Mondelez, the maker of Oreo, Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate and Toblerone, has been slapped with a fine of €337.5 million ($366 million) by the European Union on Thursday (May 23), its ninth-largest antitrust fine. This development comes at a time when food costs are a major concern for European households.&nbsp;

The fine has been imposed for hindering the trade of chocolate, cookies and coffee between European Union countries so that it can keep the prices high.&nbsp;

Mondelez, formerly Kraft, is one of the world's largest producers of chocolate, biscuits and coffee, with revenue of $36 billion last year.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/argentinas-economic-activity-plummets-84-per-cent-in-march-the-steepest-drop-since-2020-724532">Argentina’s economic activity plummets 8.4 per cent in March, the steepest drop since 2020</a>&nbsp;

Mondelez brands also include Philadelphia cream cheese, Ritz crackers, Tuc salty biscuits and Cote d'Or and Milka.&nbsp;

Margrethe Vestager, the EU's competition commissioner, claimed in a statement that Mondelez had illegally limited cross-border sales within the EU to maintain higher prices for its products.&nbsp;

"In today's decision, we find that that Mondelez illegally limited cross-border sales across the EU. Mondelez did so to maintain higher prices for its products to the detriment of consumers,"&nbsp;Vestager said.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/mankind-pharma-rides-indias-pharma-boom-with-a-new-product-campaign-724496">Mankind Pharma rides India's pharma boom with a new product campaign</a>&nbsp;

The practice has "harmed consumers, who ended up paying more for chocolate, biscuits and coffee".&nbsp;

"This case is about price of groceries. It's a key concern to European citizens and even more obvious in times of very high inflation, where many are in a cost-of-living crisis," she added.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Poland-US sign a $960 million agreement&nbsp;

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The investigation by the EU dates back to January 2021. The suspicions had led the bloc's investigators to carry out raids in Mondelez offices across Europe in November 2019.&nbsp;

According to the European Commission, Mondelez "abused its dominant position" in breach of the bloc's rules by restricting sales to other EU countries with lower prices.&nbsp;

As reported by news agency AFP, Mondelez&nbsp;responded by saying the fine related to "historical, isolated incidents, most of which ceased or were remedied well in advance of the commission's investigation".&nbsp;

"Many of these incidents were related to business dealings with brokers, which are typically conducted via sporadic and often one-off sales and a limited number of small-scale distributors developing new business in EU markets in which&nbsp;Mondelez&nbsp;is not present or doesn't market the respective product," it added in a statement.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Mondelez, the maker of Oreo, Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate and Toblerone, has been slapped with a fine of €337.5 million ($366 million) by the European Union on Thursday (May 23), its ninth-largest antitrust fine.

Mondelez, the maker of Oreo, Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate and Toblerone, has been slapped with a fine of €337.5 million ($366 million) by the European Union on Thursday (May 23), its ninth-largest antitrust fine. This development comes at a time when food costs are a major concern for European households. The fine has been imposed for hindering the trade of chocolate, cookies and coffee between European Union countries so that it can keep the prices high. Mondelez, formerly Kraft, is one of the world's largest producers of chocolate, biscuits and coffee, with revenue of $36 billion last year. Also read: Argentina’s economic activity plummets 8.4 per cent in March, the steepest drop since 2020 Mondelez brands also include Philadelphia cream cheese, Ritz crackers, Tuc salty biscuits and Cote d'Or and Milka. Margrethe Vestager, the EU's competition commissioner, claimed in a statement that Mondelez had illegally limited cross-border sales within the EU to maintain higher prices for its products. "In today's decision, we find that that Mondelez illegally limited cross-border sales across the EU. Mondelez did so to maintain higher prices for its products to the detriment of consumers," Vestager said. Also read: Mankind Pharma rides India's pharma boom with a new product campaign The practice has "harmed consumers, who ended up paying more for chocolate, biscuits and coffee". "This case is about price of groceries. It's a key concern to European citizens and even more obvious in times of very high inflation, where many are in a cost-of-living crisis," she added. Watch: Poland-US sign a $960 million agreement × The investigation by the EU dates back to January 2021. The suspicions had led the bloc's investigators to carry out raids in Mondelez offices across Europe in November 2019. According to the European Commission, Mondelez "abused its dominant position" in breach of the bloc's rules by restricting sales to other EU countries with lower prices. As reported by news agency AFP, Mondelez responded by saying the fine related to "historical, isolated incidents, most of which ceased or were remedied well in advance of the commission's investigation". "Many of these incidents were related to business dealings with brokers, which are typically conducted via sporadic and often one-off sales and a limited number of small-scale distributors developing new business in EU markets in which Mondelez is not present or doesn't market the respective product," it added in a statement. (With inputs from agencies)

