GENEVA: Nestle Health Science, the Swiss food giant's nutritional medicine subsidiary, announced Tuesday it had agreed to buy US rival IM HealthScience for an undisclosed amount.

IM HealthScience's brands include IBgard and FDgard, for the dietary management of irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia; Fiber Choice, a line of prebiotic fibres; and REMfresh, a continuous release-and-absorption melatonin sleep supplement.

The Florida-based firm's products are available for purchase online and at retailers in the United States and Canada.

"The IMH products offer proven and trusted solutions for dietary management of specific digestive problems, as well as a separate solution for regulating sleep," said Greg Behar, Nestle Health Science's chief executive.