A Chinese state-backed food company has renewed its hunger for British brands by holding talks to buy cereal business Weetabix, it has been reported.

New bidders are being sought for Jaffa Cakes and Hobnobs firm United Biscuits after talks with a Chinese food giant hit the buffers, it was reported today.

The maker of upmarket Kettle Chips has been sold to a US snack firm after an auction valuing the business at more than £400m (€448m).

Economic gloom and a huge jobs cull from banking giant Citigroup cast a pall over the London market today.

Banking stocks were among the heavy fallers in London today as recession fears again dominated the thoughts of investors.

FOOD giant United Biscuits is recalling five brands of bourbon creams following fears the treats could contain 1cm-long pieces of metal wire.

Fox’s Biscuits owner Northern Foods said today it was out of the auction for Burton’s Foods – the firm behind Wagon Wheels and Maryland Cookies.

McVitie’s and Jacob’s owner United Biscuits agreed today to a £1.6bn (€2.4bn) takeover by a consortium made up of two private equity firms.

McVitie’s and Jacob’s owner United Biscuits agreed today to a £1.6bn (€2.4bn) takeover by two private equity firms.

Hopes of consolidation among water utilities drove the London market forwards today after Anglian Water owner AWG said it had received an approach from a potential bidder.

Premier Foods showed no signs of bid indigestion today after confirming interest in the UK maker of brands such as McVitie’s, Jaffa Cakes and KP.

Potato chip maker Kettle Foods was today bought by Lion Capital as part of a move to create the UK’s second-biggest snack business.

Stocks in the US finished an uneasy session mixed today as investors grew nervous ahead of the second-quarter earnings season. Weakness in the technology sector dragged on the Nasdaq composite index.

Foods giant Kraft was today believed to have struck a £575m (€831m) deal to acquire part of United Biscuits (UB), the UK-based maker of Jaffa Cakes.

The future of Fox’s Biscuits will become clearer today when owner Northern Foods announces a review of its business operations.

The FTSE 100 Index powered back towards the 6100 mark today with gains that nearly wiped out some of last week’s losses of more than 100 points.

Steady gains by miners put the London market on the front foot today as the FTSE 100 Index looked to claw back losses after a disappointing end to April.

Branston owner Premier Foods confirmed today it was looking at potential deals amid speculation it could swoop for the McVitie’s and Jaffa Cakes brands.

Foods giant Heinz was today said to be reconsidering the sale of its European frozen foods business after failing to attract the price it wanted.

Two of the brands rescued from crisp maker Golden Wonder were sold on to the owner of Hula Hoops and KP nuts today.

Irish Biscuits, the maker of Kimberly and Mikados, is being sold off.

FRENCH food and dairy group Danone yesterday confirmed it is planning to sell its Irish Biscuits subsidiary.

French food group Danone is in advanced talks to sell its Jacob’s Irish biscuits business, according to Saturday’s Financial Times newspaper.

Biscuit and snack group United Biscuits is creating 200 jobs as part of a £10m (€14m) revamp of a McVities plant, the UK firm announced today.

Biting into a biscuit could give away your personality, with the choice revealing character traits and approaches to work, research claimed today.

Sales of Hula-Hoops, Jaffa Cakes and other products made by United Biscuits reached £1.3bn (€1.9bn) in the last year, it emerged today.