Reckitt seeks to sell off its infant formula business         

British consumer goods company's shares are boosted by its review of its baby formula unit — but it may be a 'hard sell'

Competition issues could prevent Nestlé or Abbott Laboratories from bidding for Reckitt's baby formula business. Stock picture

Reckitt Benckiser is reviewing its baby food unit and its is weighing up its options including a potential sale — a move that has boosted the shares of the maker of Lysol.

The British consumer goods company, which sells brands including Enfamil formula, is reviewing the business globally and has been informally gauging buyer interest in the operations. The unit could be worth £5.5bn (€6.6bn) to £6.5bn, according to an estimate by Barclays analyst Warren Ackerman.