Kraft Foods to merge with ketchup maker Heinz

Kraft macaroni and cheese products are seen on the shelf at a grocery store in Washington, May 3, 2012.
Reuters/for PhillyVoice

Kraft Foods Group Inc. said it would merge with ketchup maker H.J. Heinz Co, owned by 3G Capital and Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc <BRKa.N>, to form the third-largest food and beverage company in North America.

 Kraft shareholders will own a 49 percent stake in the combined company and Heinz shareholders 51 percent.  

Kraft shareholders will receive stock in the combined company and a special cash dividend of $16.50 per share, which will be funded by Berkshire and 3G Capital.