Compliance Radar
Who was sanctioned, and for what?
Fines, court rulings and incidents from Europe and North America: 718 cases from 32 jurisdictions, each with an official source and checked against that source before publication. Filter by country, area of law and sector. Click a chart to drill down one level.
Click a bar to drill down one level.
Where?
by regionAll jurisdictions
What for?
by area of lawAll areas of law
- Competition law €57.9m 51 % · 10 cases
- Capital markets and financial supervision €35.9m 31 % · 2 cases
- Health and safety and employment law €10.6m 9 % · 13 cases
- Bribery and corruption €8.91m 8 % · 1 case
- Consumer protection and online retail €657,549 1 % · 1 case
- Data protection €195,102 0 % · 3 cases
- Environment and sustainability €77,245 0 % · 4 cases
- Whistleblower protection €40,676 0 % · 2 cases
- Other €32,646 0 % · 2 cases
- Supply chain and human rights — 0 % · 3 cases
Who?
by company- Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM) €34.5m 30 % · 1 case
- Amica Chips S.p.A., Pata S.p.A., Preziosi Food S.p.A. €23.3m 21 % · 1 case
- AGROFERT, a.s. €21m 18 % · 1 case
- Synadis Bio, Greenweez (mit Carrefour SA), ITM Entreprises (mit Les Mousquetaires), Les Comptoirs de la Bio €12.7m 11 % · 1 case
- The Scoular Company €8.91m 8 % · 1 case
- Alco Harvesting LLC dba Bonipak Produce Inc. und verbundene Unternehmen €5.22m 5 % · 1 case
- Fünf Wingstop-Filialgesellschaften in Kern County (Inhaber Clinton Lewis) €1.53m 1 % · 1 case
- Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. €1.36m 1 % · 1 case
- McCain Foods (G.B.) Limited €804,320 1 % · 1 case
- Lesy České republiky, s.p. (Lesy ČR) €710,383 1 % · 1 case
- 25 more€3.6m
When?
per quarter, by date of decision| Period | Cases | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Q3 2023 | 0 | — |
| Q4 2023 | 2 | €824,320 |
| Q1 2024 | 1 | €500,000 |
| Q2 2024 | 2 | €55,102 |
| Q3 2024 | 4 | €23.9m |
| Q4 2024 | 1 | €364,172 |
| Q1 2025 | 0 | — |
| Q2 2025 | 2 | €127,314 |
| Q3 2025 | 3 | €614,046 |
| Q4 2025 | 6 | €231,513 |
| Q1 2026 | 4 | €39.8m |
| Q2 2026 | 4 | €36m |
| Q3 2026 | 12 | €11.9m |
41 cases
27 Jan 2026 Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM)ADM: embellished segment results in Nutrition – 40 million USD penalty €34.5m
ADM and former executives had artificially inflated the results of the Nutrition segment through retroactive intra-group rebates and price adjustments in order to show growth targets of 15–20 %. ADM is paying a civil penalty of 40 million USD; two former managers are paying a combined 979,953 USD in disgorgement including interest and 200,000 USD in penalties, while litigation continues against a third.
Intra-group transfer prices and retroactive segment adjustments require independent control when segments are publicly promoted as growth drivers.
- Authority / court
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
- Area of law
- Capital markets and financial supervision · Disclosure and reporting obligations
- Legal basis
- Antifraud-, Reporting-, Buchführungs- und interne Kontrollvorschriften der US-Bundeswertpapiergesetze (Settled Order der SEC)
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Mitigating circumstances
- ADM's cooperation and remedial measures were taken into account
- Liability of senior managers
- Vince Macciocchi: 404,343 USD disgorgement/interest, 125,000 USD penalty, 3-year officer-and-director bar; Ray Young: 575,610 USD disgorgement/interest, 75,000 USD penalty; action against Vikram Luthar pending
Original amount 41,179,953 USD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 27 Jan 2026.
- SEC Charges ADM and Three Former Executives with Accounting and Disclosure Fraud Press release of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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17 Sep 2026 Lesy České republiky, s.p. (Lesy ČR)Lesy ČR: 17.3 million CZK for export ban on wood chips €710,383
From July 2021 to July 2024, the state forestry company contractually prohibited a customer from actively and passively exporting wood chips and logging residues and secured the ban with a right of termination. The Úřad pro ochranu hospodářské soutěže (Czech Office for the Protection of Competition, ÚOHS) considered this a restriction of competition by object under Czech and EU law and imposed 17.268 million CZK (first instance, not final).
State-owned companies are also subject to competition law – have export and resale bans in framework agreements legally reviewed before signing.
Anticompetitive clauses in supply contracts
- Authority / court
- Úřad pro ochranu hospodářské soutěže (ÚOHS)
- Area of law
- Competition law · Cartels and collusion
- Legal basis
- Tschechisches Wettbewerbsgesetz, Art. 101 AEUV (Exportverbot, S0733/2025)
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Mitigating circumstances
- Voluntary termination immediately after proceedings were opened.
- Published
- 17 Sep 2026
Original amount 17,268,000 CZK, converted at the ECB reference rate of 17 Sep 2026.
- Lesy ČR banned wood-chip exports and were imposed a fine of more than CZK 17 million Press release of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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4 Sep 2026 Samworth Brothers LimitedSamworth Brothers: £594,000 after two workers scalded at steam line €691,518
At the Kettleby Foods plant in Melton Mowbray, an employee and a contractor were scalded with hot water while replacing a leaking gasket on an isolation valve of a steam line (burns to 4–5 % and 9 % of their body surface respectively). The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the task had neither been assessed nor documented as a safe system of work, isolation and lock-off procedures had not been applied, fall protection was missing and supervision was inadequate. Following a guilty plea, a fine of £594,000, plus £6,000 compensation for the injured employee, costs and a victim surcharge.
Maintenance on steam and pressure lines requires a written isolation and lock-off procedure that is supervised on site.
