Danone, a French food and beverage conglomerate, has received regulatory clearance to acquire Huel, a British-based nutrition company, in a deal valued at €1 billion (£864 million). The Competition and Markets Authority completed its review and granted approval for the transaction, which was initially announced in March.
Huel was established in 2015 with a focus on developing nutritionally complete food products designed to streamline meal preparation while delivering essential nutrients. The company, headquartered in Hertfordshire, has experienced substantial expansion since its founding, diversifying its offerings to encompass ready meals, nutrition bars, and plant-based health drinks. The brand has also attracted notable figures, including television personality and podcaster Steven Bartlett, who previously served as a director.
Danone’s existing portfolio spans multiple product categories and geographic markets. The company currently markets baby milk formulas including Aptamil and Cow & Gate, yogurt products such as Activia and Actimel, and water brands including Evian and Volvic across the United Kingdom and internationally. The company stated that the acquisition would strengthen its position within the nutrition sector while enabling Huel to pursue its expansion objectives in international markets.
Danone indicated that the acquisition aligns with its strategic mission to enhance consumer health through food products. A company representative noted that Huel’s competency in comprehensive nutrition complements Danone’s established background in functional nutrition. The spokesperson emphasized that the transaction remains contingent upon final completion procedures.
Huel has faced regulatory scrutiny in the past, with the UK advertising standards authority issuing bans against certain promotional campaigns for containing misleading assertions about product claims.
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