Unilever May Shed Its Weight Loss, Pasta Sauce Brands

Unilever acknowledged it is reviewing the sales performance of its SlimFast weight loss brand as well as its pasta sauces unit, which includes the Ragu brand. A company spokesman said the review could lead to a divestiture of the product lines, but “it doesn’t necessarily have to”. Purchased in 2000 for £1.4 billion, the SlimFast line was badly bruised by the rise of the Atkins low-carb products starting in 2003, and has recently felt the impact of Kellogg’s refocus of some of breakfast cereals as weight loss products. Industry experts say Unilever’s plan is to focus more tightly on its health and beauty businesses.