Major Flavor and Fragrance Makers Face US Antitrust Lawsuits Following EU Raid — Retail Bum

Four major U.S. and European flavor and fragrance makers have become the target of a series of lawsuits filed in the U.S. following the results of an E.U. investigation that revealed price fixing.

Two prominent U.S. plaintiff firms have filed a class action lawsuit in a New Jersey federal court, adding to a roster of nine other lawsuits against Swiss companies Givaudan and Firmenich, Germany’s Symrise, and U.S.-based International Flavors & Fragrances.

The investigation, which European Commission inspectors led in collaboration with the U.S. Justice Department and the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority, revealed that the companies conspired to divvy up the production of natural and synthetic ingredients that are used in products such as cosmetics, detergents, and perfumes and engaged in price fixing. The findings came to light following a raid conducted at the offices of Givaudan, Firmenich, and Symrise.

The latest lawsuit against these firms has come from law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan and Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll, who are suing on behalf of a group of businesses, including Crimson Candle Supplies from Texas. Some of the other plaintiffs that are taking the scent manufacturers to court include the Arakansas’ Hanna’s…