Danone’s $1.2 billion acquisition of Huel is under investigation by UK antitrust authorities
Deadline for results of first phase of regulator's review set for September 11 Danone reached an agreement earlier this year to acquire plant-based meal replacement powder and meal replacement food brand Huel. The UK Competition and Markets Authority has launched its first round of merger and acquisition antitrust investigation into Danone's proposed $1.2 billion acquisition of Huel. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the UK's antitrust regulator, has launched a preliminary merger review into Danone's (ticker: BN, down 0.84%) US$1.2 billion acquisition of Huel to assess whether the deal will weaken competition in the UK domestic market. Danone is a French food company that owns Biyo yogurt, Evian mineral water and other brands. At the beginning of this year, it finalized the acquisition of this British manufacturer of plant-based meal replacement powders and meal replacement products. The Competition and Markets Authority said on Wednesday that the deadline for ruling on the first round of this investigation is September 11, when the regulator will determine whether the merger needs to be transferred to the second stage for a more detailed and in-depth review. The British Competition and Markets Authority launched an information collection and assessment process as early as May to solicit opinions from relevant stakeholders to understand the potential impact of the acquisition on the competitive landscape of the British market.