Kraft Foods, Cadbury agree to $19.5 billion deal

After months of fierce resistance, Cadbury’s about-face to accept a sweetened 11.5 billion pound ($19.5 billion) takeover from Kraft Foods Inc. – forming the world’s biggest candy company – has alarmed British unions, lawmakers and chocolate lovers.

With Cadbury shareholders expected to agree to the deal and a rival bid from The Hershey Co. looking less likely, opponents fear the U.S. multinational’s impact on one of Britain’s oldest and best-loved brands.

[St. Louis Post Dispatch]