Marmite maker Unilever in talks to merge food business with US-based McCormick

Anglo-Dutch company, which also owns Dove and Hellmann’s, will focus more on personal care products if deal agreed Unilever, the owner of Marmite, Dove and Hellmann’s mayonnaise, is in talks to combine its food business with the US-based spice and seasoning maker McCormick. The Anglo-Dutch food company – which last year spun off its ice-cream division, the home to Ben & Jerry’s, Magnum and Wall’s – has entered discussions over the future of the “highly attractive” business. Unilever is valued at almost £100bn, and its food unit, which includes brands such as Knorr, could be worth tens of billions of pounds. McCormick, which owns brands including French’s yellow mustard, Old Bay seasoning and Cholula hot sauce, is valued at about $15bn (£11bn). “Unilever confirms that it has received an inbound offer for its foods business and is in discussions with McCormick & Company,” the Marmite maker said in a statement. “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. There can be no certainty that any transaction will be agreed.