French multinational food and beverage corporation Danone has secured regulatory clearance for its multi-million-euro acquisition of British meal replacement enterprise Huel. The Competition and Markets Authority concluded its review of the transaction, which is valued at roughly one billion euros, or approximately 864 million British pounds, without raising objections.

The Hertfordshire-based target company was established a decade ago by entrepreneur Julian Hearn, initially launching with a powdered product designed to be mixed into a nutritionally complete beverage. Over the subsequent years, the brand experienced significant expansion, broadening its catalogue to encompass plant-based ready meals, nutritional snack bars, and health drinks. The business also previously attracted high-profile backing, with entrepreneur and podcast host Steven Bartlett having served on its board of directors.

Danone initially reached an agreement to acquire the British nutrition brand earlier this year in March. The French conglomerate operates a vast UK portfolio that includes well-known consumer brands such as Aptamil and Cow & Gate baby milks, Activia and Actimel yoghurts, and Evian and Volvic bottled waters. Representatives for Danone indicated that the latest purchase will bolster the corporation's footprint within the health and nutritional sector, while simultaneously accelerating Huel's global ambitions and international reach.

In a statement following the regulatory decision, a Danone spokesperson expressed satisfaction with the outcome, describing the clearance as a significant step forward. The representative emphasized that Huel's specialization in complete nutrition aligns naturally with the buyer's long-standing focus on functional foods and health-oriented offerings. Although the regulatory hurdle has now been cleared, the transaction still requires final administrative completion before the takeover becomes official.

The British brand has occasionally encountered regulatory scrutiny outside of corporate transactions. The company previously faced challenges from the UK advertising regulator, which prohibited a number of its promotional campaigns over concerns regarding misleading claims. Despite these hurdles, the enterprise maintained its upward trajectory, culminating in the current buyout agreement with one of the world's largest food groups.

Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC News. Read the original report at BBC News.