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. 

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