# UK watchdog probes Unilever-McCormick $44.8bn deal

> UK competition regulator starts Phase 1 review of Unilever-McCormick merger after potential market impact concerns
- Title: UK watchdog probes Unilever-McCormick $44.8bn deal | Shortify
- Summary: UK competition regulator starts Phase 1 review of Unilever-McCormick merger after potential market impact concerns UK regulator launched Phase 1…
- Keywords: cma, unilever, mccormick, knorr, hellmanns, colmans, phase one, phase two, competition, food assets, merger, watchdog
- Source: Yahoo Finance — https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/unilever-mccormick-deal-comes-under-140457960.html
- Published: 2026-09-16T14:18:54+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: uk, cma, unilever, mccormick, knorr, hellmanns, colmans, phase one, phase two, competition, food assets, merger
## UK regulator launches probe
UK competition regulator began Phase 1 review of Unilever-McCormick $44.8bn deal to assess competition impacts

> A decision has been taken to market the Colman's brand and assets to potential buyers in order to proactively seek to address potential competition concerns from the planned combination of Unilever Foods and McCormick
## Deal structure details
McCormick takes most Unilever food assets including Knorr soups and Hellmann's mayonnaise but excludes Lipton drinks and India/Nepal/Portugal operations
## Colman's sale
Unilever sold Colman's mustard to address competition concerns before the merger
## Regulator timeline
CMA has 11 November deadline to complete Phase 1 review and decide on Phase 2 investigation
## Shareholder stakes
Unilever shareholders own 55.1% of combined company after deal closes, McCormick 35%, Unilever 9.9%
## Key takeaway

UK regulator launched Phase 1 investigation into Unilever-McCormick deal to assess competition risks before possible Phase 2 review