CORRECTED - CORRECTED-Kirin and Suntory decline comment on merger talks

(Corrects name in paragraph 4 to ...Tsuda... from ...Tada...)

TOKYO, July 13 (Reuters) - Japanese beverage and food company Kirin Holdings Co (2503.T) said it could not comment on whether it was in talks with unlisted rival Suntory Holdings Ltd about merging.

The Nikkei business daily reported earlier that Kirin and Suntory were in talks to merge.

Kirin spokesman Yoshiki Yamashita said he could not comment on whether the two firms were in talks.

Suntory spokeswoman Naoko Tsuda said she was checking on the report and could not immediately comment.