Anglo-Dutch consumer goods giant Unilever has cut its 2003 target sales growth rate for its top 400 brands to 4% from 5-6% after a slower-than-expected first-half performance.

Unilever, whose food brands include Knorr and Hellmann’s, said in a second-quarter trading update that it still expects to meet its 2003 earnings target of low double-digit percentage growth, reported Reuters.

The company said second-quarter sales growth of its top brands would be around 3%, similar to its first quarter.