Company says that it has received an inbound offer for its foods business and is currently is discussion phase
Taking note of the recent media reports regarding a potential transaction involving its foods business, fast-moving consumer goods major Unilever has confirmed that it is in talks with McCormick and Company.
The company said that it has received an inbound offer for its foods business and is currently is discussion phase with the company. However, it also clarified that ‘there can be no uncertainty that any transaction will be agreed’.
“The board believes foods is a highly attractive business, with a strong financial profile led by market-leading brands in growing categories and is confident in the future of the foods business as part of Unilever,” the company informed the London Stock Exchange.
Last year, the company spun off its ice cream division into Magnum Ice Cream Co, and has kept around 20 per cent stake which it will sell down going ahead, the report added. Earlier, Emphasising that the opportunities in India are massive, Fernando Fernandez, the Chief Executive of Unilever, stated that the company wants Hindustan Unilever or HUL to align its growth path with India’s gross domestic product (GDP). He noted that the government has taken ‘very relevant measures lately’.
“We believe that we will be the main beneficiaries of what will be a much more dynamic economic environment in India. I feel that the Indian government has taken very relevant measures lately. So, GST reduction, personal income tax reduction, interest rate reduction, when the government does something like this, it is because the things in the economy are not right and really, that is what was happening the last couple of years, in which Indian consumption was affected significantly, in three years, by double-digit food inflation,” the CEO said during a fireside chat with JP Morgan in December 2025.
HUL recently completed the sale of its entire shareholding in Nutritionalab, for a total consideration of approximately Rs 307 crore. The company also completed the acquisition of the balance stake of 49 per cent shares of Zywie Ventures, for a total consideration of Rs 824 crore.