Isolating and locking off equipment during maintenance (lockout/tagout)
- Authority / court
- Birmingham Magistrates' Court (Anklage: Health and Safety Executive)
- Area of law
- Health and safety and employment law · Workplace safety and accidents
- Legal basis
- Section 2 Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- final
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Published
- 16 Sep 2026
Original amount 594,000 GBP, converted at the ECB reference rate of 4 Sep 2026.
- Food manufacturing giant fined £594,000 after two workers scalded at Melton Mowbray site (HSE) Press release of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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27 Aug 2026 Maple Lodge Farms Ltd.Poultry processor Maple Lodge Farms: CA$500,000 after CO2 leak without gas detection system €309,578
In March 2024, a CO2 hose on a vacuum mixer ruptured in the deli area of the plant in Brampton; around 16,000 pounds of carbon dioxide escaped and one worker suffered life-threatening injuries. There was no CO2 sensor with an alarm. Following a guilty plea, a fine of CA$500,000 plus a 25 % victim fine surcharge.
Wherever refrigerant or inert gases are used in quantity, a gas detection system is part of the basic equipment.
- Authority / court
- Provincial Offences Court Brampton (Ermittlung: Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development)
- Area of law
- Health and safety and employment law · Workplace safety and accidents
- Legal basis
- Section 25(2)(h) Occupational Health and Safety Act (Ontario)
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- final
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Mitigating circumstances
- Guilty plea; permanently installed CO2 sensor after the incident.
- Published
- 27 Aug 2026
Original amount 500,000 CAD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 27 Aug 2026.
- Carbon Dioxide-Related Injury Results in $500,000 Fine for Brampton Food Manufacturer (Ontario Newsroom, Court Bulletin) Press release of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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27 Aug 2026 Flower bulb business failed to disclose hours of Polish seasonal workers – fine of around 95,600 EUR €95,588
A lily and tulip grower with an average of around 50 (at peak 75) employees, where Polish migrant workers are employed (anonymised in the judgment), was unable to produce sufficient records of hours worked and wages paid for 18 employees for September 2020 to February 2021. The Dutch Minister of Social Affairs and Employment (Minister van Sociale Zaken en Werkgelegenheid) imposed 118,000 EUR in 2024 (112,100 EUR after objection); the North Netherlands District Court (Rechtbank Noord-Nederland) reduced the fine to 95,587.50 EUR, partly because of measures taken and excessively long proceedings.
Companies employing seasonal workers must be able to document hours and wage payments for each person without gaps – missing records are fined separately for each employee.
- Authority / court
- Rechtbank Noord-Nederland (Bußgeld: Minister van Sociale Zaken en Werkgelegenheid / Nederlandse Arbeidsinspectie)
- Area of law
- Health and safety and employment law · Minimum wage and undeclared work
- Legal basis
- Art. 18b Abs. 2 Wet minimumloon en minimumvakantiebijslag (Wml)
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- reduced
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Employees
- 50 to 249
- Mitigating circumstances
- Reduction of 12.5 % for appropriate measures, 5 % for delay and 2,500 EUR for exceeding the reasonable length of proceedings.
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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25 Aug 2026 Elizabeta Promet d.o.o., SolinCroatia: 10,000 EUR against Elizabeta Promet for deliveries without a written contract €10,000
As a buyer with significant bargaining power, the company from Solin purchased agricultural and food products from two suppliers without written contracts. The Agencija za zaštitu tržišnog natjecanja (Croatian Competition Agency, AZTN) considered this an unfair trading practice and, taking mitigating circumstances into account, imposed 10,000 EUR (date = publication).
In food purchasing, the mere absence of written supply contracts is an infringement – a simple contract standard prevents this.
Written form for supply contracts in food purchasing
- Authority / court
- Agencija za zaštitu tržišnog natjecanja (AZTN)
- Area of law
- Competition law · Abuse of market power
- Legal basis
- Zakon o zabrani nepoštenih trgovačkih praksi u lancu opskrbe hranom (ZNTP)
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Mitigating circumstances
- Several mitigating circumstances taken into account
- Published
- 25 Aug 2026
- Provedba ZNTP-a: AZTN kaznio ELIZABETU PROMET d.o.o., Solin s 10.000,00 eura zbog nametanja nepoštenih trgovačkih praksi Press release of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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20 Aug 2026 IPMF LLC (NaturPak)NaturPak: $364,100 proposed after three deaths caused by bursting kettle lids €311,703
At the food plant in Janesville (Wisconsin), the lids of pressurised industrial kettles opened in February and March 2026, scalding workers with steam and hot liquid; three people died. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) proposed a total of $364,100 for both inspections combined, including repeat violations relating to fall protection and lockout/tagout.
After a serious accident, the technical cause must be eliminated immediately – otherwise, as here, a second similar incident may follow.
- Authority / court
- U.S. Department of Labor – Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- Area of law
- Health and safety and employment law · Workplace safety and accidents
- Legal basis
- Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970; 29 CFR 1910 (u. a. Lockout/Tagout, Absturzsicherung, persönliche Schutzausrüstung)
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Repeat case
- yes
- Published
- 20 Aug 2026
Original amount 364,100 USD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 20 Aug 2026.
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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6 Aug 2026 „Чили Хилс Фудс“ ООД (Chili Hills Foods OOD)Chili Hills Foods: 20,022 EUR for false copying allegations against competitor €20,022
From May 2024, in social media videos (campaign ‘Създавай! Не копирай!’), the company falsely accused a competing family business for hot chillies of having stolen its business, ideas and concept, and promoted the clips partly through paid advertising. The Комисия за защита на конкуренцията (Bulgarian Commission for the Protection of Competition, KZK) regarded this as unfair damage to reputation (Art. 30 ZZK – Bulgarian Protection of Competition Act), imposed 4% of 2025 net turnover (500,555 EUR), i.e. 20,022 EUR, and ordered immediate cessation. Appeals have been lodged against the decision.
Allegations against competitors on social media are only permissible if based on verifiable facts – paid reach aggravates the sanction.
