The Italian competition authority has launched an investigation into local crisp manufacturers Amica Chips and Pata over claims they coordinated prices.

Announcing the investigation, which has already led to raids on the companies’ premises, Autorita Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM) said the matter has been brought to its attention “thanks to the report of a whistleblower”.

In its statement, the AGCM said: “The two companies would have coordinated the price proposals to be presented to the large-scale retail chains for the sale, at a national level, of the chips produced.”

The watchdog said its investigation has been launched “for an alleged agreement restricting competition relating to the production and marketing of private-label chips produced on behalf of large-scale retail chains”.

Local media outlet Il Fatto Alimentare suggested the large-scale retail chains involved in this case would include Esselunga, Carrefour, Aldi and Lidl.

The AGCM added: “The two companies, according to the AGCM, would have coordinated to distribute customers among themselves, thus keeping prices at a supra-competitive level.”

The regulator said that, with the help of the Special Antitrust Unit of the Guardia di Finanza, it has carried out inspections at the main offices of the two firms, as well as another person “believed to be in possession of elements useful for the investigation”.

Just Food has asked Amica Chips and Pata for their response to the news of AGCM’s investigation.