EU Antitrust Body 'Restarts' Mars-Kellanova Approval Process
European Union antitrust regulators have resumed their consideration – and investigation – into Mars Inc.'s $36 billion proposed acquisition of Kellanova, according to several European media. They’ve “reset the clock” with a Dec. 19 deadline for their decision.
The European Commission, the union’s competition enforcer, halted its approval process in June and asked the two American companies to provide more information. Although the acquisition was approved by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission on June 25, the European Commission has taken a more skeptical stance, saying a larger Mars could exert too much leverage over EU grocers – and raise prices for consumers.
Just coincidentally, Mars today announced it will invest €1 billion in Europe by the end of 2026, boosting manufacturing and innovation across its 24 factories in 10 countries, which employ 25,000 Europeans. Just coincidental.
About the Author
Dave Fusaro
Editor in Chief
Dave Fusaro has served as editor in chief of Food Processing magazine since 2003. Dave has 30 years experience in food & beverage industry journalism and has won several national ASBPE writing awards for his Food Processing stories. Dave has been interviewed on CNN, quoted in national newspapers and he authored a 200-page market research report on the milk industry. Formerly an award-winning newspaper reporter who specialized in business writing, he holds a BA in journalism from Marquette University. Prior to joining Food Processing, Dave was Editor-In-Chief of Dairy Foods and was Managing Editor of Prepared Foods.