Nestle SA, the world's biggest foodmaker, received European antitrust approval for its $US11.9 billion purchase of Ralston Purina after agreeing to give up dog and cat-food brands in three countries.
The purchase, which has yet to be passed by US authorities, would make the Swiss-based business the leader of the $US25billion pet-food industry.
Nestle agreed to sell or license products in Spain, Italy and Greece to allay European Union concerns.
The purchase would allow Nestle to overtake Mars even after the family-owned maker of Pedigree this month agreed to buy Royal Canin of France, Europe's No 1 maker of dry pet foods, from BNP Paribas for €1.5 billion ($3.2 billion).