Statements about competitors on social media
- Authority / court
- Комисия за защита на конкуренцията (КЗК, Bulgarische Wettbewerbskommission)
- Area of law
- Competition law
- Legal basis
- Art. 30 ZZK (Schädigung des guten Rufs eines Wettbewerbers)
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- under appeal
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Published
- 19 Aug 2026
- КЗК Публичен електронен регистър – Производство (Решение № 743 от 06.08.2026; Volltext als PDF im Register) Official register or notice
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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3 Aug 2026 Zhengzhou Synear Food Co., Ltd.UFLPA list: frozen food manufacturer Zhengzhou Synear Food added Order
The U.S. Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force (FLETF) added the frozen food manufacturer to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Entity List because it works with the Xinjiang government to take in Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz or members of other persecuted groups under state labour transfer programmes. The company's goods are therefore presumed to have been produced with forced labour on import into the US unless the importer rebuts this.
Food importers should also check suppliers outside Xinjiang for involvement in state labour transfer programmes.
- Authority / court
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force)
- Area of law
- Supply chain and human rights · Forced and child labour
- Legal basis
- Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, Section 2(d)(2)(B)(ii)
- Action
- Order
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Published
- 3 Aug 2026
- Federal Register: Notice Regarding the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List (03.08.2026) Official register or notice
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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17 Jul 2026 The Scoular CompanyAgricultural trader Scoular pays 10 million USD over bribes to Mexican border officials €8.91m
From 2013 to 2019, Scoular had customs brokers pay around 400,000 USD to Mexican border and inspection officials so that trains carrying contaminated maize and grain would pass inspections; some of the money went to individuals close to cartels. Three-year DPA with a criminal penalty of 9,769,521 USD and forfeiture of 414,351 USD.
Customs agents and freight forwarders are high-risk third parties: question conspicuous flat fees per shipment, even if they appear to be customary charges.
Facilitation payments via customs agents and logistics service providers
Missing or inadequate training played a role in the decision.
- Authority / court
- U.S. Department of Justice (Criminal Division, Fraud Section; USAO Western District of Texas)
- Area of law
- Bribery and corruption · Bribery of public officials
- Legal basis
- FCPA (Verschwörung zur Verletzung der Anti-Bestechungsvorschriften); Deferred Prosecution Agreement
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- final
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Culpability
- intentional
- Mitigating circumstances
- Cooperation and remediation (including an overhaul of compliance, third-party management, financial controls and anti-corruption training); 25 % reduction off the low end of the sentencing guidelines range.
- Liability of senior managers
- The customs broker Carlos Leopoldo Alvelais has pleaded guilty.
- Published
- 17 Jul 2026
Original amount 10,183,872 USD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 17 Jul 2026.
- Agricultural Company to Pay Over $10M to Resolve Foreign Bribery Case Press release of an authority
- Deferred Prosecution Agreement, United States v. The Scoular Company, 3:26-cr-01685-KC (W.D. Tex.), filed 07/17/26 Decision of an authority
- DOJ Criminal Division: United States v. The Scoular Company (Fallseite) Enforcement database of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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17 Jul 2026 Puratos LimitedPuratos: 120,000 GBP for flour dust above exposure limits and heavy sack handling €141,014
During an inspection in December 2024, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found dust escaping from machinery, blowing down with compressed air and dry sweeping at the bakery ingredients factory; measurements confirmed that workplace exposure limits had been exceeded, with a risk of asthma. In addition, employees lifted 25 kg sacks by hand every day. The site had already been cited in 2021 for the same deficiencies; fine of 120,000 GBP plus 6,270 GBP in costs.
Companies that do not permanently remedy deficiencies after a citation pay significantly more the next time – flour dust is a recognised cause of asthma.
Dust exposure and lifting heavy loads
- Authority / court
- Health and Safety Executive (Milton Keynes Magistrates' Court)
- Area of law
- Health and safety and employment law · Workplace safety and accidents
- Legal basis
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, s. 2(1)
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- final
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Repeat case
- yes
- Published
- 20 Jul 2026
Original amount 120,000 GBP, converted at the ECB reference rate of 17 Jul 2026.
- Food manufacturer fined £120,000 after workers exposed to hazardous dust and manual handling risks Press release of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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15 Jul 2026 Vanilla Chip LLC (TruHeight)TruHeight: FTC settlement over allegedly fake reviews for growth supplement €657,549
According to the FTC, employees of the dietary supplement provider wrote thousands of five-star reviews, customers received free products or discounts in return for five-star reviews, and bot profiles posed as real users; in addition, there were unsubstantiated growth claims for children and adolescents. The final settlement order provides for a judgment of 4 million USD, which is partially suspended on account of limited ability to pay after payment of 750,000 USD.
Reviews by employees or reviews rewarded for positive star ratings are prohibited and, since 2024, subject to civil penalties.
Fake and purchased customer reviews
- Authority / court
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
- Area of law
- Consumer protection and online retail · Fake reviews
- Legal basis
- Section 5 FTC Act; FTC Rule on the Use of Consumer Reviews and Testimonials
- Action
- Disgorgement of profits
- Status of proceedings
- final
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Mitigating circumstances
- Partial suspension of the judgment on account of limited ability to pay.
- Liability of senior managers
- The co-founders and co-CEOs Eden Stelmach and Justin Rapoport are personally parties to the order.
- Published
- 15 Jul 2026
Original amount 750,000 USD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 15 Jul 2026.
- FTC Takes Action Against TruHeight for Deceptive, Unsubstantiated Advertising Press release of an authority
- FTC Approves Final Order Against TruHeight (15.07.2026) Press release of an authority
- FTC Case: TruHeight (Vanilla Chip LLC), Docket C-4837, Final Decision and Order Enforcement database of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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15 Jul 2026 Colonial Farms Ltd.Colonial Farms: CFIA administrative monetary penalty of 11,000 CAD under SFCR s. 88 €6,852
On 15 July 2026, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) imposed an administrative monetary penalty of 11,000 CAD on the company in Western Canada for a violation of s. 88 of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations. An earlier penalty under the same provision from May 2025 was set aside in review proceedings.
