Red Bull targeted in EU antitrust investigation, may be thwarting rival

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -EU antitrust regulators on Thursday opened an investigation into Austrian energy drinks maker Red Bull, saying that it may be restricting competition, in particular the energy drinks sold by its closest rival.

The European Commission said it has indications that Red Bull, well known for its 250 ml energy drink, may have developed a Europe-wide strategy to restrict competition from energy drinks larger than 250 ml.

The EU investigation followed dawn raids into the company in 2023 and after allegations of anti-competitive tactics from its U.S. rival Monster Energy.

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee)