Reliance Consumer Products acquires ‘Manna’ brand

Chennai: Marking its entry into the health foods segment, Reliance Consumer Products Ltd (RCPL), the FMCG arm of Reliance Industries Ltd, has acquired Chennai-based Southern Health Foods, which markets nutritious products under the ‘Manna' brand. The financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed. The move comes just two months after RCPL acquired a majority stake in another Tamil Nadu-based nutrition company, Udhaiyams Agro Foods. In a statement issued on Tuesday, T Krishnakumar, director, RCPL, said Manna is well known for its range of healthy offerings, including millet-based staples and mixes, beverages, and baby food products. Describing it as a trusted brand in Tamil Nadu with a growing presence in neighbouring states, he added, "With our strong distribution network, R&D capabilities and supply chain strength, we aim to make these products available across the country."Southern Health Foods specialises in packaged health foods such as millets, oats, multigrain products, health mixes, breakfast cereals and dry fruits. Its flagship brand, Manna, has built a strong presence in emerging packaged health food categories, particularly millet flour, baby food and multigrain drink mixes.