Companies that do not eliminate the cause after a first penalty risk repeat penalties and stricter supervision.
- Authority / court
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
- Area of law
- Other
- Legal basis
- Safe Food for Canadians Regulations, s. 88
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- final
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
Original amount 11,000 CAD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 15 Jul 2026.
- CFIA – Administrative monetary penalties (Notices of violation) Enforcement database of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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22 May 2026 Parrish & Heimbecker, Limited; GrainsConnect Canada Operations Inc.Canada: grain elevator must be sold in the takeover of GrainsConnect Order
The planned acquisition of GrainsConnect by Parrish & Heimbecker would have reduced competition for the purchase of wheat from farmers around Reford (Saskatchewan). The Competition Bureau reached an agreement under which P&H must divest the grain elevator in Reford to an approved buyer and continue to operate it normally until then.
Merger control also has local effects: even a single site can trigger a divestiture requirement.
- Authority / court
- Competition Bureau Canada (Consent Agreement beim Competition Tribunal)
- Area of law
- Competition law · Merger control
- Legal basis
- Competition Act (Kanada), Fusionskontrolle
- Action
- Order
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Published
- 22 May 2026
- Competition Bureau reaches agreement to protect competition for grain farmers in Saskatchewan Press release of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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7 May 2026 Duncan Farms LimitedDuncan Farms: 53,000 GBP because a worker was caught in an unguarded conveyor €61,335
In October 2024, an employee of the egg producer climbed between two running manure conveyors to check a noise and was caught at the in-running nip; he suffered nerve damage to both arms. The drive had no fixed or interlocked guards – instruction and clothing rules alone were not sufficient. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecution resulted in a fine of 53,000 GBP.
Instruction is no substitute for technical safeguards: in-running nips must be protected by fixed or interlocked guards.
Stopping machinery before intervening
- Authority / court
- Health and Safety Executive (Aberdeen Sheriff Court)
- Area of law
- Health and safety and employment law · Workplace safety and accidents
- Legal basis
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, reg. 11(1) und (2); Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, s. 33(1)(c)
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- final
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Published
- 13 May 2026
Original amount 53,000 GBP, converted at the ECB reference rate of 7 May 2026.
- Egg farm fined after worker trapped in running conveyor machinery Press release of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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28 Apr 2026 Amica Chips S.p.A., Pata S.p.A., Preziosi Food S.p.A.Italy: 23.3 million EUR against Amica Chips, Pata and Preziosi Food over snack cartel €23.3m
In a secret, continuing agreement, three manufacturers of salty snacks and crisps divided up among themselves the supply of private-label snacks to food retailers. Fines: Amica Chips 8,239,210 EUR, Pata 7,555,387 EUR, Preziosi Food 7,503,550 EUR; this was the first time Italy's competition authority (Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato, AGCM) applied its settlement procedure.
Retailers' tenders for private labels are competition – coordinated sham bids to retailers constitute a cartel.
Sham bids in retailers' private-label tenders
- Authority / court
- Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM)
- Area of law
- Competition law · Cartels and collusion
- Legal basis
- Art. 101 AEUV; Art. 14-quater Gesetz 287/1990 (Settlement)
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Mitigating circumstances
- Leniency reduction for Pata and Amica Chips; 10 % settlement discount for all
- Published
- 28 Apr 2026
- I871 - The Italian Competition Authority fines Amica Chips, Pata and Preziosi Food over €23 million Press release of an authority
- AGCM - Sanzioni per oltre 23 milioni di euro ad Amica Chips, Pata e Preziosi Food Press release of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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16 Apr 2026 Synadis Bio, Greenweez (mit Carrefour SA), ITM Entreprises (mit Les Mousquetaires), Les Comptoirs de la BioFrance: 12.67 million EUR over allocation of distribution channels for organic food €12.7m
Through the association Synadis Bio, market participants ensured for more than seven years that organic brands were not sold simultaneously in specialist organic shops and in conventional supermarkets, in order to prevent price comparisons (decision 26-D-05). Fines: Synadis Bio 10 million EUR, Greenweez/Carrefour 1.85 million EUR, ITM 740,000 EUR, Les Comptoirs de la Bio 80,000 EUR.
Association decisions that tie members to particular distribution channels amount to market sharing – even if they are justified as a quality or positioning policy.
Association rules to foreclose distribution channels
- Authority / court
- Autorité de la concurrence
- Area of law
- Competition law · Cartels and collusion
- Legal basis
- Art. L.420-1 Code de commerce, Art. 101 Abs. 1 AEUV; Bußgeldbemessung nach Art. L.464-2 Code de commerce
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- under appeal
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Published
- 16 Apr 2026
- L'Autorité de la concurrence sanctionne à hauteur de 12,67 millions d'euros (Entscheidung 26-D-05) Press release of an authority
- Décision 26-D-05 (version publique) Decision of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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12 Feb 2026 Peter the Chef Fine Food LimitedPeter the Chef Fine Food: four CFIA penalties totalling 41,600 CAD (food safety) €25,794
On a single day, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) imposed four administrative monetary penalties on the food manufacturer in Ontario under the Safe Food for Canadians Act (s. 17(1)) and the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (ss. 49, 88, 90(1)): 13,000, 11,000, 11,000 and 6,600 CAD, totalling 41,600 CAD.
Preventive controls and documentation under food safety law are sanctioned individually – several gaps quickly add up.
- Authority / court
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
- Area of law
- Other
- Legal basis
- Safe Food for Canadians Act, s. 17(1); Safe Food for Canadians Regulations, ss. 49, 88, 90(1)
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- final
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
Original amount 41,600 CAD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 12 Feb 2026.
- CFIA – Administrative monetary penalties (Notices of violation) Enforcement database of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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4 Feb 2026 Alco Harvesting LLC dba Bonipak Produce Inc. und verbundene UnternehmenBonipak: $6.175 million for farmworkers over undisclosed paid sick leave €5.22m
Following the COVID death of a farmworker in employer-provided housing, the California Labor Commissioner's Office sued the agricultural business in Santa Maria in 2021: more than 10,000 farmworkers, including H-2A seasonal workers, had not been informed of their entitlement to paid sick leave; in addition, there was unpaid travel time as well as overtime and minimum wage violations. The settlement of $6,175,000 (of which $4.2 million goes directly to workers) includes posting and reporting obligations.
