McCormick & Co.

’s pending acquisition of the majority of the food business of Unilever Plc. A notice was sent this week to the two companies. ” After the August close of that comment period, the authority apparently found cause to open the Phase 1 investigation. ” CMA gives itself a Nov. 11 deadline to either drop the investigation or to proceed to a more in-depth Phase 2 investigation. ” McCormick, of course, has French’s mustard. But the merger would also combine the two biggest mayonnaise brands in the world: Unilever’s Hellman’s with McCormick-branded mayo.

8 billion for Unilever's foods business, sales of which are more than twice that of all of McCormick. 1 billion. 7 billion in cash, subject to certain closing adjustments. 9%. Total sales of the merged company would be approximately $20 billion. They were hoping the deal would be completed by mid-2027. Brendan Foley of McCormick is expected to remain chairman, president and CEO, and Marcos Gabriel will stay on as executive vice president and chief financial officer. Executives from both companies will serve in other leadership roles. Unilever will appoint four of 12 members of the combined company’s board of directors.

One of them will be a Unilever executive to support the integration.