Dairy Milk, Oreo maker Mondelez slapped with $366mn antitrust fine

There aren't many brands that come to one’s mind when we think of a chocolate biscuit with a vanilla filling had along with a glass of milk apart from Oreos.

Its iconic twist, lick-and-dunk tagline and classic blue packaging have established its place in innumerable childhood recollections globally.

However, Oreo's history is not limited to its delectable flavour. Behind the success of this famous biscuit come&nbsp;clever marketing strategies and cultural adaptation.

In this edition of Flashback Friday we see how this biscuit became a global sensation;&nbsp;making its way to Oreo McFlurries, milkshakes and even cheesecakes.

Early beginnings

In 1912, the National Biscuit Company (later known as Nabisco) sought to broaden its range of cookies.

They present the Oreo, a fresh chocolate sandwich biscuit with a filling of vanilla cream that would contrast the flavours of chocolate.

The biscuit gained popularity fast because to its unique appearance and the taste combination.

However, Oreo was not the first biscuit of its kind. Some sources claimed that Hydrox, which was released by Sunshine Biscuits a few years prior, was the original.

The case is made more intriguing by the historical records suggesting that the founders of Sunshine and Nabisco may have been rival siblings.

Beyond imitation

It would be a disservice to Oreo's inventive spirit to attribute its success to just how similar it is to existing biscuits

Nabisco consistently pushed limits, realising the potential of the sandwich cookie format.

What made Oreos unique was the biscuit's distinctive "snap" attained through a specific baking process.

In order to keep the product brand new and exciting for customers, Oreo also embraced variations, launching flavours including Double Stuf in 1974 and Peanut Butter in 1980.

Marketing magic

The reason behind Oreo's ongoing success is mostly due to its marketing strategies.

The brand has continuously upheld a good and captivating image, from its early days of showcasing quirky characters like "Dunc the Dog" to its present focus on relatable and inclusive advertising campaigns.

In addition to being a global phenomenon, the famous "twist, lick, dunk" ritual—which was made popular by witty commercials—also ingeniously promoted portion control and an original manner to consume the biscuit.

Adapting to a global stage

As Oreo's popularity spread around the globe, Nabisco displayed outstanding cultural awareness.

The company realised that in the global market, a one-size-fits-all strategy would not be effective.

In order to accommodate regional tastes, it introduced regionally distinct flavours, such as matcha in Japan and green tea in China.

Furthermore, marketing efforts were modified to align with various cultural contexts, guaranteeing Oreo's global relevance and connection.

From controversy to collaboration

There have been difficulties along the way for Oreo.

Concerns about the company's sustainability policies and ingredient selection have been raised.

Nevertheless, Nabisco has taken proactive measures to address these worries, including the introduction of healthier choices and the adoption of sustainable sourcing methods.

Furthermore, Oreo has welcomed cooperation, collaborating with other well-known companies like Kit Kat and even releasing co-branded goods, proving its flexibility and ability to change with the times.

There aren't many brands that come to one’s mind when we think of a chocolate biscuit with a vanilla filling had along with a glass of milk apart from Oreos. Its iconic twist, lick-and-dunk tagline and classic blue packaging have established its place in innumerable childhood recollections globally.

