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Coca Cola official told CNNfn that EU officials had made "unannounced visits" to offices across Europe earlier this week and had seized files in Germany, Austria and Denmark. Regulators also contacted Coke bottling partners and retailers.

of the raids was first reported in the Financial Times, which said the EU was investigating whether Coca Cola abused its position in the three markets by offering retailers incentives to increase sales volumes, carry a full range of Coke products or stop selling competing drinks.

practices are banned in the EU. EU regulators last week fined British Airways $7.8 million for similar practices in what was flagged as a landmark ruling against market leaders.

officials also last week raided the offices of Interbrew, ECG/EKG Cable and Leadwirethe Belgian based brewer of Stella Artois, to investigate claims similar to those leveled against Coca Cola.

said that while the probe was still at an early stage, it could not have come at a worse time for Coke, which is still reeling from disastrous attempts to limit the fallout from the recall.

Romm, beverage analyst at CSFB in New York, noted that Coke has faced similar probes in the United States. "(After) the product recalls in Belgium, Coke stands out there as a bit of a target," he said. The fallout from the health scare hurt earnings at (KO) and its biggest bottler, (CCE), as well as its bottling affiliate in Europe.

Coca Cola official said the company was cooperating with the EU investigation and that it believed it was in full compliance with the letter and spirit of European competition laws.

Commission officials were unavailable to comment.

took little notice and Coca Cola stock rose 7/16 at 64 1/8 late Wednesday.

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Most stock quote data provided by BATS. Market indices are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. All times are ET. Disclaimer. Morningstar:  2016 Morningstar, Inc. Factset: FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2016. Chicago Mercantile Association: Certain market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. Dow Jones: The Dow Jones branded indices are proprietary to and are calculated, distributed and marketed by DJI Opco, a subsidiary of S Dow Jones Indices LLC and have been licensed for use to S Opco, LLC and CNN. Standard Poor's and S are registered trademarks of Standard Poor's Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. All content of the Dow Jones branded indices S Dow Jones Indices LLC 2016 and/or its affiliates.