Feb 13, 2006 9:13 AM, from staff and wire reports

Unilever is planning to sell most of its European frozen foods businesses, including four manufacturing plants.

Aimed at restoring growth to the firm's European operations, this proposed sale will include four processing plants in the United Kingdom and Germany that have about 3,500 employees. Also included is the entire frozen food portfolio under the Birds Eye and Iglo brands. Unilever has frozen foods operations in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

Unilever intends to keep its Italian frozen food operation, which has performed more profitably.