Sara Lee is in talks with potential buyers for its French baked goods unit, the company said yesterday.

A spokesman for Sara Lee's international operations confirmed there is "interest" but did not comment on the identity of potential buyers or the unit's value, reported just-food.

He said: "The unit is indeed in the process of being divested, but by policy we do not comment on the specifics. We do have interest but that is as far as we can go."

The sale of the French operation, called Eurodough, is part of the company's wider divestment of its international bakery units. Earlier this month it completed the sale of its fresh bakery business in Spain and Portugal to Mexican food giant Grupo Bimbo.

The Chicago Tribune, quoting sources, has linked private-equity firms Trilantic Capital Partners and Sagard with the unit, which has been valued at between EUR100m (US$140m) and EUR150m.

Trilantic and Sagard could not be reached for comment at time of writing.

Eurodough produces ready-to-cook pastry products and has three production sites in France.

In January, Sara Lee announced the company would split into two - a North American grocery retail and foodservice business and an international beverage maker.