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Australia: For ACCC, ketchup and baby food don’t mix

By  |  June 6, 2013

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has reportedly blocked a deal proposed by ketchup giant H.J. Heinz Co. to purchase baby food competitor Rafferty’s Garden. According to the regulator, the buyout would lead to Heinz dominating the baby food market with about 80 percent control of the wet infant food sector and 70 percent of the infant cereals and snacks sector. According to the ACCC, both companies currently control about 40 percent of the market. While Heinz did not comment on its next move, the company did state that both it and Rafferty’s Garden were “disappointed” by the ACCC’s decision. Heinz has been bought-out by 3G Capital and Berkshire Hathaway in a deal set for finalization this week. Heinz has reportedly been focusing on its baby food endeavors in recent years.

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