March 20 (Reuters) - Unilever ( UL ) said on Friday it

was in talks with U.S.-based McCormick & Company ( MKC ) about

selling its foods business, which includes brands such as

Hellmann's mayonnaise and Knorr soups and seasonings.

Unilever ( UL ) said it has received an inbound offer for the

business. There can be no certainty that a deal will be agreed,

the companies said in separate statements.

A possible agreement will bring Unilever's ( UL ) popular brands

like Coleman and Marmite and Maryland-based McCormick's ( MKC ) iconic

Cholula hot sauce under one roof.

The talks come months after the conglomerate spun-off its

ice cream brand Magnum Ice Cream Company as it shifts

focus towards higher-return personal and beauty categories.

Unilever's ( UL ) food business, contributed about a quarter of

its total sales in 2025 at over 12.9 billion euros ($14.91

billion), while its personal care and beauty businesses

accounted for over half of it.

($1 = 0.8650 euros)