The lawsuit denounced the food and drink giant for illegal price discrimination.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) voted Thursday to dismiss the lawsuit against PepsiCo, filed on the last day of the Biden administration.
The Republican-controlled agency voted 3-0 to dismiss legal issues without bias. In other words, it could be hypothetically re-queried to the company at a later date.
“The Biden Harris FTC has rushed to allow this lawsuit just three days before President Trump’s inauguration, pursuing this administration to pursue more than a prophecy that Pepsi violated the law,” Ferguson said. “Taxpayer dollars should not be used for legally questionable partisan stunts. FTC’s excellent staff will return to work to protect consumers and ensure a fair and competitive business environment.”
Lina Khan was the chairman of the FTC when the lawsuit was filed.
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The Democratic FTC Commissioner Rebecca’s massacre and Alvaro Bedoya supported Khan by bringing out legal assignments, and Commissioner Melissa Holiork and then-commissioner Ferguson opposed.
According to the FTC, Pepsi, the world’s second-largest food company, has given unfair prices to one customer, a large, large box retailer the benefits, benefits and special discounts while charging high prices to competing stores.
Pepsi’s unfair practices have been stated by disadvantaged retailers who compete with large box retailers in reselling Pepsi soft drinks in the US, including family-owned neighbourhood grocery stores, local convenience stores, mid-tier grocery stores and independent retailers.
Pepsi’s actions are inflated prices, lawsuits alleges
Pepsi’s suspect was also forced to raise costs to retailers, causing prices for American families to rise, the FTC said.
“The competition these retailers offer is a key component of the American economy and provides valuable alternatives that benefit consumers and communities,” he wrote in the lawsuit.
The FTC had sought a permanent injunction against PepsiCo’s alleged anti-competitive conduct.
A few days after the lawsuit was filed, President Donald Trump took office and Kern resigned.
The Bedoya and the Massacre were fired by Trump in March, and then they sued the administration over their removal.
“With today’s firing, our dedicated staff can focus on introducing enforcement measures where they have reason to believe they’ve been violated by the law and where they can do their best, where they can protect American consumers,” she said.
PepsiCo welcomed the withdrawal of the FTC’s lawsuit.
“PepsiCo is constantly providing fair, competitive, non-discriminatory pricing, discounts and advertising value to all our customers,” the company said in a statement.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
