Reliance Consumer Products acquires Southern Health Foods to boost millet portfolio

Reliance Consumer Products Limited (RCPL) has acquired Southern Health Foods, a Tamil Nadu-based brand, for an undisclosed sum, as the Indian conglomerate accelerates its expansion into the health and wellness segment.

RCPL, the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) arm of Reliance Industries, said the acquisition would bolster its staples portfolio, specifically targeting the growing market for millet-based foods. Southern Health Foods, known for its flagship brand Manna, specialises in health mixes, baby foods, oats, and millet flours. The company has a significant foothold in Tamil Nadu and neighbouring southern states.

"Apart from adding muscle to RCPL’s packaged foods portfolio, Manna’s addition will help us serve consumers the best nutritious foods," T Krishnakumar, Director at RCPL, said in a statement.

Reliance intends to leverage its existing distribution and supply chain network to expand Manna’s presence from a regional player to a national brand, Krishnakumar added. The deal adds to Reliance's growing roster of food brands, which includes Independence, SiL, and the recently acquired brand Udhaiyam.

The deal comes amid a broader surge in demand for health-first and "better-for-you" products in India, where startups are capitalizing on a consumer shift toward healthier indulgence.

Just last week, consumer goods major Marico announced a definitive agreement to acquire a 60% stake in plant-based nutrition brand Cosmix for Rs 225.67 crore. The deal valued the digital-first brand at approximately Rs 375 crore and underscores the sector's heat, aligning with Marico's broader strategy to build a digital-first portfolio that already includes brands like Plix and True Elements.

Investment activity has mirrored this consumer interest. Earlier this month, clean-label brand The Whole Truth raised approximately $51 million in its Series D funding round led by Sofina and Sauce.vc as it gears for a possible public debut.

The scramble for healthier portfolios follows heightened scrutiny on India's food systems. A November 2025 report by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change highlighted that 89% of food items sampled in Indian stores were packaged or ultra-processed, contributing to a rise in non-communicable diseases and sparking calls for stricter front-of-pack labeling and regulation.