NETHERLANDS – Dutch dairy Wessanen said this week that it is considering acquiring Swiss pharmaceutical firm Novartis’ health and nutrition brands.

In a statement, Wessanen board member Koos Kramer told the Reuters news agency: “We are interested [in buying those brands] based on the information we currently have”. The portfolio includes the Ovaltine, Isotar and Powerplay brands.

The news follows a Novartis announcement on 4 February, which said that the company planned to divest its health and functional foods business within six to 12 months. Novartis will retain its Gerber baby food brand.

At the time, Novartis chief executive Daniel Vasella said: “Our health and functional foods brands are strong and well established and we believe their growth can be accelerated in companies where it is a good strategic fit.”