Mars’ $36 Billion Kellanova Deal Hit by Full-Scale EU Probe

Mars Inc.’s $36 billion bid for Pringles chips maker Kellanova faces a potential glitch after European Union opened an in-depth investigation over concerns the largest packaged-food deal in almost a decade could thwart competition.

The deal will give Mars “several very popular brands of potato chips and cereals to its already broad and strong product portfolio,” the EU’s antitrust chief Teresa Ribera said in a statement. The probe “will assess the transaction’s impact on the price of these companies’ products for consumers.”