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Nutella maker Ferrero has been raided by EU officials as part of an investigation into possible anti-competitive practices.
The Italian family-owned company confirmed on Wednesday that it had been the target of unannounced inspections by EU officials over possible violations of European antitrust rules.
It comes after the European Commission said on Monday it was carrying out inspections at the premises of a chocolate confectionery company in two EU countries.
“Ferrero is aware that on-site inspections are currently taking place at his offices by European Commission officials,” Ferrero said. “The company is fully cooperating and providing the requested information.”
The Commission declined to comment.
Ferrero, which makes Ferrero Rocher and Kinder Bueno, among others, is said to have violated rules prohibiting cartels, restrictive business practices and abuse of a dominant market position.
The Commission said on Monday it is investigating possible restrictions imposed by a manufacturer on the sale of goods within the internal market.
Unannounced inspections were the Commission’s first step in investigating suspected anti-competitive practices, but do not mean they have occurred, the report said.
Ferrero bought US breakfast cereal maker WK Kellogg for $3.1 billion last year as part of its expansion in North America.
The acquisition brought Ferrero’s chocolate and cookie brands, including Rafaello and Butterfinger, under the same roof as cereals such as Kellogg’s Corn Flakes and Froot Loops.
Ferrero was founded in 1946 by Pietro Ferrero, whose grandson Giovanni is executive chairman.
In 2024, the Commission fined Mondelez, Ferrero’s main competitor, €337 million for anti-competitive practices.
The Cadbury and Oreo maker was found to have restricted cross-border trade in chocolate, biscuits and coffee products, breaching EU competition rules.
The activities included limiting where Mondelez distributors could resell their goods and ordering distributors to apply higher prices to exported products.
