Italian pasta group Barilla Holding SpA has acquired the 51% of the capital it did not already control in French bakery products firm, Harry’s SAS, for an undisclosed sum.

Barilla acquired the stake from Artal Luxembourg SA and the deal is scheduled to take effect from December 2003.

Harry’s, best known for its packaged pain de mie sweet bread, posted a turnover last year of almost €500m (US$568m) and employs 4000 staff.