Nestle unit faces anti-trust case in Panama

PANAMA CITY, April 1 (Reuters) - A Panama subsidiary of Swiss-based foods giant Nestle (NESN.VX: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) is one of four companies accused of alleged collusion in the dairy market, Panama's Consumer Protection Authority (ACODECO) said.

ACODECO, also responsible for regulating competition, said it had submitted the results of a months-long investigation into Nestle Panama S.A. and three local companies to a Panama City court for a ruling.

The consumer protection agency said in a statement it had presented the case because of "suspected monopolistic practices, consistent with the exchange of information and fixing and imposing prices for the purchase of wholesale milk from producers."

If found guilty, each of the companies could face a fine of up to $1 million.

Nestle's Panama unit said in a statement that it would study ACODECO's allegations in detail and prepare a response.

Nestle has operated in Panama and Central America since 1937. (Reporting by Andrew Beatty in Panama City, editing by Maureen Bavdek)