Dec. 20 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. antitrust enforcers are looking into pricing practices in the chocolate industry, said Mars Inc., the maker of M&M candies.

Alice Nathanson, spokesman for McLean, Virginia-based Mars, said today in a statement that the privately held company was contacted by the Justice Department. ``We will cooperate with them if they initiate an investigation,'' Nathanson said. The inquiry was first reported today by the Wall Street Journal.

Nestle USA issued a statement saying it was aware of a preliminary inquiry into U.S. chocolate marketing practices.

``We have not received any document requests, but plan to cooperate fully,'' the statement said. Vevey, Switzerland-based Nestle, the world's largest food company, makes KitKat and Coffee Crisp chocolates.

``We can't comment on legal matters, including ongoing investigations,'' Cadbury Schweppes Plc spokeswoman Luisa Girotto said. ``We would cooperate in any investigation.'' London-based Cadbury, the world's biggest confectionary company, sells chocolate brands such as Dairy Milk and Fruit & Nut in Canada.

Hershey Co. spokesman Kirk Saville declined to comment. The company is based in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

The Justice Department in Washington declined immediate comment. Canadian authorities said last month they were investigating allegations that companies were fixing prices for chocolate bars. Hershey and Nestle confirmed they had been contacted by Canadian investigators.

To contact the reporter on this story: Laurie Asseo in Washington at lasseo1@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: December 20, 2007 18:31 EST