FTC seeks to halt Whole Foods combo

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - The Federal Trade Commission is asking a federal judge to halt the integration of Wild Oats and Whole Foods Market as part of an ongoing legal battle over the 2007 deal that combined the two natural grocery chains.

The FTC want a U.S. District Court judge to force Whole Foods to stop integration activities while one of several disputes over its acquisition of Wild Oats is handled in court. If the judge finds the FTC has a strong enough case, the regulators said they would completely unwind the companies.

Whole Foods officials vehemently opposed the FTC's request and said the process of integrating Wild Oats is done.