FTC Approves Final Order Settling Charges that Coca-Colas Acquisition of its Largest North American Bottler Was Anticompetitive

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final
Order settling charges that The Coca-Cola Company’s $12.3 billion acquisition of its largest North American bottler, which also distributes Dr Pepper brand carbonated soft drinks in specific geographic markets, would have been anticompetitive. The order requires Coca-Cola to limit access to the confidential competitive business information of rival Dr Pepper Snapple Group.

The Commission vote approving the final Order was 4-0-1, with Commissioner Edith Ramirez recused. The Order can be found on the FTC’s website and as a link to this press release. (FTC File No. 101-0107; the staff contact is Jill Frumin, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2758; see press release dated September 27, 2010, at http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2010/09/coke.shtm.)

Copies of the documents mentioned in this release are available from the FTC’s website at http://www.ftc.gov and from the FTC’s Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20580. Call toll-free: 1-877-FTC-HELP.