CMA raises competition concerns over McCormick’s Unilever Foods acquisition

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The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has raised competition concerns over McCormick’s proposed acquisition of Unilever’s global food business, warning that the deal could substantially reduce competition in two UK product categories.

In its phase one decision, the CMA said the merger could lead to a substantial lessening of competition in the supply of dry ingredient mixes and dry sauces to UK retailers.

The proposed acquisition would bring together McCormick’s Schwartz and French’s brands with Unilever Foods’ Knorr, Maille and Colman’s brands. McCormick has agreed to acquire substantially all of Unilever’s global food business, with some food operations remaining under Unilever.

The CMA found that the deal would combine the two largest branded suppliers of dry ingredient mixes and dry sauces in the UK, making the merged business the largest supplier in both categories by a significant margin.

It also said the companies compete closely in these markets, while private-label products and other branded competitors, including Maggi in dry ingredient mixes and Bisto in dry sauces, provide only a limited competitive constraint.

The regulator added that barriers to new entrants and expansion were high, citing limited supermarket shelf space and the established positions of existing suppliers. It had also found no significant market growth that would suggest new competitors could enter or expand sufficiently to constrain the merged business.

However, the CMA found no competition concerns in the supply of mustard.

McCormick supplies American-style mustard under French’s, while Unilever sells English-style mustard under Colman’s and French-style mustard under Maille. The CMA said consumers generally do not consider these different mustard varieties to be suitable alternatives, meaning they form separate product markets with no overlap between the companies.

The CMA also said retailers had not raised concerns that the merged business could use its position in one mustard category to undermine competitors in another.

McCormick and Unilever have until Wednesday 18 November 2026 to offer undertakings to address the CMA’s concerns. If no acceptable commitments are offered, the regulator will refer the deal for an in-depth phase two investigation.

The acquisition is conditional on receiving clearance from relevant competition authorities, including the CMA.