WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Tyson Foods Inc, the largest U.S. meat processor, won U.S. antitrust approval for its purchase of Hillshire Brands Co, the Justice Department said on Wednesday.
The companies agreed to sell Heinold Hog Markets, which purchases sows that are sold to sausage-makers, to win approval for the $8.5 billion deal, the department said.
The attorneys general of Illinois, Iowa and Missouri, all big hog producing states, joined the settlement that the companies reached with the Justice Department's Antitrust Division.
"Today's proposed settlement will help ensure that hog breeders in the United States will continue to receive the benefits of vigorous competition when selling sows," said Bill Baer, assistant attorney general for Antitrust Division.
Tyson Foods shares were up about 1 percent and Hillshire Brands was near steady in U.S. trading shortly after the news.
The deal was announced in June.
(Reporting by Diane Bartz; Editing by Ros Krasny and Sandra Maler)
