Swiss food giant Nestlé said Monday it dismissed its CEO, Laurent Freixe , due to an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate.

The maker of Nescafé drinks and Purina pet food said in a statement that the dismissal was effective immediately. An investigation found the undisclosed romantic relationship with a direct subordinate violated Nestlé's code of conduct.

Nestle CEO Laurent Freixe speaks at a session during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 22, 2025. FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images

The direct subordinate was not identified.

Freixe had been CEO for a year , according to the company. He first joined Nestlé in France in 1986, working in marketing and sales. He later became the head of the Nutrition Division of Nestlé France in 1999.

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