Food group Kerry has bought US company QA Products for an undisclosed sum.

The acquisition of QA Products, which was bought from Netherlands-based CSM, will increase Kerry's footprint in the US market, which currently accounts for about 28 per cent of its global group sales. In 2006, revenue at the group totalled more than €4.6 billion.

"Kerry has consistently grown its business through a series of bolt-on acquisitions. This is a further important acquisition to our sweet ingredients business in the US," said Frank Hayes, director of corporate affairs.

Illinois-based QA Products, which manufactures decorations for the food industry, currently has sales of €24 million, and employs 165 people.

Under the deal, all employees will be retained by the group. "It's a relatively small acquisition but an important one," said Mr Hayes.

The firm is considered an important supplier of sweet ingredients to the dairy, bakery and confectionary sectors.

The group has business interests in Europe, North America, South America, Australia, New Zealand and Asia, and describes its operations in the US as "sizeable".