Suntory: merger with Kirin among options

TOKYO, July 13 (Reuters) - Japanese beverage and food company Suntory Holdings Ltd said it was considering a merger with larger rival Kirin Holdings Co (2503.T) among several options being weighed to bolster its business.

Suntory spokeswoman Naoko Tsuda said a merger was one of many options it was considering but that nothing concrete had been decided.

The Nikkei business daily reported earlier that Suntory and Kirin were in talks to merge and create one of the world's largest beverage and food firms.

Suntory is not listed.