Equity firms cooking up merger plan

Some of Britain’s best- known food brands, including Bird’s custard and Ragu pasta sauce, could reportedly become culinary bedfellows under plans to create a new food giant.

Several private equity firms are looking to buy two collections of brands from Premier Foods and Symington’s and merge them under one banner, media reports said.

Premier Foods is considering the sale of Robertson’s marmalade, Angel Delight, Bird’s and Sarson’s vinegar, while Symington’s is selling Ragu, Aunt Bessie’s and rights to Campbell’s soups in Britain and Ireland.