The packaging giant claims its payments to Parmalat were in line with other large customers

The packaging giant claims its payments to Parmalat were in line with other large customers

Fausto Tonna, former chief financial officer at the insolvent Italian dairy firm, was reported to have told prosecutors investigating the group's collapse that “bulk discounts” paid by Tetra Pak went to members of Parmalat’s controlling Tanzi family.

Tetra Pak yesterday denied any knowledge of the alleged payments and pledged full co-operation with the Italian authorities. The firm said the discounts it paid to Parmalat were in line with other large customers. “We have reviewed our discount payments to Parmalat since 1995 and we cannot identify any payments knowingly made directly to either the Tanzi family or any other individuals. Payments have always been made to the companies to which Parmalat has directed us.”

Average Tetra Pak sales to Parmalat were E224.4m a year between 1995 and 2003. On average, the discounts paid were roughly E12.2m a year during the same period.