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The global beverage giant, The Coca-Cola Company, has lodged a formal complaint with Kazakhstan's Ministry of Justice regarding the sale of substandard drinks being marketed under its well-known brand.

Counterfeit Products Discovered

Suspicious beverages bearing the Coca-Cola name were identified in markets in the city of Shymkent. According to the Ministry of Justice, an investigation was launched after The Coca-Cola Company itself raised concerns.

The Ministry's statement detailed, "Counterfeit products were found to be sold under the Coca-Cola brand in city markets. The investigation was initiated by a formal request from the rights holder, The Coca-Cola Company. The company stated that its exclusive rights were being violated and that products of questionable origin had appeared on store shelves."

Legal Action Initiated

Based on the findings, an administrative case has been initiated under Article 158 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which pertains to the illegal use of trademarks, service marks, or indications of the origin of goods. The case materials have been forwarded to the court.

The ministry emphasized that counterfeit products not only harm brands but also pose a significant risk to public health, as such beverages are often produced without adhering to sanitary standards.

Kazakhstani entrepreneurs involved in selling counterfeit goods have been warned that they will be held legally accountable. Authorities have indicated that such enforcement raids will now be conducted on a regular basis.

This information was reported by the Infohub.kz news agency.