Anglo-Dutch food and personal care company Unilever has declined to comment on speculation it is to sell off its weight loss brand, SlimFast.
According to Sky News, the company is in the early stages of examining whether to divest of the brand.
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Unilever said it could not comment on speculation or rumour when approached by just-food.
Unilever acquired SlimFast in 2000 in a $2.4bn deal. SlimFast, best known for its powdered diet drinks, holds 45% of the American market for health and weight loss foods. At the time of purchase, Unilever said this was the fastest growing sector in the US health food business.
Unilever has embarked on a strategy of streamlining its non-core operations as it increases its focus on “fewer bigger brands”. Last year, the group divested a number of food businesses including peanut butter brand Skippy and dressings unit Wishbone.
Speaking to analysts on a conference call yesterday (21 January) CEO Paul Polman said that the group would continue to prune its portfolio in the coming 12 months.
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By GlobalDataClick here for more on Unilever’s strategy to drive growth in its foods business through an increased focus.
