Products including Pepperidge Farm cookies, crackers and breads in the US and Arnott's biscuits in Australia and Asia Pacific have resulted in sales of $489m.

A company spokesperson said: "Sales of Pepperidge Farm increased due to higher volumes and the acquisition of Ecce Panis, Inc., partially offset by increased promotional spending.

"Excluding the acquisition of Ecce Panis, sales from the bakery business decreased, reflecting higher promotional spending, partly offset by increased volumes. In the cookies and crackers business, sales increased reflecting the continued solid growth of Goldfish snack crackers, partly offset by a decline in cookies."

Both savoury and sweet biscuit products in the Arnott's range also drove sales up.