Unilever weighs mega sale of foods arm to McCormick

Consumer giant Unilever is in talks to separate its food business and combine it with McCormick & Company, signaling a major strategy shift. Both companies confirmed discussions on Friday after earlier reports.

The move would allow Unilever to focus on faster-growing segments like beauty, personal care, and home products. Its food division, which includes brands like Knorr, could be worth tens of billions of dollars.

McCormick, valued at about $14.8 billion, owns popular brands such as French’s and Cholula.

An all-stock deal could happen within weeks if talks succeed. This potential merger reflects a broader trend of large consumer companies simplifying operations and focusing on core businesses to drive growth.