After a 30% drop in its third-quarter net income, a down economy,  and a ground beef recall because of possible E. coli contamination, Whole Foods will be laying off 49 workers, 13% of the people at it's corporate headquarters, after also closing its Austin (Texas) bakery only a few months ago.

"Due to the current economic environment and the impact it is having on our business, Whole Foods Market regrets to announce that we are eliminating positions," said Libba Letton, Whole Foods Market media relations.

Whole Foods has also incurred costs relating to its acquisition of Wild Oats. The merger took place last year but is still in dispute. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) argues that the merger of Whole Foods and Wild Oats raised antitrust concerns in 21 regions where the two chains were each other's competitors. Whole Foods countered that its stores compete in a broader market against all supermarkets, not just organic grocery stores. Antitrust experts speculate that the merger will be hard to undo.