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.