Mars' $36 Billion Deal Faces Khan's 'Chocolate Oligopoly' Views

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There should be Lina Khan/DOJ T-shirts. I would wear one.

By Leah Nylen
August 29, 2024 at 5:00 AM EDT

Khan wrote about a lack of candy competition in 2013
Megadeal comes as grocery pricing is in political spotlight

Years before she became the chair of the US Federal Trade Commission, Lina Khan lamented a lack of competition in candy.

Her views gain new relevance now that she leads the agency that’s expected to take a tough look at whether Mars Inc. should be allowed to buy Cheez-It maker Kellanova for nearly $36 billion, the largest packaged food deal in years.

The tie-up would catapult Mars into the top ranks of the industry behind Unilever Plc, PepsiCo Inc. and Nestle SA. The companies say they have “complimentary” portfolios and the transaction would help Mars expand its snack offerings beyond chocolate.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-08-29/mars-36-billion-deal-faces-tough-review-by-lina-khan-s-ftc?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTcyNDkzODYzNywiZXhwIjoxNzI1NTQzNDM3LCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJTSUw5S09UMEcxS1cwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiI4NzU5NDI1Q0VFODg0NjVCOUVDOUY4Nzg4MkRCMDlFNSJ9.CbZlFZuzJzdbYntkzyS_hi-2BxxH0UsxfPEA0zZLjr4

[CurtEastPoint]

1. That GD family is behind the astronomical rise in veterinary care prices and pet food prices. Fuck them.