B&G Foods terminated the sale of its Green Giant business in Canada, a little more than a month after regulators expressed concern that the divestiture may violate antitrust laws.
The food maker announced last October it would sell its Green Giant and Le Sueur brands in Canada to Nortera Foods. Under the terms of the agreement, either party could terminate the deal if regulatory approval in Canada was not obtained before Sept. 24 of this year.
In August, Canada’s Competition Bureau asked the country’s Competition Tribunal to block the sale by B&G, saying the divestiture may result in higher prices, fewer choices and reduced competition. The Bureau noted that Nortera is already Canada’s dominant processor of certain canned and frozen vegetables, including the Del Monte and Arctic Gardens brands.
B&G said it will continue exploring options for Green Giant Canada, including a sale or partnership. Nortera Foods will remain as the primary co-manufacturer for Green Giant Canada.
“Although we are disappointed that the transaction was not completed before the outside date, we remain highly confident in Green Giant Canada’s future,” Robert Mills, B&G’s CEO, said in a statement. Green Giant has “significant opportunities for growth and margin improvement.”
Once a serial acquirer, B&G has slimmed down its business to shed noncore assets, sharpen its focus and reduce its debt.
B&G previously sold the Green Giant U.S. shelf-stable vegetable product line to Seneca Foods in November 2023 and the Le Sueur U.S. shelf-stable vegetable product line to McCall Farms in August 2025.
