Don’t expect to see Wonder Bread on store shelves any time soon.
Antitrust enforcers are scrutinizing Flowers Foods’ deal to buy the iconic white bread and most of the other Hostess bread brands, The Post has learned.
Flowers, the nation’s second-biggest baker, has received a second request for more information from the Department of Justice — an indication that regulators are taking a close look at the $360 million deal, two sources close to the situation said.
In February, Flowers, based in Thomasville, Ga., won the bankruptcy court auction to buy most of the bread business, which also includes Nature’s Pride, Butternut and Merita.
Hostess products have not been produced since November, when the company filed for Chapter 11 following a strike by its bakers’ union. The company ended up liquidating and selling off well-known brands like Twinkies and Wonder.
The DOJ’s main concern is that Flowers controls more than 40 percent of the low-priced bread market in the Southeast. The purchase of Hostess’ Merita brand, which also has a strong presence in that region, would further consolidate its position.
“I think the DOJ will end up asking Flowers to shed some brands: Merita and maybe one of the smaller ones,” the source said.
If the DOJ stops Flowers from acquiring Merita, Flowers may end up fighting the decision in court, delaying the deal further, the source said.
A spokesman for Flowers, which reports quarterly results on Thursday, did not return calls. After winning the auction, the company said the regulatory process could take several months.
“Flowers is cautious,” a source said. “So they may say it is OK if it takes a year.” __