The European Commission has “restarted the clock” on its probe into Mars, Inc’s $35.9bn (€30.59bn) merger with snack brand Kellanova. The European Union’s antitrust regulator has set a new deadline of 19 December 2025, for a decision on the deal. However, it’s clear this information was not provided, as the Commission moved to “stop the clock” on the deal’s approval process on 28 July. The deal had previously sailed through the regulatory approval process in the United States, with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) concluding it does not pose a threat to market competition. With the clock now ticking again, all eyes are on Mars to deliver the necessary assurances to EU regulators.