BRUSSELS, June 25 (Reuters) - EU antitrust regulators

opened on Wednesday a full-scale investigation into candy maker

Mars' $36 billion takeover of Pringles maker Kellanova ( K ),

saying the deal may hurt competition.

The European Commission said the deal announced last August

could lead to higher prices for consumers due to Mars' increased

negotiating power towards retailers in the European Economic

Area.

"Mars could increase its bargaining power vis-à-vis

retailers. As a result, Mars could be in a position to use this

increased leverage to, for example, extract higher prices during

negotiations, which in turn would lead to higher prices for

consumers," the EU competition enforcer said.

Reuters exclusively reported on June 18 that the deal would

trigger intensive EU regulatory scrutiny.

"The proposed transaction was notified to the Commission on

16 May 2025. The Commission now has 90 working days, until 31

October 2025, to take a decision. The opening of an in-depth

inquiry does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation," the

Commission said.