Mondelez says it’s ending talks on Hershey merger

NEW YORK — Oreo cookie maker Mondelez says it has ended discussions of a possible merger with The Hershey Co, a combination that would have created a global powerhouse selling some of the world’s best known chocolates and snacks. Hershey had said in June that it rejected a preliminary takeover bid from Mondelez International Inc. valued at roughly $22.3 billion. In a statement Monday, Mondelez CEO Irene Rosenfeld said the company decided “there is no actionable path forward toward an agreement” following additional discussions.