Information obligations towards seasonal workers are not a formality – companies that leave workers in the dark about paid sick leave are liable for the consequences.
- Authority / court
- California Labor Commissioner's Office (Division of Labor Standards Enforcement)
- Area of law
- Health and safety and employment law · Minimum wage and undeclared work
- Legal basis
- California Labor Code (Paid Sick Leave, COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave, Mindestlohn, Überstunden)
- Action
- Other
- Status of proceedings
- final
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Published
- 4 Feb 2026
Original amount 6,175,000 USD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 4 Feb 2026.
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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29 Jan 2026 Finca Monte GrandeCBP stops coffee from Mexican Finca Monte Grande over forced labour Order
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a Withhold Release Order: coffee from Finca Monte Grande (Mexico) is being detained at all US ports of entry because there are indications of forced labour (ILO indicators including debt bondage, withholding of wages, retention of identity documents and excessive overtime).
Importers of agricultural commodities should be able to check working conditions down to plantation level; otherwise they face detention at the border.
- Authority / court
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- Area of law
- Supply chain and human rights · Forced and child labour
- Legal basis
- 19 U.S.C. § 1307 (Tariff Act of 1930, Section 307)
- Action
- Order
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Published
- 29 Jan 2026
- CBP issues WRO against Finca Monte Grande Press release of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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18 Dec 2025 Pioneer Hi-Bred Italia Sementi s.r.l.Pioneer Hi-Bred Italia Sementi: 120,000 EUR for monitoring field staff's driving style €120,000
At the instruction of a group company based in Switzerland, the seed company had telematics devices installed in company cars that also recorded private journeys and assigned employees scores for their driving behaviour. Italy's data protection authority (Garante per la protezione dei dati personali) found breaches of transparency, purpose limitation, data minimisation and employee protection rules, imposed 120,000 EUR and ordered the deletion of the data on private journeys.
Group-wide telematics requirements must be assessed against local employment and data protection law before roll-out – especially where vehicles are also used privately.
Employee monitoring through telematics
- Authority / court
- Garante per la protezione dei dati personali
- Area of law
- Data protection · Employee data
- Legal basis
- DSGVO Art. 5 Abs. 1 lit. a-c, 6 Abs. 1 lit. f, 13, 28, 88; Codice privacy Art. 2-quaterdecies, 113, 114
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- final
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Mitigating circumstances
- Small number of data subjects (five employees), immediate suspension of the processing.
- Provvedimento del 18 dicembre 2025 [10213711] (Reg. 755/2025) Decision of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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17 Dec 2025 Asparagus farm without reliable working time records: Raad van State upholds 11,250 EUR €11,250
In May/June 2022, the working time records of an asparagus business (anonymised in the judgment) deviated structurally from the hours actually worked; among other things, Sunday work went unrecorded, so compliance with working and rest times could not be checked. The Administrative Jurisdiction Division of the Dutch Council of State (Raad van State, Afdeling bestuursrechtspraak) upheld the fine of 11,250 EUR, imposed in 2023 without prior warning, including the increase factor of 1.5.
Working time records that do not reflect actual hours are treated as missing – businesses are then sanctioned without prior warning.
Correct recording of working and rest times
- Authority / court
- Raad van State, Afdeling bestuursrechtspraak (Bußgeld: Minister van Sociale Zaken en Werkgelegenheid)
- Area of law
- Health and safety and employment law · Working time
- Legal basis
- Art. 4:3 Abs. 1 Arbeidstijdenwet
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- final
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Raad van State, ECLI:NL:RVS:2025:6142 vom 17.12.2025 Court decision
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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17 Dec 2025 Greencore Group plcGreencore/Bakkavor: takeover only with sale of sauce plant in Bristol Order
In the planned acquisition of the food manufacturer Bakkavor, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) found a substantial lessening of competition in chilled own-label sauces for UK supermarkets. It cleared the merger only because Greencore undertook to sell its entire chilled soups and sauces plant in Bristol, including its employees, to a pre-determined purchaser.
Even overlaps in small product segments can hold up an entire acquisition – prepare remedies early.
- Authority / court
- Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)
- Area of law
- Competition law · Merger control
- Legal basis
- Enterprise Act 2002, s. 73(2) (Undertakings in lieu of reference)
- Action
- Order
- Status of proceedings
- final
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Published
- 18 Dec 2025
- CMA case page: Greencore / Bakkavor merger inquiry Official register or notice
- CMA: Decision on acceptance of undertakings in lieu of reference (ME/2257/25), 17.12.2025 Decision of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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11 Nov 2025 Devro (Scotland) LimitedDevro (Scotland): 48,000 GBP fine for discharging industrial wastewater into burn €58,610
In July 2021, a blockage in the foul sewer at the Moodiesburn plant (collagen casings for sausages) caused untreated industrial wastewater to back up into the surface water system, polluting the Bothlin Burn with ammonia and organic load. The company pleaded guilty on 11 November 2025; on 24 March 2026, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) reported a fine of 48,000 GBP plus a 3,600 GBP victim surcharge.
On-site drainage needs monitoring and maintenance so that faults in the foul sewer do not reach watercourses via surface water pipes.
- Authority / court
- Airdrie Sheriff Court (Ermittlungen: SEPA, Anklage: Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service)
- Area of law
- Environment and sustainability · Emissions and permits
- Legal basis
- Regulations 4 und 44(1)(a) Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011; Section 20(3)(a) Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Published
- 24 Mar 2026
Original amount 51,600 GBP, converted at the ECB reference rate of 11 Nov 2025.
