Chinese food group Bright Food is in talks to purchase UK-based United Biscuits, according to reports.

It is understood that the deal, which would be the largest-ever overseas acquisition by a Chinese company in the food industry, would be worth around US$3.2bn, Reuters reported today (27 September).

The board of United Biscuits allegedly gave its private-equity owners, Blackstone and PAI Partners, permission in July to sell the business.

Shanghai-based Bright Food controls four listed companies, including Bright Dairy & Food Co.

“Bright Food is now in talks about buying United Biscuits,” Chen Chunshan, a company spokesman, told Bloomberg.

Bright Food and United Biscuits could not be reached for immediate comment.