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Trading Surrounding Heinz Deal Under FBI Investigation

Criminal Investigation Launched Into Heinz
Reuters
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Bottles of Heinz Ketchup are shown here in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010. H.J. Heinz Co. this morning reported solid fiscal first-quarter growth, fueled by continued strength in the iconic food purveyor's emerging markets and strong North American consumer products revenue.(AP Photo/Don Ryan)

By Emily Flitter

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The FBI is looking into possible insider trading in the options of ketchup maker H.J. Heinz Co

Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway

On Friday, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed a suit against unknown traders who it said used a Goldman Sachs

On Tuesday, the Federal Bureau of Investigation said it was joining in as well.

"The FBI is aware of the trading anomalies the day before Heinz' announcement," a spokesman said. "The FBI is consulting with the SEC to determine if a crime was committed."

A spokeswoman for the investor group declined to comment on the FBI's involvement. A spokesman for Goldman Sachs said the bank is cooperating with authorities' investigations.

Swiss authorities have already said they have not been asked to help with the U.S. investigation.

The SEC enforcement action marked the second time in six months regulators had taken aim at alleged insider trading in a deal involving 3G. The first instance, last September, involved a stockbroker trading on inside information related to 3G's 2010 purchase of Burger King

(Reporting By Emily Flitter; Additional reporting by Ben Berkowitz in Boston and Dan Wilchins in New York; Editing by Gary Hill, Jim Marshall and Steve Orlofsky)

CORRECTION: A previous title for this post incorrectly implied that the Heinz deal is under investigation. The FBI is looking into potential insider trading surrounding the deal.

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Before You Go

10 Things The Fast Food Industry Doesn't Want You To Know
McDonald's Grew During The Recession(01 of10)
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McDonald's had higher sales growth in 2008 than in 2006 or 2007, opening nearly 600 stores that year, according to Slate. The chain was able to take advantage of Americans' recession tastes: Cheap, convenient food. (credit:Getty Images)
They Handle Food That Isn't Really Food(02 of10)
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One Reddit user claiming to be an ex-McDonald's worker said he once left a bag of chicken nuggets out on the counter for too long and "they melted. Into a pool of liquid." That didn't stop him from loving the nuggets, "still delicious," he wrote. (credit:Getty Images)
Fast Food Companies See Huge Profits On The Backs Of Low-Wage Workers(03 of10)
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More than 60 percent of low-wage workers are employed by big corporations, according to a July analysis by the National Employment Law Project. And more than 90 percent of those companies were profitable last year. (credit:Getty Images)
The Average Pay For A Fast Food Worker In New York City Is $9 Per Hour(04 of10)
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Fast food workers in New York City make an average of $9 per hour, according to the Village Voice. That comes to about $18,500 per year for full-time workers. (credit:Getty Images)
Fast Food Workers Are Unlikely To Get Paid Sick Days(05 of10)
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For 40 percent of private sector workers, taking a sick day and still getting paid isn't an option, according to the Baltimore Sun. Fast food workers are especially likely to be part of that 40 percent. (credit:Getty Images)
The Boss Can Threaten To Take Workers' Health Care Away(06 of10)
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Many fast food workers saw their health benefits put at risk this year, if they even had them at all. Papa John's CEO John Schnatter said he would likely reduce some of his workers hours so that he wouldn't have to cover them in response to Obamacare. Jimmy John's founder, Jimmy John Liautaud told Fox News in October that he would "have to" cut workers' hours so that he wasn't forced to cover them under Obamacare. (credit:Getty Images)
The Average Hourly Pay At Many Fast Food Eateries Is Less Than $8 An Hour(07 of10)
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The average hourly pay at McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King and Taco Bell is less than $8 an hour, according to salary data cited by CNBC. (credit:Getty Images)
The Median Age Of A Fast Food Worker Is 28(08 of10)
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As more workers fight for limited jobs, many older employees are gravitating towards the fast food industry. The median age of a fast food worker is 28, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data cited by the Atlantic. For women, who make up two-thirds of the industry's employees, that age is 32. (credit:Getty Images)
Labor Leaders Rarely Try To Unionize Fast Food Workers(09 of10)
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Fast food worker's went on strike in late November in New York City, showcasing a rare effort to organize the industry's workers. Labor leaders often don't make an effort to organize these workers because the high turnover makes the challenge daunting. (credit:Getty Images)
Fast Food Workers Are The Lowest Paid Workers In NYC(10 of10)
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For all their work, fast food workers get very little dough. The lowest paid job category in New York City is "Combined Food Service and Preparation Workers, Including Fast Food," according to Bureau of Labor Department Statistics cited by Salon. (credit:Getty Images)
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