The European Commission has carried out “anti-trust inspections” at unnamed companies in the non-alcoholic drinks sector.
Brussels said the unannounced visits came amid its concerns the unnamed companies may have broken EU rules.
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A statement announcing the inspections did not detail the location, number or identity of the businesses.
A spokesperson for the European Commission said the EU’s executive arm could not comment further “as per usual practice” and pointed Just Drinks to its statement.
In the announcement, the Commission said it “has concerns that the companies concerned may have violated EU anti-trust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive practices, and abuses of a dominant position”.
It added: “In particular, the Commission is investigating possible restrictions on the trade of goods in the single market and market segmentation. The investigations concern conducts that may potentially still be ongoing and involve several member states.”
Officials for the unnamed member states’ national competition agencies accompanied the Commission on the visits, Brussels said.
Unannounced inspections are a preliminary step the Commission makes into suspected anti-competitive practices.
It says the inspections do not mean the companies are guilty of anti-competitive behaviour, nor do they prejudge the outcome of any investigation.
Under EU law, there is no deadline to complete the inquiries into alleged anti-competitive conduct.