There aren't many brands that come to one’s mind when we think of a chocolate biscuit with a vanilla filling had along with a glass of milk apart from Oreos. Its iconic twist, lick-and-dunk tagline and classic blue packaging have established its place in innumerable childhood recollections globally. However, Oreo's history is not limited to its delectable flavour. Behind the success of this famous biscuit come clever marketing strategies and cultural adaptation. In this edition of Flashback Friday we see how this biscuit became a global sensation; making its way to Oreo McFlurries, milkshakes and even cheesecakes. Early beginnings In 1912, the National Biscuit Company (later known as Nabisco) sought to broaden its range of cookies. They present the Oreo, a fresh chocolate sandwich biscuit with a filling of vanilla cream that would contrast the flavours of chocolate. The biscuit gained popularity fast because to its unique appearance and the taste combination. However, Oreo was not the first biscuit of its kind. Some sources claimed that Hydrox, which was released by Sunshine Biscuits a few years prior, was the original. The case is made more intriguing by the historical records suggesting that the founders of Sunshine and Nabisco may have been rival siblings. Beyond imitation It would be a disservice to Oreo's inventive spirit to attribute its success to just how similar it is to existing biscuits Nabisco consistently pushed limits, realising the potential of the sandwich cookie format. What made Oreos unique was the biscuit's distinctive "snap" attained through a specific baking process. In order to keep the product brand new and exciting for customers, Oreo also embraced variations, launching flavours including Double Stuf in 1974 and Peanut Butter in 1980. Marketing magic The reason behind Oreo's ongoing success is mostly due to its marketing strategies. The brand has continuously upheld a good and captivating image, from its early days of showcasing quirky characters like "Dunc the Dog" to its present focus on relatable and inclusive advertising campaigns. In addition to being a global phenomenon, the famous "twist, lick, dunk" ritual—which was made popular by witty commercials—also ingeniously promoted portion control and an original manner to consume the biscuit. Adapting to a global stage As Oreo's popularity spread around the globe, Nabisco displayed outstanding cultural awareness. The company realised that in the global market, a one-size-fits-all strategy would not be effective. In order to accommodate regional tastes, it introduced regionally distinct flavours, such as matcha in Japan and green tea in China. Furthermore, marketing efforts were modified to align with various cultural contexts, guaranteeing Oreo's global relevance and connection. From controversy to collaboration There have been difficulties along the way for Oreo. Concerns about the company's sustainability policies and ingredient selection have been raised. Nevertheless, Nabisco has taken proactive measures to address these worries, including the introduction of healthier choices and the adoption of sustainable sourcing methods. Furthermore, Oreo has welcomed cooperation, collaborating with other well-known companies like Kit Kat and even releasing co-branded goods, proving its flexibility and ability to change with the times.

Flashback Friday: ‘Twist, Lick, Dunk’ - unveiling the sweet story of the Oreo biscuit

Global snack maker Mondelez international is facing a significant corporate boycott in the Nordic region due to its ties with Russia. Major companies across Norway and Sweden have decided to stop selling Mondelez products, including popular brands like Oreo and Toblerone.

Nordic companies boycott mondelez over russian connection

Mondelez International, the renowned global snack maker behind popular brands like Oreo and Toblerone, is grappling with a growing corporate boycott across the Nordic region due to its involvement in Russia, Reuters reported on Monday.

Major players in Norway and Sweden, including airlines, railway groups, hotels, retailers, shipping companies, and even the Norwegian Football Association, have recently announced their decision to stop selling Mondelez products. This boycott poses a significant challenge to Mondelez's local business, prompting the company to seek a meeting with Norwegian government representatives to safeguard its operations in the region.

Boycott Expansion and Govt. Involvement

Leading Nordic companies such as airlines SAS and Norwegian Air, railway group SJ, hotel chain Strawberry, retailer Elkjop, shipping group Fjord Line, and the Norwegian Football Association have joined the boycott, publicly declaring their intention to discontinue the sale of Mondelez products. Mondelez, known for its strong presence in Norway and Sweden through local chocolate manufacturers Freia and Marabou, now faces an uphill battle to retain its market share.

In response to the escalating situation, the Norwegian foreign ministry has announced plans to meet with companies on both sides of the boycott. However, the ministry has refrained from proposing a specific solution, emphasising that it is up to companies and individuals to make independent choices regarding their trade partners. State Secretary Erling Rimestad has&nbsp;underscored the importance of individual decision-making while highlighting that some Western companies divested their Russian assets following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine last year.

