FDBusiness.com

Unilever has agreed to sell its Culver Specialty Brands division, in the US and Canada for $325 million (Eur230 million) in cash to B&G Foods. The business being sold includes Mrs Dash salt-free branded seasoning blends, Molly McButter branded flavoured sprinkles, Sugar Twin branded sugar substitute, Bakers Joy branded baking spray and Static Guard branded anti-static spray. B&G Foods manufactures a diversified portfolio of shelf-stable foods across the US, Canada and Puerto Rico. The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approval, is expected to close this year.

Culver Specialty Brands, which came to Unilever with the acquisition of The Alberto Culver Company, generated revenue of approximately $90 million for the twelve months ending September 30th, 2011. Culver Specialty Brands products are manufactured at third-party facilities so no Unilever-owned plants are affected by this transaction. The deal is in line with Unilever’s continued focus on brands with global potential in core categories.