Marmite maker Unilever in talks to merge food business with US-based McCormick

Group, which also owns Dove and Hellmann's, will focus more on personal care products if deal agreed

Unilever, the owner of Marmite, Dove and Hellmann's mayonnaise, is in talks to combine its food business with the US-based spice and seasoning maker McCormick.

The Anglo-Dutch food company - which last year spun off its ice-cream division, the home to Ben & Jerry's, Magnum and Wall's - has entered discussions over the future of the highly attractive" business.