Processing timeline
3
days
Filed
20 Aug 2026
Decision Due
1 Oct 2026
Est decision date: 22 Sept 2026. Based on 74 decided Professional & Business Services notifications.
Acquirer(s)
McCormick & Company, Incorporated Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation - D00148189
Target(s) or Vendor(s)
Australia Food NewCo ACN - 700 391 555
Other parties
MCCORMICK FOODS AUSTRALIA PTY. LTD. ABN - 62 004 763 259, BOTANICAL FOOD COMPANY PTY LTD ABN - 47 085 074 282, McCormick Pty Ltd ACN - 088 077 016, A.C.N. 065 919 495 Pty Ltd ACN - 065 919 495
McCormick & Company, Incorporated proposes to acquire Unilever PLC’s global foods business, excluding specific parts, via a share sale of Australia Food NewCo (holding Unilever’s Australian foods business) to a McCormick UK holding company. This transaction impacts the Australian retail supply of recipe mixes, side dishes, and bottled sauces.
McCormick & Company, Incorporated ( McCormick ) proposes to acquire Unilever PLC’s ( Unilever ) global foods business, excluding Unilever’s food businesses in India, Nepal and Portugal, and Unilever’s Lifestyle and Nutrition, Buavita and Lipton Ready to Drink businesses ( Unilever Foods ) (the Acquisition ). Unilever will incorporate a new Australian entity, Australia Food NewCo, and transfer Unilever Foods’ Australian business to that entity. On completion, Unilever will transfer 100% of the shares in Australia Food NewCo to a McCormick UK holding company. McCormick is a US-headquartered, publicly listed global manufacturer, marketer and distributor of spices, herbs, seasoning mixes, sauces, condiments and other flavour-related products. McCormick operates through two business segments: Consumer, through which it supplies products to customers via retail channels, and Flavour Solutions, through which it supplies food service customers and food manufacturers with products and customised flavouring solutions. Unilever Foods is one of Unilever business groups, and it comprises a portfolio of about 75 brands. Unilever Foods’ business areas can be categorised into condiments (including mayonnaise, ketchup and mustards), cooking aids and mini meals (including soups, bouillons, seasonings, recipe sauces, ready meals and gravy products), and Unilever Food Solutions, through which it provides products and solutions to food service customers. Unilever is a UK-headquartered, fast-moving consumer goods group listed on the London Stock Exchange and Euronext Amsterdam. McCormick and Unilever Foods overlap primarily in the retail supply of recipe mixes, side dishes and bottled sauces in Australia.