GROUPE Danone, the world's biggest yogurt maker, said it started "appropriate proceedings" after a dispute with Hangzhou Wahaha Group, the French company's joint-venture partner in China.

Danone said in an e-mailed statement yesterday that it sent a letter to Wahaha Chairman Zong Qinghou on April 9, requesting he take legal action against Hangzhou Wahaha Food & Beverage Marketing Ltd for alleged illegal sales under the Wahaha trademark. "Danone has commenced appropriate proceedings today (Wednesday)," the statement said. Ying Ding, senior counsel for Ogilvy Public Relations in Shanghai, which distributed the statement, confirmed the release and declined to elaborate or say whether any legal proceedings had started.