- Sausage casing firm fined £48,000 for polluting North Lanarkshire burn with industrial effluent Press release of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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22 Oct 2025 Gate GourmetTribunal: Gate Gourmet files no response – £20,000 to whistleblower €23,018
Because Gate Gourmet failed to file a response to the claim despite repeated requests, the Manchester Employment Tribunal found that there had been detriment on grounds of a protected disclosure and in January 2026 awarded £15,000 for loss of earnings and £5,000 for injury to feelings. An application for reconsideration, based on an email inbox that was no longer monitored, was refused.
Correspondence from authorities and courts must go to monitored addresses – missed deadlines turn a defensible claim into a default judgment.
Managing deadlines and incoming mail in litigation
- Authority / court
- Employment Tribunal
- Area of law
- Whistleblower protection · Retaliation against whistleblowers
- Legal basis
- Employment Rights Act 1996, s. 47B (Benachteiligung wegen geschützter Offenlegung); Employment Tribunal Procedure Rules 2024, Rule 22
- Action
- Other
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Published
- 7 Jan 2026
Original amount 20,000 GBP, converted at the ECB reference rate of 22 Oct 2025.
- Mr S Farrell v Gate Gourmet: 2401441/2024 Court decision
- Mr S Farrell v Gate Gourmet: 2401441/2024 – Urteil (PDF) Court decision
- Mr S Farrell v Gate Gourmet: 2401441/2024 – Judgment (Rule 22), 22.10.2025 Court decision
- Mr S Farrell v Gate Gourmet: 2401441/2024 – Reconsideration Court decision
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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8 Oct 2025 Manor Farm Dairy LtdManor Farm Dairy: fine after slurry overflow into stream near Dorchester €18,635
In March 2024, cattle slurry ran from the dairy farm's lagoons into a stream, seriously damaging it over more than 2 km, with effects up to 4.5 km downstream. The court imposed a fine of 6,000 GBP (reduced from 9,000 GBP because of an early guilty plea) and 10,158.50 GBP in costs; the Environment Agency described the incident as avoidable.
Farms must maintain sufficient slurry storage capacity and monitor lagoons.
- Authority / court
- Taunton Magistrates' Court (Anklage: Environment Agency)
- Area of law
- Environment and sustainability · Emissions and permits
- Legal basis
- Regulations 12(1)(b) und 38(1)(a) Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Culpability
- negligent
- Mitigating circumstances
- Early guilty plea (fine reduced from 9,000 to 6,000 GBP).
- Published
- 13 Oct 2025
Original amount 16,158.5 GBP, converted at the ECB reference rate of 8 Oct 2025.
- Manor Farm Dairy in Dorset fined for slurry polluting river Press release of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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4 Sep 2025 Midri, Inc. (Restaurant J BBQ, Los Angeles)Restaurant J BBQ: 680,238 USD – breaks denied, split shifts without premium €584,046
The Koreatown restaurant regularly denied 48 employees meal and rest breaks, required them to remain available for guests even during the lunch break, did not pay split-shift premiums and did not pay all wages. The California Labor Commissioner’s Office imposed 680,238 USD, of which 538,638 USD for the benefit of the employees.
In the restaurant trade, breaks must be actively scheduled and documented – being on call for guests during the break turns it into working time.
Break arrangements in the restaurant trade
- Authority / court
- California Labor Commissioner's Office (Division of Labor Standards Enforcement)
- Area of law
- Health and safety and employment law · Working time
- Legal basis
- California Labor Code (Meal and Rest Periods, Split Shift Premium, Lohnabrechnung)
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Liability of senior managers
- Owner Byung Kwan Lee named in the announcement.
Original amount 680,238 USD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 4 Sep 2025.
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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26 Aug 2025 Acqua Minerale San Benedetto S.p.A.AGCM: San Benedetto removes ‘CO2 neutral’ claim on Ecogreen bottles Other
Labels, the website and commercials for the Ecogreen line claimed that bottle production caused no greenhouse gas emissions and even had a positive effect on the environment. Following an intervention by Italy's competition and consumer protection authority (Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato, AGCM) (moral suasion, case PS12596), the mineral water producer removed the claim ‘impatto zero CO2’ in mid-July 2025, revised nature motifs and added a QR code linking to sustainability information.
‘Zero emissions’ promises on packaging can hardly be substantiated; it is better to present specific reduction steps transparently.
Climate claims on packaging
- Authority / court
- Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM)
- Area of law
- Environment and sustainability · Misleading environmental and sustainability claims
- Legal basis
- Codice del Consumo (unlautere Geschäftspraktiken), Verfahren PS12596
- Action
- Other
- Status of proceedings
- final
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Mitigating circumstances
- Voluntary amendment of all labels and advertising materials following the authority's intervention.
- Published
- 26 Aug 2025
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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13 Aug 2025 Portugal: 30,000 EUR for exclusive tying of banana growers on Madeira €30,000
A dominant company for the collection, distribution and marketing of Madeira bananas (name not given) required producers to sign exclusivity declarations. In a settlement procedure (PRC/2025/6), it ended the practice and paid 30,000 EUR (date = press release).
Dominant buyers must not tie suppliers through exclusivity clauses – even small regional markets are being watched.
- Authority / court
- Autoridade da Concorrência (AdC)
- Area of law
- Competition law · Abuse of market power
- Legal basis
- Lei da Concorrência (Lei n.º 19/2012), Art. 11.º; Art. 102 AEUV
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- final
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Mitigating circumstances
- Settlement (transação), full cooperation, immediate cessation, short duration
- Published
- 13 Aug 2025
- AdC sanciona empresa por abuso de posição dominante na comercialização de banana da Madeira Press release of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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2 May 2025 Ατλάντα Αντιπροσωπείαι – Διανομαί Α.Ε.Greece: 127,314 EUR against breakfast cereal distributor Atlanta for resale price maintenance €127,314
From March to August 2021, the distribution partner for breakfast cereals set resale prices, which retailers and supermarket chains largely adopted. The Επιτροπή Ανταγωνισμού (Hellenic Competition Commission) accepted the settlement proposal and, by Decision 878/2025, imposed a reduced fine of 127,314 EUR; date = press release.
