The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has called for comments on Carlsberg's acquisition of soft drinks major Britvic.
In a statement, the CMA said it is assessing whether the Danish brewer's proposed takeover could "result in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services".
The CMA said comments on the potential impact of the purchase of Britvic on UK competition are welcomed "from any interested party" up until 24 September.
The watchdog added that it could "contact companies and organisations that are active in the markets affected by the merger, or have valuable insights or evidence that could assist the CMA’s investigation".
An inquiry into the proposed merger will be launched after the CMA's collection of responses. A start date for the inquiry is still to be confirmed.
Britvic declined to comment on the news. Carlsberg has also been asked for a response.
In July, the J20 drinks producer accepted a takeover bid from Carlsberg in July worth £3.3bn ($4.2bn).
The bid was the third the Tuborg owner had made for the UK soft-drinks group. In June, Britvic announced it had rejected two proposals, with the second bid worth around £3.2bn ($4.2bn), or 1,250 pence a share.
Commenting on the acceptance of the bid in July, Carlsberg said it planned to “accelerate commercial and supply chain investments in Britvic, driving the future growth trajectory of the business”.
It intends to create a single integrated beverage company in the UK, called Carlsberg Britvic.
At the same time that Britvic accepted the deal, Carlsberg also announced it had agreed to acquire Marston’s 40% stake in their brewing joint venture, Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC), in the UK.
A team of staff plucked from Carlsberg, CMBC and Britvic have been assembled to manage Carlsberg Britvic. The business will have a portfolio of brands spanning beer and soft drinks.
Carlsberg already sells a range of soft drinks such as Tuborg Light Squash in Denmark, Xixia in China and Tuborg Soda in Greece.
