Canada’s competition regulator is trying to stop Nortera Foods from turning a 30-year manufacturing relationship into ownership of two major vegetable brands, arguing that control of Green Giant and Le Sieur could hurt grocery competition even though Nortera already produces the products in Canada.
The Competition Bureau said that it filed an application with the Competition Tribunal seeking to block Nortera’s proposed acquisition of the Canadian businesses from B&G Foods. The regulator said its review found the transaction is likely to harm competition, increasing the risk of higher prices and fewer choices for Canadians.
The challenge targets a deal first signed in October 2025. A later B&G Foods SEC filing disclosed that Nortera would pay the value of inventory transferred at closing plus $5 million.
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Had the transaction closed using inventory levels as of September 27, 2025, the purchase price would have been approximately $60 million. The final amount was designed to move with inventory levels.
B&G has been selling businesses as part of a broader effort to reduce debt and exit operations requiring heavy seasonal working capital. The company said proceeds from the Canadian transaction were intended for purposes including debt repayment.
Meanwhile, Nortera has argued that the acquisition would put two long-produced Canadian brands under Canadian ownership.
The company said it has been the exclusive producer of Green Giant and Le Sieur in Canada for 30 years. The company already markets Arctic Gardens and Del Monte in Canada.
The Bureau is holding a technical briefing Wednesday afternoon to explain its competition concerns.
