Nestlé has entered into negotiations with the Parisian private equity group FNB over the sale of its baby food unit in France.

In a statement, the Swiss giant's French arm confirmed it intends to hand over its line of baby products which are produced in and exported globally from France.

These include NaturNes baby pots, flavoured cereal powders Babicao and Babivanille, and P'tit yogurt pots, but will not feature its infant formula line.

The Chocopic cereal maker said the sale would allow it to drive more resources to its infant formulas, which it described as "a strategic and historical pillar for the group."

Financial details of the potential sale were not revealed.

The deal is expected to close by the first half of 2024, subject to "a mandatory consultation period with staff representatives, regulatory approval and the negotiation of sale agreements."

Around 230 people work in the production and marketing of the affected baby food brands, which takes place at sites in Issy-les-Moulineaux and Arches.

The transaction would "have no impact on the jobs concerned", the company said.

"It also would not change the company’s relationship with its customers, partners or local suppliers."

Jobs at the baby food plants in Issy-les-Moulineaux and Arches "will continue to operate fully as part of Nestlé Group", until FnB and Nestlé France have finalised an agreement.

The sale would mark FnB's second scoop of a Nestlé France business. In 2022, the investment group secured the mashed potato brand Mousline for an unknown figure.

Last June, the private equity fund also entered the drinks market, bagging a majority stake in coffee supplier Cafés Legal.

FnB was unable to comment on the news at the time of writing.