EU antitrust regulators pause investigation into Mars' $36 billion Kellanova deal

By Foo Yun Chee

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -EU antitrust regulators paused their investigation into candy maker Mars' $36 billion bid for Pringles maker Kellanova on Tuesday while they await data requested from the companies.

The European Commission, which acts as the competition watchdog for the 27-country bloc, last month opened a full-scale investigation into the deal, warning that it could result in price increases.

"The 'clock' in merger investigations can be suspended if the parties fail to provide, in a timely fashion, an important piece of information that the Commission has requested from them within a prescribed deadline," the Commission said in an email.

The investigation will resume with a new decision deadline once the companies have handed over the information. The previous deadline was October 31.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission approved the deal unconditionally last month.

(Reporting by Foo Yun CheeEditing by David Goodman)