FTC won't back out of Whole Foods fight

WASHINGTON The Federal Trade Commission is still trying to block Whole Foods' efforts to acquire Wild Oats, even after a federal district court judge ruled against the FTC in August. According to The Associated Press, the FTC said that if an appeals court rules in its favor it would have the authority to order the combined company to sell assets in order to promote competition.

In Augus 2007, the merger between Whole Foods and Wild Oats closed, and Whole Foods purchased 84.1% of Wild Oats' outstanding common stock in a cash tender offer of $18.50 per share.