The Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine has launched an investigation against the producer of water “Karpatska Dzherelna” for possible misleading of consumers. Delo.ua* reports with reference to the AMCU’s statement.
It is noted that the agency has initiated consideration of case No. 127-26.4/116-24 on the grounds of a violation by Carpathian Mineral Waters Limited Liability Company, as provided for in Article 15-1 of the Law of Ukraine “On Protection against Unfair Competition”, in the form of dissemination of misleading information.
“The subject matter of the case is, in particular, the actions of Carpathian Mineral Waters LLC in the form of disseminating information about the water of the Carpathian Dzherelna trademark, namely, the origin and characteristics of such products,” the AMCU notes.
The agency draws attention to the fact that “Karpatska Dzherelna” is extracted from wells, so it cannot be called “spring water”. In addition, the water under this brand has nothing to do with the Carpathians, as it is extracted and packaged hundreds of kilometers away.
The AMCU adds that such actions, in the absence of appropriate confirmation of such information by Carpathian Mineral Waters LLC, contain signs of a violation under Article 15-1 of the Law of Ukraine “On Protection against Unfair Competition” in the form of dissemination of misleading information to consumers.
About Carpathian Mineral Waters
“Carpathian Mineral Waters has been a national producer of mineral waters and soft drinks for over 15 years.
The company started its activities in the mineral water market in 1996 with the first bottling of mineral natural table water under the brand name Karpatska Dzherelna, and in June 2002 was reorganized into a plant for the production of mineral water and soft drinks Karpatski Mineralni Vody. In 2002, the company started production of sweet carbonated drinks under the Fruktova Dzherelna and Sokovynka brands, and in 2016 – the Dragon energy drink.
Today, the Carpathian Mineral Waters Group of Companies is a powerful player in the Ukrainian market of natural mineral waters and soft drinks.
Karpatska Dzherelna mineral water is extracted from two artesian wells at a depth of 90 meters from a natural source. According to the company, the production facility is located right next to the source, and the water from the wells is piped to the bottling line. During the bottling process, the water is filtered only from mechanical impurities and retains all useful natural trace elements.
As a reminder, the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine has imposed a fine of almost UAH 1 million on three companies of businessman Viacheslav Suprunenko.
Thus, Kyiv Plant Rosinka LLC was fined UAH 169,999, Kyiv BCC LLC was fined UAH 300,000, and Kyivkhlib LLC was fined UAH 500,000. The penalty was imposed for violation of the legislation on protection of economic competition by acquiring assets in the form of a single property complex of PrJSC “Kraplynka” without the AMCU’s permission.
