Why The Parent Company Of Ben & Jerry's Spent $140 Million On A Fancy Ketchup Company

Unilever, the consumer goods giant that owns brands such as Ben & Jerry's and Lipton, has recently agreed to bet big on a fancy condiments company — and it cost the company $140 million. According to the company, it hopes to "re-energize" the business through the acquisition, Bloomberg reported.

Sir Kensington's, which is based in the United Kingdom, carries products such as mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard. One of its most notable products is its Fabanaise, a vegan-certified mayonnaise made with sunflower oil and aquafaba, a natural egg substitute made from chick peas and water, according to the company website.

By making the agreement to purchase Sir Kensington's, Unilever says it hopes to build up its name in the sustainable products category.

"Their mission to bring 'integrity and charm to ordinary and overlooked food' is very much in line with our Unilever Sustainable Living Plan," Kees Kruythoff, president of Unilever in North America, told Bloomberg.