Sydney, April 18 - Australian dairy and juice producer National Foods, owned by Japanese brewer Kirin Holdings, has sought regulatory clearance for its bid for milk and cheese producer Dairy Farmers, Dairy Farmers said on Friday.
Sources told Reuters last month that National Foods had made a bid, in a deal that could be worth up to $935 million. Dairy Farmers said National Foods had asked the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) whether it would have any concerns over the bid.
Dairy Farmers Chief Executive Rob Gordon said in a statement other bidders with dairy operations may approach the ACCC in coming weeks for similar advice.
"Dairy Farmers Board has requested interested bidders seek the necessary regulatory clearances, including ACCC reviews, prior to it formally assessing proposals," Gordon said.
Dairy Farmers, which is owned by some 2,000 Australian farmers and makes Dairy Farmers brand milk, Coon cheese and Ski yoghurt, put itself up for sale last month.
It has said there has been wide interest in a deal, which could be worth between A$800 million and A$1 billion ($748-935 million).
First-round offers in the sale process, which is being run by Goldman Sachs JB Were, have closed. Dairy Farmers will assess the bids before inviting second and final offers.
Analysts have said other potential bidders include unlisted New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra, Italy's Parmalat, Australian food group Goodman Fielder and Singapore's Olam International.
Parmalat said last week that it was looking at deals in Australia.
Kirin bought National Foods, whose brands include Pura milk, Big M flavoured milk and Yoplait yoghurt, in November for A$2.8 billion.