The UK competition watchdog has officially cleared the £860 million acquisition of the British nutrition company Huel by the French food giant Danone. The regulatory approval removes the final major hurdle for the deal, which integrates the popular protein-based meal replacement brand into Danone’s extensive portfolio of health and wellness products.

Huel, which gained significant market traction through direct-to-consumer sales and social media marketing, has been a notable player in the functional food sector. The acquisition is viewed as a strategic move by Danone to capture a larger share of the growing market for plant-based and high-protein nutrition.

While the financial terms of the deal have been confirmed at £860 million, the integration process is expected to begin immediately. The acquisition has drawn attention not only for its scale but also for the high-profile figures associated with the brand, including entrepreneur and podcaster Steven Bartlett, who previously served as a director for Huel. The regulatory clearance suggests that the watchdog found no significant competition concerns that would prevent the merger from proceeding.