Even short periods of imposing prices on retailers carry fines – sales teams must know the line between recommendation and requirement.
Resale price maintenance towards retailers
- Authority / court
- Επιτροπή Ανταγωνισμού (Hellenic Competition Commission)
- Area of law
- Competition law · Cartels and collusion
- Legal basis
- Art. 1 Gesetz 3959/2011; Art. 101 AEUV
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Mitigating circumstances
- Settlement procedure with fine reduction
- Published
- 2 May 2025
- Δελτίο Τύπου – Πρόστιμο σε επιχείρηση η οποία διακινεί δημητριακά πρωινού κατόπιν Διαδικασίας Διευθέτησης Διαφορών Press release of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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3 Apr 2025 Taepyung Salt FarmCBP import stop for sea salt from South Korea's Taepyung Salt Farm Order
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a Withhold Release Order: sea salt products from Taepyung Salt Farm (South Korea) are being detained at all US ports of entry because there are indications of forced labour (ILO indicators including physical violence, debt bondage, deception, restriction of movement and withholding of wages (ten indicators)).
Food manufacturers should also include inconspicuous ingredients such as salt in their forced labour risk analysis.
- Authority / court
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- Area of law
- Supply chain and human rights · Forced and child labour
- Legal basis
- 19 U.S.C. § 1307 (Tariff Act of 1930, Section 307)
- Action
- Order
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Published
- 3 Apr 2025
- CBP issues Withhold Release Order on Taepyung Salt Farm Press release of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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19 Nov 2024 Valenti's Bakery LLCNew Jersey bakery: $385,221 because deficiencies remained after finger amputation €364,172
Following the partial amputation of two fingers on an automatic blade, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) had inspected the bakery in Paterson in June 2023; at the follow-up inspection in May 2024, lockout/tagout procedures were still missing, and in addition exit routes were blocked and fall edges unprotected. Proposed: $385,221 (including failure to abate, 2 wilful and 1 repeat violation).
Follow-up inspections are the rule – companies that do not remedy cited deficiencies must expect additional penalties for failure to abate.
- Authority / court
- U.S. Department of Labor – Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- Area of law
- Health and safety and employment law · Workplace safety and accidents
- Legal basis
- 29 CFR 1910.147 (Lockout/Tagout), 1910.37 (Fluchtwege), 1910.212 (Maschinenschutz)
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Culpability
- intentional
- Repeat case
- yes
- Published
- 19 Nov 2024
Original amount 385,221 USD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 19 Nov 2024.
- Department of Labor fines New Jersey bakery $385K after inspectors find workers still exposed to safety hazards (OSHA) Press release of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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18 Sep 2024 AGROFERT, a.s.AGROFERT: 21 million EUR for concealed takeover of two large bakeries upheld €21m
In 2013, AGROFERT acquired control of the bakeries PRVÁ BRATISLAVSKÁ PEKÁRENSKÁ and PEZA, but had the Žilina bakery held covertly by a third party for two years in order to circumvent the notification threshold – the authority had rejected an earlier takeover in 2011. The Council of the Protimonopolný úrad Slovenskej republiky (Antimonopoly Office of the Slovak Republic, PMÚ SR) upheld the fine of 21 million EUR; final since 27 September 2024.
Staggered acquisitions or acquisitions concealed via third parties are aggregated – circumvention structures increase the fine.
- Authority / court
- Protimonopolný úrad Slovenskej republiky (PMÚ SR)
- Area of law
- Competition law · Merger control
- Legal basis
- Slowakisches Wettbewerbsschutzgesetz (Nichtanmeldung und Vollzug eines Zusammenschlusses)
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- final
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Culpability
- intentional
- Published
- 8 Oct 2024
- Rada PMÚ potvrdila 21-miliónovú pokutu za neoznámenie koncentrácie a jej predčasnú implementáciu Press release of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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16 Sep 2024 Fünf Wingstop-Filialgesellschaften in Kern County (Inhaber Clinton Lewis)Wingstop franchisee: 1.7 million USD – overtime evaded by splitting up companies €1.53m
The franchisee ran five Wingstop outlets in Bakersfield as separate companies and deployed employees at several locations on the same day. As a result, they lost out on overtime premiums after eight hours a day or 40 hours a week, premiums for missed meal breaks, paid travel time and the higher minimum wage for larger employers; the settlement of 1.7 million USD concerns around 550 employees.
Working time is added up across all locations of the same employer – splitting into separate companies does not protect against overtime obligations.
- Authority / court
- California Labor Commissioner's Office (Division of Labor Standards Enforcement)
- Area of law
- Health and safety and employment law · Working time
- Legal basis
- California Labor Code (Overtime, Meal Periods, Mindestlohn)
- Action
- Other
- Status of proceedings
- final
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Culpability
- intentional
- Liability of senior managers
- Owner Clinton Lewis personally responsible.
Original amount 1,700,000 USD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 16 Sep 2024.
- California DIR News Release 2024-73: California Labor Commissioner’s Office reaches $1.7 million settlement in Wingstop wage theft case (16.09.2024) Press release of an authority
- California DIR News Release 2023-68: California Labor Commissioner Cites Five Winstop Fast Food Restaurants and Their Owner More Than $3 Million (28.09.2023) Press release of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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10 Sep 2024 Keurig Dr Pepper Inc.Keurig Dr Pepper: inaccurate statements on the recyclability of K-Cups in the annual report €1.36m
In its 2019 and 2020 annual reports, Keurig claimed that tests confirmed the recyclability of the K-Cup pods, but failed to disclose that two of the largest US recycling companies had expressed significant concerns and stated that they did not currently intend to accept the pods. Keurig is paying a civil penalty of 1.5 million USD.
Sustainability statements in mandatory reports must be complete – known objections from customers are part of this.
- Authority / court
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
- Area of law
- Capital markets and financial supervision · Disclosure and reporting obligations
- Legal basis
- Section 13(a) Securities Exchange Act 1934, Rule 13a-1
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- final
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
Original amount 1,500,000 USD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 10 Sep 2024.
