Just when you thought the Whole Foods/Wild Oats merger story could not grow any weirder, it does. The Associated Press reported today that the FTC will ask the U.S. District Court to stop Whole Foods from integrating Wild Oats until their merger challenge is completed.

For more on NBJ’s coverage of Whole Foods acquisition of Wild Oats, click here.

But I highly suggest you read our analysis of the deal…that is the numbers analysis: Whole Foods & Wild Oats Merger - Does the FTC get it?

SuperMarketNews.com reported that stock in Whole Foods Market was up more than 22% Thursday (1/8/09) after funds associated with Ron Burkle’s Yucaipa Cos. revealed they had acquired 7% of the retailer on the open market.

To read more, click here

Significantly undervalued by the public markets according to many industry insiders, this investment certainly shows the confidence of a veteran retail investor in Whole Foods business model.

Whether or not Yucaipa’s entry will sustain the ~20% bump in share price on the long term remains to be seen.

For a limited time, NBJ has access to a special Nutracon 2009 registration discount code. If you are interested using this code and receiving $200 off a 2-day registration or $100 off a 1-day registration to Nutracon, email me at prea@nutritionbusiness.com.

Nutracon is the premier event for ingredient and technology innovation in the health and nutrition industry that occurs in conjunction with Natural Products Expo West. The conference goal is to help companies develop new science-supported products in the supplements, functional foods and beverages, and nutricosmetics sectors.

If you’re looking for invaluable insight on current, impactful, science and business information on selected themes, then you should attend Nutracon. As an attendee you’ll get a sense of the practical and operational opportunities – as well as the challenges – in your growing business.

In addition, NBJ will be presenting a special State of the Industry presentation at Nutracon on Wednesday. Presenters that will join me will include Carlotta Mast, NBJ’s Editor and Bob Burke of Natural Products Consulting.

I hope to see you there!

-Patrick