The Israeli government is investigating one of the country's largest distributors of Colgate-Palmolive toothpaste and other products in its antitrust court, according to a news report from Haaretz.
Colgate-Palmolive allegedly requested that its Israeli distributor, S. Schestowtiz, block the sale of its products imported from unlicensed distributors, also known as parallel imports.
S. Schestowitz is one of the largest toiletries importers in Israel. The company controls 60% of Israel's toothpaste market, according to Haaretz.
The antitrust case includes thousands of emails between S. Schestowitz and Colgate-Palmolive about products brought in by unofficial distributors. The case alleges Colgate-Palmolive told S. Schestowitz to limit parallel imports as much as legally possible.
Colgate-Palmolive sought to prevent parallel imports so that it could sell toothpaste and other products at prices in line with the local markets and competition, Haaretz reported. The sale of toothpaste and other Colgate-Palmolive products by parallel importers could increase competition and drive down prices.
