McCormick-Unilever Deal May Lessen UK Competition, Regulator Says

04:17 AM EST, 11/11/2026 (MT Newswires) -- McCormick's (MKC) proposed acquisition of most of Unilever's (UL) foods business faces a deeper UK probe amid concerns that the deal would significantly reduce competition in the country, the Competition and Markets Authority said Wednesday. The merger will be referred for a phase 2 investigation unless the parties offer an acceptable undertaking to address the competition concerns, the regulator said.