The Italian candy company Ferrero plans to buy the American cereal maker Kellogg for $3.1 billion, the companies announced Thursday. The deal would unite the makers of household brands including Nutella and Frosted Flakes. American cereal giant Kellogg and Italian candy giant Ferrero have struck a sweet deal worth $3.1 billion.

The $3.1 billion acquisition would combine Ferrero, which makes Tic Tacs and Nutella, with the producer of Frosted Flakes and Froot Loops.

Italian chocolate giant Ferrero is taking over one of America's oldest breakfast cereal companies, buying the maker of Kellogg's Corn Flakes for $3.1bn (£2.3bn). Ferrero said it planned to invest and expand WK Kellogg's "iconic" brands, which include Froot Loops and Rice Krispies.