Unilever Israel
The Israeli subsidiary of Unilever, supplying food, personal-care, home-care, and household products through local manufacturing and distribution.
Last updated August 31, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Unilever Israel is the Israeli operating subsidiary of Unilever, the British multinational consumer-goods group. It sells a broad portfolio of food, ice cream, personal-care, household-cleaning, and home-care products in the Israeli market. Its local assortment combines internationally recognized Unilever brands such as Knorr, Hellmann’s, Dove, AXE, Vaseline, Cif, and Lipton with brands developed or historically established in Israel, including Telma, Klik, Vered HaGalil, Bagel Bagel, Strauss Ice Cream, Pinuk, Badin, Patit, and 778. Unilever’s commercial presence in the area began in 1938 through food production. Its early local activity centered on a margarine factory in Haifa established in cooperation with Dr. Arnold Hildesheimer. The business initially operated under the Blue Band name and was renamed TAMI, or TAMI–Eretz Israel Food Products, in 1939. The company’s public identity was shaped in part by the Arab League boycott of Israel: the local operation avoided emphasizing its connection to the multinational parent and ownership arrangements were altered during the period of regional political pressure. TAMI later became part of the Bestfoods structure. Unilever entered Israel’s personal-care sector more directly in 1996 by acquiring Vitco, an Israeli company that was subsequently associated with the Lever name. In the same year, Unilever formed a partnership with the Strauss Group in ice cream. The food and personal-care businesses were brought together after Unilever’s acquisition of Bestfoods and related food operations. In 2002, TAMI Bestfoods and Lever were consolidated under the Unilever Israel name, creating a more unified local organization across food, beauty, and home care. The company expanded its local control during the following decade. In 2010, it obtained full ownership of Bagel Bagel and increased its holding in Strauss Ice Cream to 90 percent. In early 2014, it acquired the remaining Strauss Ice Cream shares, giving it complete ownership of that business. The local portfolio consequently included both manufacturing-intensive categories, such as cereal, chocolate snacks, ice cream, soups, sauces, and spreads, and imported or locally marketed personal-care and cleaning products. As of 2022, Unilever Israel was described as Israel’s sixth-largest consumer-goods company. Approximately 85 percent of its products were locally produced, according to the referenced company profile. The operation employed about 2,000 people across four production sites, distribution centers, sales and marketing systems, and related infrastructure. Its factories were located in Safed, Acre, Arad, and Haifa. Safed produced chocolate, bagels, and sweet snacks; Acre produced ice cream and Krembo products; Arad produced cereals; and Haifa produced soups, seasoning powders, spreads, sauces, and selected personal-care and cleaning products. Unilever Israel has also faced important product-safety and consumer-transparency incidents. In 2016, a salmonella-related disruption involving Telma breakfast cereals led to product withdrawals and shortages. The company initially stated that its products were safe, then acknowledged contamination after a delay. Reports that the issue had not promptly been reported to the Israeli Ministry of Health contributed to criticism and a fine of NIS 594,000 from the Israel Consumer Protection and Fair Trade Authority. In 2022, during a wider salmonella episode involving Israeli dairy production, Unilever Israel recalled certain Strauss Ice Cream products even though it said its own testing had not found contamination in those products. Unilever Israel remains an active local subsidiary rather than a separately listed company. As of 2024, its chief executive was Arnon Shapira. The business’s market role is that of a large, diversified fast-moving consumer-goods operator, combining global brand standards with Israeli production, distribution, and market-specific brand management.
