Slough-based Reckitt Benckiser has completed its $4.2bn (£3.2bn) sale of its food business to the US owner of the Schwartz herbs and spices brand.
Lawrence Kurzius, chief executive at McCormick, said the purchase would enable the company "to become a one-stop shop for condiment, spice and seasoning needs".
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Reckitt's food business includes French's mustard and boasts profit margins that are "high by industry standards" at nearly 29 per cent. It made £152m in pre-tax earnings last year.
However, despite it's "history of outperformance", the unit was "nevertheless non-core", said the company.
Rakesh Kapoor, chief executive, said the sale took Reckitt another step closer to becoming a "global leader in consumer health and hygiene", reports the BBC.
It already owns the likes of Durex condoms, Nurofen painkillers and Cillit Bang bathroom cleaner brands and in February, agreed a $17.9bn (£13.8bn) buyout of baby formula-maker Mead Johnson.
The BBC says the sale will "pay off debt" taken on to complete the Mead Johnson deal.
Reckitt's shares were up 1.4 per cent to £79.21 this afternoon.
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