Danone Acquires Huel in Reported €1 Billion Nutrition Deal

French food and beverage company Danone is acquiring UK-based meal replacement brand Huel in a deal reported to be worth approximately €1 billion.

The acquisition signals a significant strategic move by a global food industry leader into the rapidly expanding "complete nutrition" market. This transaction places Danone at the forefront of a category that merges convenience with functional health benefits, a sector that is quickly moving from a niche consumer base to mainstream adoption. For Danone, the deal is a key component of its "Renew Danone" strategy, aimed at strengthening its portfolio in high-growth health and wellness categories. The immediate consequence is the combination of Huel's strong direct-to-consumer model and digital expertise with Danone's extensive global reach, research capabilities, and distribution infrastructure.

What We Know So Far

• The Acquisition: French multinational Danone has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Huel, a UK-based company specializing in nutritionally complete food products.
• The Price: The deal is widely reported to be valued at approximately €1 billion (US$1.2 billion), according to multiple financial news outlets including Food Ingredients First. This valuation makes it one of the largest transactions in the complete nutrition sector to date.
• Strategic Rationale: The acquisition aligns with Danone's "Renew Danone" corporate strategy, which focuses on accelerating growth by expanding its presence in functional and specialized nutrition categories.
• Huel's Financials: For its 2025 fiscal year, Huel is expected to report revenues exceeding £250 million, a significant increase from £214 million the previous year, as reported by Nutraceutical Business Review.
• Future Operations: Huel is expected to operate as an autonomous business unit within Danone. According to Food & Drink Business, CEO James McMaster will remain in his role, reporting to Danone's European leadership.
• Next Steps: The transaction is now subject to customary closing conditions, which include receiving all necessary regulatory approvals before it can be finalized.