History
Unilever’s presence in Israel dates to 1938, when it entered the local food sector through a margarine factory in Haifa established with Dr. Arnold Hildesheimer. The operation initially used the Blue Band name. In 1939 it was renamed TAMI–Eretz Israel Food Products, a business that later became associated with the Telma brand. Regional political pressure and the Arab League boycott influenced the company’s public identity and ownership arrangements, with the local business avoiding overt reference to its multinational parent for a period. In 1992, CPC International acquired a majority stake in TAMI and later acquired the remaining shares, renaming the company TAMI Bestfoods. Unilever’s first major move into Israeli personal care came in 1996, when it acquired Vitco and subsequently operated the business under the Lever name. That year Unilever also entered an ice-cream partnership with the Strauss Group, creating a significant local platform in frozen desserts. The food and personal-care activities were consolidated after Unilever acquired control of Bestfoods and its associated food interests. In 2002, TAMI Bestfoods and Lever were combined and renamed Unilever Israel. The merger gave the Israeli subsidiary a unified structure covering food, beauty, and household products while retaining locally familiar brands and manufacturing capabilities. Ownership of major local businesses increased during the 2010s. Unilever obtained full ownership of Bagel Bagel in 2010 and raised its interest in Strauss Ice Cream to 90 percent. In early 2014 it purchased the remaining Strauss Ice Cream shares, completing the acquisition of the ice-cream operation. Unilever Israel developed a four-site manufacturing footprint. The Safed plant produces chocolate, bagels, and sweet snacks such as Klik and products associated with Vered HaGalil and Bagel Bagel. The Acre site produces ice cream and Krembo products. The Arad plant manufactures cereals including Telma, Kifli, and Fitness. The Haifa plant produces soups, seasoning powders, spreads, sauces, and selected personal-care and cleaning products, including items marketed under Knorr, Telma, Hellmann’s, Pinuk, Badin, and Cif. The company’s most prominent public controversy occurred in 2016. A salmonella problem involving Telma breakfast cereals caused shortages and withdrawals. Unilever Israel initially told consumers that its products were safe, but acknowledged the contamination two days later. Subsequent reporting said the company had known about the issue for approximately a month and had not informed the Israeli Ministry of Health in a timely manner. The episode led to criticism of the company’s transparency, contaminated products reaching consumers, and a NIS 594,000 fine from the Israel Consumer Protection and Fair Trade Authority. In 2022, Unilever Israel recalled some Strauss Ice Cream products amid a salmonella case involving Israeli dairies. The company stated that its own testing had not found contamination in the recalled products. By 2022, the subsidiary was described as Israel’s sixth-largest consumer-goods company, with roughly 2,000 employees and approximately 85 percent of products locally produced. Its headquarters are in Airport City. As of 2024, Arnon Shapira was identified as chief executive.
- 2022
Strauss Ice Cream recall
[1]Selected ice-cream products were recalled during a wider salmonella incident involving Israeli dairy production.
- 2016
Telma cereal salmonella crisis
[1]A salmonella contamination episode led to cereal withdrawals, shortages, regulatory criticism, and a consumer-protection fine.
- 2014
Strauss Ice Cream becomes wholly owned
[1]Unilever purchased the remaining shares of Strauss Ice Cream, completing its acquisition of the business.
- 2010
Expanded ownership of local brands
[1]Unilever obtained full ownership of Bagel Bagel and increased its stake in Strauss Ice Cream to 90 percent.
- 2002
Unilever Israel is formed
[1]TAMI Bestfoods and Lever were consolidated after Unilever’s Bestfoods-related expansion, creating the Unilever Israel entity.
- 1996
Entry into personal care and ice cream partnership
[1]Unilever acquired Vitco for personal care and entered a partnership with Strauss Group in the ice-cream business.
- 1992
CPC International acquires TAMI
[1]CPC International acquired 51 percent of TAMI and later completed the acquisition, renaming the company TAMI Bestfoods.
- 1939
Blue Band operation becomes TAMI
[1]The local food business changed its name from Blue Band to TAMI–Eretz Israel Food Products, later associated with Telma.
- 1938
Unilever begins Israeli food operations
[1]A margarine factory was established in Haifa in cooperation with Dr. Arnold Hildesheimer, marking Unilever’s first operating presence in the area.
Products and positioning
A large, locally manufacturing Israeli consumer-goods subsidiary that combines Unilever’s international brand portfolio with established Israeli food and household brands.
Food and breakfast cereals · 1947
Telma
Telma is Unilever Israel’s historic local food brand, originating from the TAMI business. Its range includes breakfast cereals and other foods, with cereal production centered at the Arad factory. The brand is one of the best-known Israeli names in the subsidiary’s portfolio.
