# UK CMA Sets Nov. 18 Remedy Deadline for McCormick-Unilever Deal

By Riza Dagoc

Canonical URL: https://www.tokenpost.com/news/regulation/54735
Published: 2026-11-12T01:06:48.000Z
Updated: 2026-11-12T01:06:48.000Z
Section: Regulation

> The review found the planned combination would unite the two largest branded suppliers in dry mixes and dry sauces.

Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) gave McCormick and Unilever until Nov. 18 to address competition concerns in their planned food combination. The deal will face an in-depth Phase 2 investigation if the companies do not offer an acceptable remedy.

The CMA’s Phase 1 review centers on dry ingredient mixes and dry sauces sold to UK retailers. Chili con carne mixes and parsley sauce are among the products in those categories.

The deal would unite the two largest branded suppliers in each category and leave the combined company far ahead of rivals. Other brands and supermarket private-label products provide limited competitive pressure, while limited shelf space and established suppliers make it difficult for new competitors to enter or existing ones to expand. The CMA called the risk “a realistic prospect of a substantial lessening of competition.”

McCormick sells dry mixes and sauces in Britain under Schwartz. Unilever’s UK food brands include Knorr, Maille and Colman’s. The review found no competition concern in mustard, treating American-, English- and French-style products as separate markets with no overlap between the companies.

The CMA opened its inquiry Sept. 16, 2026, after inviting public comments from July 21 to Aug. 5. Its Nov. 11 decision is the Phase 1 outcome; a Phase 2 review depends on the remedy process.

Announced March 31, the proposed transaction covers substantially all of Unilever’s global food business, with some food operations excluded. The agreement assigns Unilever Foods an enterprise value of $44.8 billion and provides $15.7 billion in cash and $29.1 billion in equity consideration for Unilever and its shareholders. They are expected to hold 65% of the combined company, with McCormick shareholders owning 35%.

The companies projected about $20 billion in fiscal 2025 revenue for the combined business and expect the transaction to close by mid-2027, subject to McCormick shareholder approval, regulatory approvals and other closing conditions.

The companies have until Nov. 18 to offer an undertaking. If no undertaking is offered, or the CMA finds it insufficient, the deal will move to a Phase 2 investigation.