Author: 21st Century Competition

France/Switzerland: Nestle in the lead for deal with Danone (Competition Policy International)

French food product conglomerate Danone is said to be in “advanced” discussions with Swiss confectioner Nestle to divest its medical nutrition operations after healthcare firm Fresenius dropped out of the acquisition race.

According to unnamed sources, Nestle is poised to acquire the nutrition operations, though any buy would face antitrust hurdles …read more

US: NCAA handed setback in antitrust lawsuit (Competition Policy International)

A federal judge denied one of four motions filed by the NCAA intended to delay an antitrust trial set to begin next month, according to reports.

US District Judge Claudia Wilken denied the NCAA’s motion that questioned an earlier ruling that specified what the NCAA can use as defense in the …read more

Australia: Federal budget adds new burdens to ACCC (Competition Policy International)

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is reportedly set to take on new burdens as a federal budget has either consolidated or eliminated 70 federal regulators.

The plans will come into full effect by July of next year, a move that includes the elimination of the Private Health Insurance Administration Council …read more

US: Jimmy Dean strikes $4.3B deal with fellow food giant (Competition Policy International)

Hillshire Brands, which makes Jimmy Dean meat products, is reportedly set to acquire other food brand giants in the US with a $4.3 billion deal.

Hillshire is set to merge with Pinnacle Foods, a deal that would add brands including Birds Eye frozen foods, Duncan Hines and Vlasic pickles to the …read more