FTC Grants Whole Foods' Request to Suspend Action

Washington, D.C. The Federal Trade Commission on Thursday agreed to suspend part of its challenge against Whole Foods Markets Inc. to discuss possible settlements over its acquisition of Wild Oats.

The federal regulators have vigorously challenged the natural grocer's 2007 acquisition of Wild Oats Markets, leaving the two sides mired in legal and regulatory challenges since then.

In an order posted Thursday, the FTC said it would suspend its regulatory challenge until Feb. 5 so the parties could discuss the matter.