- SEC Charges Keurig with Making Inaccurate Statements Regarding Recyclability of K-Cup Beverage Pod Press release of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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9 Sep 2024 Smart for Life, Inc.SEC: Smart for Life pays 19,500 US dollars over waivers of whistleblower awards €17,658
The manufacturer of nutrition and wellness products had two departing employees waive potential awards for reports to authorities in separation agreements (May 2022 and June 2023). As part of a sweep against seven listed companies, Smart for Life paid 19,500 US dollars; the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) also took into account the company's strained financial situation.
Separation and employment agreements must restrict neither reports to authorities nor the entitlement to whistleblower awards.
Whistleblower protection in contract templates (HR/Legal)
- Authority / court
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
- Area of law
- Whistleblower protection · Retaliation against whistleblowers
- Legal basis
- Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Rule 21F-17(a)
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- final
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Mitigating circumstances
- Amendment of the templates and information provided to those affected after contact by the SEC, cooperation and strained financial situation
- Published
- 9 Sep 2024
Original amount 19,500 USD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 9 Sep 2024.
- SEC Charges Seven Public Companies with Violations of Whistleblower Protection Rule Press release of an authority
- In the Matter of Smart for Life, Inc., Release No. 34-100974 Decision of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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27 Jun 2024 BGH: advertising with ‘climate neutral’ only permissible with explanation in the advertisement itself Order
A manufacturer of fruit gums and liquorice (not named in the official press release) advertised in a trade journal that it had produced all its products ‘climate neutral’ since 2021, although this was achieved partly through offsetting. Germany's Federal Court of Justice (Bundesgerichtshof, BGH) prohibited the advertising following an action brought by the Centre for Protection against Unfair Competition (Wettbewerbszentrale): ambiguous environmental terms must be explained in the advertisement itself, since reduction and offsetting are not equivalent.
Companies advertising with ‘climate neutral’ must explain directly in the advertisement whether emissions are avoided or merely offset.
Legally compliant environmental and climate claims in advertising
- Authority / court
- Bundesgerichtshof (I. Zivilsenat)
- Area of law
- Environment and sustainability · Misleading environmental and sustainability claims
- Legal basis
- § 3 Abs. 1, § 5 Abs. 1, § 5a Abs. 1 und 3, § 8 Abs. 1 Satz 1 UWG (Az. I ZR 98/23)
- Action
- Order
- Status of proceedings
- final
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Published
- 27 Jun 2024
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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29 Apr 2024 Res-Gastro M. Gaweł Sp. k.UODO: 238,345 PLN against catering company after loss of an unencrypted USB stick €55,102
An employee of the catering company lost a USB stick containing unencrypted data on a colleague, including PESEL number, passport data and salary. The risk analysis had not provided for the mere loss of data carriers, encryption was left to employees with only an instruction video, and the effectiveness of the measures was not tested; the President of the Polish data protection authority (Prezes Urzędu Ochrony Danych Osobowych, UODO) imposed 238,345 PLN (decision DKN.5131.29.2023, not final).
Encryption of portable data carriers must be technically enforced – a training video alone impermissibly shifts responsibility onto employees.
Handling portable data carriers and encryption
Missing or inadequate training played a role in the decision.
- Authority / court
- Prezes Urzędu Ochrony Danych Osobowych (UODO)
- Area of law
- Data protection · Data breaches and data security
- Legal basis
- Art. 5 Abs. 1 lit. f, Art. 5 Abs. 2, Art. 24 Abs. 1, Art. 25 Abs. 1, Art. 32 Abs. 1 und 2 DSGVO
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Mitigating circumstances
- Self-reporting of the incident and cooperation in the proceedings substantially reduced the fine.
- Published
- 17 May 2024
Original amount 238,345 PLN, converted at the ECB reference rate of 29 Apr 2024.
- Prawie 240 tys. zł kary dla firmy, której pracownik zgubił pendrive z danymi osobowymi Press release of an authority
- Decyzja DKN.5131.29.2023 z 29 kwietnia 2024 Decision of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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30 Jan 2024 Vegetable grower cheats harvest workers out of minimum wage: around 500,000 EUR in fines and confiscation €500,000
A vegetable-growing business did not pay harvest workers the collectively agreed minimum wage; the shortfall was just under 300,000 EUR. The investigation was based on interviews conducted with interpreters and the analysis of working time and harvest volume data. Fines of around 200,000 EUR were imposed, and around 300,000 EUR in proceeds of the offence were confiscated in addition (date = publication).
Piece-rate and volume-based pay in seasonal work must reach the minimum wage per hour; deductions for accommodation and work equipment are closely scrutinised.
- Authority / court
- Hauptzollamt Karlsruhe (Finanzkontrolle Schwarzarbeit)
- Area of law
- Health and safety and employment law · Minimum wage and undeclared work
- Legal basis
- Mindestlohn- bzw. Tarifrecht (tariflich bestimmter Mindestlohn); Einziehung des Tatertrags
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Published
- 30 Jan 2024
- Erntehelfer um Mindestlohn betrogen (Hauptzollamt Karlsruhe) Press release of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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7 Dec 2023 DSB: 20,000 EUR against restaurant business over constant surveillance of kitchen and pick-up area €20,000
A restaurant company with a delivery and pick-up service (name pseudonymised) recorded workstations in the kitchen and pick-up area without interruption, even outside opening hours, and stored the recordings for 14 days. In addition, there had been no record of processing activities since 2018; the Austrian data protection authority (Datenschutzbehörde, DSB) imposed 20,000 EUR, and the penalty decision is final.
Even small businesses may not film employees permanently – and they need a record of their processing activities.
- Authority / court
- Datenschutzbehörde (DSB)
- Area of law
- Data protection · Video surveillance
- Legal basis
- Art. 5 Abs. 1 lit. a und c, Art. 6 Abs. 1, Art. 30 Abs. 1 DSGVO
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- final
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- DSB Straferkenntnis GZ 2023-0.583.644 vom 07.12.2023 (RIS) Decision of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link