)   (Associated Press)
Hershey's Kisses brand chocolate candies are seen available for sale in bulk in a downtown Pittsburgh candy store on Thursday, April 19, 2007. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)   (Associated Press)
Ten pound bars of milk chocolate are shown at Guittard Chocolate Co. Friday, July 6, 2007, in Burlingame, Calif. Like many battles, this one's being fought block by block. Victory, for whoever prevails,...   (Associated Press)
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Department of Justice • antitrust • chocolate • price fixing • Hershey • Cadbury Schweppes • Nestle


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