FTC Asks for Halt to Whole Foods/Wild Oats Combo

Portland, Ore. On Monday it was announced that the Federal Trade Commission is asking a federal judge to halt the integration of Wild Oats and Whole Foods Market. The request is part of an ongoing legal battle over the 2007 deal that combined the two chains.

The FTC wants a U.S. District Court judge to force Whole Foods Market to stop all integration activities while one of several disputes over its acquisition of Wild Oats is handled in court.

A finding in favor of the FTC would completely unwind the companies, say regulators.

Whole Foods Market officials actively opposed the FTC's request and say the process of integrating Wild Oats is complete.