US: Justice Department requires divestiture to resolve antitrust concerns in Symrise’s acquisition of IDF and ADF

The Department of Justice announced today that it will require Symrise AG to divest its chicken-based food ingredient manufacturing facility in Banks County, Georgia, in order to proceed with its proposed $900 million acquisition of International Dehydrated Foods LLC (IDF) and American Dehydrated Foods LLC (ADF) from IDF Holdco Inc. and ADF Holdco Inc.

The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division filed a civil antitrust lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to block the proposed merger.  At the same time, the Division filed a proposed settlement that, if approved by the court, would resolve the Department’s competitive concerns.

“This structural solution ensures that American consumers will continue to benefit from vigorous competition for a critical input used in everyday consumer staples like chicken soup, chicken broth and pet food,” said Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division.  “Today’s settlement fully preserves competition in the sale of chicken-based food ingredients.”

Full Content: DOJ

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