Canada’s Competition Bureau has filed an application with the Competition Tribunal to block B&G Foods Inc.’s proposed sale of its Green Giant and Le Sieur frozen and shelf-stable food business in Canada to Nortera, citing concerns over reduced competition in the market.
B&G Foods, which is headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, confirmed receipt of the regulator’s filing on Wednesday. The company said it disagrees with the Competition Bureau’s position and maintains that the transaction would benefit stakeholders, including Canadian consumers. B&G Foods also emphasized that it remains engaged in discussions with Nortera while evaluating multiple avenues to advance the deal, including potential legal, regulatory, and operational strategies.
The proposed transaction, valued at approximately $1.2 billion, would transfer ownership of Green Giant and Le Sieur brands and their Canadian operations to Nortera. B&G Foods operates in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, manufacturing and distributing branded shelf-stable and frozen foods across all three markets.
A spokesperson for B&G Foods stated that the company is committed to pursuing alternatives that comply with applicable laws and regulations. The company has not provided a revised timeline for the deal but indicated it will issue further updates as developments arise.
