Nestlé SA has granted Australia's Vesco Foods Pty Ltd a 10-year licensing deal to manufacture and market its Lean Cuisine healthy food brand in Australia and New Zealand, consumer goods website Inside FMCG reported Dec. 20.

Vesco will commence Lean Cuisine production at its Brisbane and Perth facilities "in the coming months," the report said.

In August, the Swiss food and health company sought a new manufacturing and marketing partner for its Lean Cuisine brand in the region as Simplot Australia, which has manufactured and marketed Lean Cuisine since 2009, has decided not to renew its agreement with Nestlé from the end of November 2019.

Lean Cuisine is Nestlé's range of low-fat, artificial additives-free range of frozen prepared meals.