Deals of the day-Mergers and acquisitions

March 31 (Reuters) - The following bids, mergers, acquisitions and disposals were reported by 1330 GMT on Tuesday:

Unilever ULVR.L said it will merge its food business with spice maker McCormick MKC.N in the second-largest food transaction in history, a deal that will create a company worth roughly $65 billion. nL6N40J0DU

Howden announced that it has agreed to acquire the insurance and financial services consulting team (IFS) of Hymans Robertson, launching Howden Insurance Actuarial & Longevity (Howden IAL). nL6N40J18S

MAI Capital Management said that funds managed by investment firm Carlyle Group CG.O will buy a majority stake in a deal valuing the wealth management firm at more than $2.8 billion.

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Eli Lilly LLY.N said it would buy Centessa Pharmaceuticals 260y.F in a deal valued at up to $7.8 billion as the U.S. drugmaker looks to diversify beyond its metabolic portfolio and expand into treatments for sleep disorders. nL4N40J0X9

Biogen BIIB.O has agreed to acquire Apellis Pharmaceuticals APLS.O for about $5.6 billion in cash, expanding its portfolio of rare-disease medicines, the companies said.nL4N40J0Y8

Optio Group said it has agreed to acquire London-based MGA Gardian Marine Ltd, expanding its marine specialty portfolio. nL6N40J0ZG

JC Flowers has entered into an agreement to acquire a controlling stake in Niyam Group and will also act as lead investor in Niyam Syndicate 2047, the private equity firm said.

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American Exchange Group (AXNY) entered an agreement on Monday to buy all the assets and liabilities of footwear maker Allbirds BIRD.O for $39 million. nL6N40J01Q

Sysco SYY.N said on Monday it would buy catering supplier Jetro Restaurant Depot in a $29  billion deal expanding the top U.S. food distributor's reach among price-conscious independent restaurants.nL6N40I0XU