( May 11, 2011, 08:55 GMT | Official Statement) -- MLex Summary: Sara Lee, which is involved in a European Commission antitrust investigation into the detergent and personal care product markets, has stated that it has already been fined by the Italian cartel authority, the Spanish competition authority and the German cartel authorities. The company said that it continues to cooperate with relevant regulatory authorities.Competition Law – During the past few years, competition authorities in various European countries and the European Commission have initiated investigations into the conduct of consumer products companies. These investigations usually continue for several years and, if violations are found, may result in substantial fines. In connection with these investigations, Sara Lee’s household and body care business operating in Europe has received requests for information, made employees available for interviews, and been subjected to unannounced inspections by various competition authorities. Sara Lee has been imposed fines in three instances (a €4.0 million fine imposed by the Italian Cartel Authority in the second quarter of 2011; a €3.7 million fine imposed by the Spanish Competition Authorities in the second quarter of 2010; and a €5.5 million fine imposed by the German cartel authorities in February 2008), but no formal charges have been brought against Sara Lee concerning the substantive conduct that is the subject of these other investigations. Our practice is to comply with all laws and regulations applicable to our business, including the antitrust laws, and to cooperate with relevant regulatory authorities....
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