Nordic companies' decision to boycott Mondelez stems from an announcement made by Ukraine's National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption earlier this year. The agency blacklisted Mondelez and several other groups for conducting business with sanctions-hit Russia. The move prompted Coop Norge, Norway's second-largest food retailer, to seek guidance from the Norwegian government before making any decision&nbsp;on its association with Mondelez.

Mondelez's Response

Chicago-based Mondelez has vehemently defended its position, stating that it does not sell Russian-made products in Norway. The company asserts that official guidelines should be based on objective criteria that treat all companies equally. Mondelez also clarified that it maintains limited activity in Russia, having halted investments and advertising after the war began last year. The company reaffirmed its commitment to complying with political decisions and sanctions, signaling its willingness to make necessary operational adjustments to ensure full compliance.

Mondelez International finds itself navigating choppy waters as a widening boycott threatens its sales in the Nordic region. With major companies discontinuing Mondelez products and seeking government guidance, the company faces significant challenges ahead. The outcome of the meeting between Mondelez and Norwegian government representatives holds the key to resolving this brewing controversy. As the situation unfolds, stakeholders eagerly await further updates on how Mondelez plans to address the Nordic boycott and safeguard its regional operations.

(With Inputs from Reuters)

Mondelez International, the renowned global snack maker behind popular brands like Oreo and Toblerone, is grappling with a growing corporate boycott across the Nordic region due to its involvement in Russia, Reuters reported on Monday.

Mondelez International, the renowned global snack maker behind popular brands like Oreo and Toblerone, is grappling with a growing corporate boycott across the Nordic region due to its involvement in Russia, Reuters reported on Monday. Major players in Norway and Sweden, including airlines, railway groups, hotels, retailers, shipping companies, and even the Norwegian Football Association, have recently announced their decision to stop selling Mondelez products. This boycott poses a significant challenge to Mondelez's local business, prompting the company to seek a meeting with Norwegian government representatives to safeguard its operations in the region. Boycott Expansion and Govt. Involvement Leading Nordic companies such as airlines SAS and Norwegian Air, railway group SJ, hotel chain Strawberry, retailer Elkjop, shipping group Fjord Line, and the Norwegian Football Association have joined the boycott, publicly declaring their intention to discontinue the sale of Mondelez products. Mondelez, known for its strong presence in Norway and Sweden through local chocolate manufacturers Freia and Marabou, now faces an uphill battle to retain its market share. In response to the escalating situation, the Norwegian foreign ministry has announced plans to meet with companies on both sides of the boycott. However, the ministry has refrained from proposing a specific solution, emphasising that it is up to companies and individuals to make independent choices regarding their trade partners. State Secretary Erling Rimestad has underscored the importance of individual decision-making while highlighting that some Western companies divested their Russian assets following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine last year. Nordic companies' decision to boycott Mondelez stems from an announcement made by Ukraine's National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption earlier this year. The agency blacklisted Mondelez and several other groups for conducting business with sanctions-hit Russia. The move prompted Coop Norge, Norway's second-largest food retailer, to seek guidance from the Norwegian government before making any decision on its association with Mondelez. Mondelez's Response Chicago-based Mondelez has vehemently defended its position, stating that it does not sell Russian-made products in Norway. The company asserts that official guidelines should be based on objective criteria that treat all companies equally. Mondelez also clarified that it maintains limited activity in Russia, having halted investments and advertising after the war began last year. The company reaffirmed its commitment to complying with political decisions and sanctions, signaling its willingness to make necessary operational adjustments to ensure full compliance. Mondelez International finds itself navigating choppy waters as a widening boycott threatens its sales in the Nordic region. With major companies discontinuing Mondelez products and seeking government guidance, the company faces significant challenges ahead. The outcome of the meeting between Mondelez and Norwegian government representatives holds the key to resolving this brewing controversy. As the situation unfolds, stakeholders eagerly await further updates on how Mondelez plans to address the Nordic boycott and safeguard its regional operations. (With Inputs from Reuters)

Sweet diplomacy gone sour: Nordic regions boycott Mondelez over Russian connection

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