Adds sources saying Unilever did not bid for Thorne in paragraph 4

By Abigail Summerville, Richa Naidu and Amy-Jo Crowley

June 26 (Reuters) - Consumer health company Haleon HLN.L bid for U.S. supplements firm Thorne, sources said on Friday, at a time when Haleon has been hoping to expand in the roughly $70 billion U.S. supplements market.

Thorne, which LVMH-backed LVMH.PA private equity firm L Catterton acquired for $680 million in 2023, has been exploring a sale with investment bankers and attracted strategic interest, including a bid from Haleon, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Thorne, which sells dietary supplements including magnesium and omega-3, primarily in the United States, declined to comment. A spokesperson for Haleon, maker of Advil and Centrum vitamins, said the company did not comment on rumour or speculation. L Catterton did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Three sources said consumer goods company Unilever ULVR.L did not bid for Thorne. Unilever has been shifting towards beauty and wellbeing brands under CEO Fernando Fernandez.

The Financial Times reported earlier on Friday that Unilever was among several bidders for South Carolina-based Thorne. The FT said Thorne was valued at up to $4 billion.

Unilever did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Grand View Research estimated the U.S. dietary supplements market at $68.74 billion in 2025 and projected it would reach $131.08 billion by 2033