Sysco/US Foods Merger Questioned by Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson
SAINT PAUL, MN - Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson has thrown another roadblock in the way of Sysco's proposed merger with US Foods. In a letter addressed to FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez, she shared serious concerns whether any divestiture by Sysco could prevent a monopolistic environment if this merger were allowed to go through.
According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the AG's office had heard several complaints from Minnesota-based businesses arguing that the proposed merger would leave them "fewer choices among distributors and potentially resulting in higher prices for consumers."
Sysco declined to comment on the Attorney General's comments directly. Sysco Spokesman Charley Wilson only shared that, “We continue to have constructive conversations with the FTC in its review of our proposed merger with US Foods.”
As the St. Louis Post-Dispatch noted, Minnesota is not among the group of about 25 states which are also reviewing this merger. These states, which include Florida and Indiana, share concerns that US Foods and Sysco are the only two national distribution companies which service their state and therefore a merger could seriously damage competition in the state.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for additional updates on the Sysco/US Food merger as this process continues.
