The Competition Appeal Court rejected an appeal by several dairy groups to have a case of alleged price-fixing against them thrown out, Business Day reported on Tuesday.
The case involves Nestle SA, a unit of the world’s largest food group Nestle, Parmalat, Clover Industries, Ladismith Cheese and Lancewood.
The firms face charges of fixing prices the prices of milk and processed dairy products as well as exchanging information and abusing exclusive supply agreements with producers.
If found guilty, the companies could face penalties of up to 10% of their turnover, the paper reported. The case now moves to hearings at the Competition Tribunal. — Reuters