In a significant move to dominate the healthy-aging and nutrition market, Reliance Consumer Products Ltd (RCPL), the FMCG arm of Reliance Industries, announced on February 10, 2026, that it has acquired a 100% stake in the Tamil Nadu-based Southern Health Foods Private Ltd (SHFPL).
The deal, valued at ₹156.42 crore, brings the popular health food brand ‘Manna’ into the Reliance portfolio.
Deal Snapshot: Reliance x Manna Foods
The all-cash transaction was finalized on February 10, with the acquisition becoming effective as of February 9, 2026.
| Metric | Details |
| Acquirer | Reliance Consumer Products Ltd (RCPL) |
| Target Company | Southern Health Foods Pvt Ltd (SHFPL) |
| Flagship Brand | Manna |
| Deal Value | ₹156.42 crore (All-cash) |
| Stake Acquired | 100% (Wholly-owned subsidiary) |
| Target Turnover (FY25) | ₹109.40 crore |
Strategic Rationale: The “Millet-First” Vertical
Reliance is aggressively building a “health and wellness” pillar within its FMCG business to compete with legacy giants like Nestlé, HUL, and ITC.
1. Strengthening the Staples Portfolio
Manna joins a growing list of regional powerhouses acquired by Reliance, including Udhaiyam (pulses), Independence (staples), and SiL (jams and sauces). The goal is to offer “global quality at affordable prices.”
2. Dominance in the Millet Segment
Manna is a household name in South India for millet-based products. This acquisition allows Reliance to capitalize on the “International Year of Millets” momentum and the rising consumer shift toward traditional, high-fiber Indian grains.
3. Scaling Regional to National
Currently, Manna has a strong presence in Tamil Nadu and adjoining southern states. Reliance plans to use its massive pan-India distribution network and R&D capabilities to make Manna a household name across North and West India.
What Does Manna Manufacture?
Southern Health Foods has been operating for over two decades. Its product range is highly specialized in “Better-For-You” categories:
- Millet-Based Products: Millet flour, staples, and health mixes.
- Baby Food: A growing segment where Manna has high trust and brand recall.
- Health Drinks: Multigrain drink mixes and nutrition drinks like iStrong (for women) and Go Grains (for kids).
- Breakfast Cereals: Oats, muesli, and multigrain flakes.
The Broader FMCG War
This acquisition is part of a larger spree by Reliance. Just one week prior, RCPL acquired a majority stake in the Australia-based Goodness Group Global (owners of ‘Better-For-You’ beverages). By locking in regional leaders like Manna, Reliance is rapidly closing the gap in the packaged foods market, which is projected to reach $225 billion by 2033.
“Manna is one of the most trusted names in the health-focused foods market… this addition will help us serve consumers the best nutritious foods.” — T. Krishnakumar, Director, RCPL
