Condiments maker Heinz has announced it is planning a sale of its frozen ready meals plant in Ireland to The Authentic Food Co.

The proposed deal – an agreement in principle – includes a three-year co-pack arrangement for The Authentic Food Co. to continue to manufacture Weight Watchers from Heinz, Ross and Heinz Big frozen ready meals for Heinz. Heinz said it planned to work closely with the buyer to “further develop the Weight Watchers from Heinz range, in addition to reviewing future opportunities for Heinz in frozen”.

In a statement, Heinz added all 155 staff are expected to transfer to The Authentic Food Co. as part of the new ownership.

Terms of the proposed deal were not disclosed.