Unilever, plans to sell its Italian frozen food business Findus Italy for up to 800 million euro. It is expected to start welcoming takeover bids this month.

Findus Italy, a producer of ready-meal carbonara and bolognese dishes, emerged as a disposal candidate in December. At the time  it was reported that Goldman Sachs was working with Unilever on the sale. Financial reports have linked private equity firms Permira and Lion Capital, which own Birds Eye Iglo and Findus Group, to the deal. The auction could attract other buyout firms, in particular those with existing investments in food industry.