Every year the FTC brings hundreds of cases against individuals and companies for violating consumer protection and competition laws that the agency enforces. These cases can involve fraud, scams, identity theft, false advertising, privacy violations, anti-competitive behavior and more. The Legal Library has detailed information about cases we have brought in federal court or through our internal administrative process, called an adjudicative proceeding.
H.J. Heinz Company; Milnot Holding Corporation; and Madison Dearborn Partners Capital, L.P., In the Matter of
Statement of Timothy J. Muris Regarding Zuccarini, John, d/b/a Cupcake Party
H.J. Heinz Company and Milnot Holding Corp
The FTC sought a preliminary injunction to block H.J. Heinz Company's (Heinz) proposed $185 million acquisition of Milnot Holding Company, owner of Beech-Nut Nutrition Corporation (Beech-Nut), citing concerns that the transaction would reduce the number of competitors in the baby food market from three to two, creating a duopoly. Heinz and Beech-Nut are the nation's second- and third-largest producers of prepared baby food. The district court denied the motion, but the U.S. District Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia reversed the federal district court decision and granted the Commission’s request for entry of a preliminary injunction. Soon after, the parties abandoned the transaction.