The U.K. Competition and Markets Authority has cleared Danone’s $1.2 billion acquisition of Huel, the plant-based meal-replacement brand, after concluding the deal would not significantly reduce competition in the country.
The regulator opened an initial probe earlier to assess potential antitrust concerns but determined that further investigation was unnecessary based on the evidence gathered. The clearance paves the way for Danone to complete the purchase, which was announced earlier this year.
Huel, a British company, specializes in powdered and drink-based meal replacements marketed as nutritionally complete plant-based alternatives. Danone, the French multinational behind brands such as Activia yogurt and Evian water, first disclosed its intention to acquire the company in a deal valued at $1.2 billion.
