McCormick & Company, Inc. has dismissed Ernst & Young LLP (EY) as its independent registered public accounting firm. The dismissal, approved by the company's Audit Committee on September 24, 2026, is effective upon the filing of McCormick's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2026.
The company stated that EY is not expected to be considered independent with respect to McCormick under Securities and Exchange Commission rules following the anticipated closing of a transaction announced on March 31, 2026. Under the terms of that agreement, Unilever PLC is transferring its foods business to McCormick.
McCormick noted that the audit reports of EY on the company's consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2024, and November 30, 2025, did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion. Additionally, there were no disagreements between the company and EY on accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope during those periods.
Following a request for proposals process, the Audit Committee approved the engagement of KPMG LLP as the new independent registered public accounting firm. KPMG will serve for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2027, effective upon EY's dismissal.
EY provided a letter dated September 28, 2026, agreeing with the statements made by McCormick in this report. A copy of that letter is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