Ice cream and frozen desserts · 1996
Strauss Ice Cream
Strauss Ice Cream is the Israeli ice-cream business developed through Unilever’s partnership with Strauss Group. Unilever began the relationship in 1996, raised its ownership to 90 percent in 2010, and acquired the remaining shares in 2014. Production is associated with the Acre facility and includes ice cream and Krembo products.
Bakery snacks and bagels · 1880
Bagel Bagel
Bagel Bagel is a local bakery-snack brand producing bagels and related savory snack products. Unilever obtained full ownership in 2010, and the brand is manufactured within the company’s Israeli food network, including production associated with Safed.
Chocolate and confectionery · 1986
Klik
Klik is a chocolate and sweet-snack brand manufactured in Israel. It forms part of the Safed production portfolio and represents Unilever Israel’s locally developed confectionery business rather than a purely imported international label.
Chocolate · 1986
Vered HaGalil
Vered HaGalil is an Israeli chocolate brand included in Unilever Israel’s snack and confectionery portfolio. Products associated with the brand are manufactured at the Safed site alongside other chocolate and sweet-snack lines.
Soups, seasonings, sauces, and prepared foods · 1838
Knorr
Knorr is Unilever’s international food brand for soups, seasoning products, sauces, and related cooking products. In Israel, portions of the range are produced locally, particularly through the Haifa manufacturing operation.
Condiments and spreads
Hellmann’s and Best Foods
Hellmann’s and Best Foods cover mayonnaise, sauces, spreads, and related food products. The brands became part of Unilever Israel’s consolidated food portfolio through Unilever’s acquisition and integration of Bestfoods operations.
Personal care
Dove
Dove is an international Unilever personal-care brand marketed in Israel. Its presence complements locally established personal-care labels and gives the subsidiary a global portfolio in skin care, cleansing, and beauty-related categories.
Household cleaning
Cif
Cif is an international household-cleaning brand marketed by Unilever Israel. Cif products are included among the cleaning lines associated with the Haifa production and operating network.
Controversies
2022
Strauss Ice Cream recall during dairy salmonella case
Unilever Israel recalled selected Strauss Ice Cream products during a broader salmonella incident affecting Israeli dairies. The company stated that its own tests had not identified contamination in the recalled products.
2016
Telma cereal salmonella crisis
A salmonella contamination problem involving Telma breakfast cereals resulted in shortages and product withdrawals. Unilever Israel initially described its products as safe, then acknowledged contamination two days later. Reports that the company had not promptly notified the Ministry of Health led to criticism over transparency and a NIS 594,000 consumer-protection fine.
Brand decisions
2016
Cereal recall and product-safety responseOtherBackground
Salmonella was detected in products associated with Telma breakfast cereals after an initial public denial of quality problems.
Action taken
Unilever Israel acknowledged the contamination and withdrew affected products from the market.
Aftermath
The episode caused shortages, reputational damage, regulatory scrutiny, and a NIS 594,000 fine.
Consumer-protection fine. NIS 594,000 (2016)
2014
Completion of Strauss Ice Cream acquisitionM&ABackground
Unilever had operated with Strauss Group in the ice-cream business since 1996 and held 90 percent after its 2010 investment.
Action taken
Unilever acquired the remaining shares of Strauss Ice Cream.
Aftermath
Strauss Ice Cream became wholly owned by Unilever and remained a central part of local frozen-dessert manufacturing.
2010
Increase in local food ownershipM&ABackground
Unilever already held interests in Israeli food businesses and operated through partnerships and acquired brands.
Action taken
The company took full ownership of Bagel Bagel and increased its stake in Strauss Ice Cream to 90 percent.
Aftermath
The moves strengthened Unilever Israel’s control over locally produced bakery snacks and ice cream.
2002
Consolidation under the Unilever Israel nameStrategyBackground
Unilever had food operations inherited through TAMI Bestfoods and personal-care operations associated with Lever.
Action taken
The two local sectors were merged into a single organization named Unilever Israel.
Aftermath
The consolidation created an integrated Israeli subsidiary spanning food, personal care, and household products.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/unilever-israel · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled