The Italian antitrust authority imposes a fine of 10 M € on baby milk producers on the basis of Art. 81 EC after inspections carried out by German, French and Spanish NCAs (Prezzi del latte per l’infanzia - Heinz, Nutricia, Nestlé)

On October 12, 2005 the Italian Antitrust Authority (“IAA”) closed the proceeding started in July 2004 against multinational companies engaged in the production of baby milk. In its final decision, the IAA imposed fines to the following companies: Heinz and Plada (both belonging to the Heinz group); Nutricia and Milupa (“Nutricia group”); Humana and Milte (“Humana group”); Nestlè. The proceeding originated from consumers' complaints about the prices of baby milk that in Italy were much higher than those applied by the same companies in the neighbouring European States. At the end of the investigation, the IAA ascertained the existence of a concerted practice consisting in price fixing. According to the seriousness and the