Parsippany-based B&G Foods Inc. completed the sale of its organic, plant-based snack brand, Back to Nature, to the Barilla Group.

In a Jan. 3 press release, B&G announced the closure of the transaction, saying the line was sold to BA Brussels LLC, a subsidiary of Barilla.

While B&G did not disclose financial terms of the deal, it plans to use the proceeds “for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of long-term debt,” as well as “the purchase of assets useful” in the company’s food business and to pay taxes, fees and expenses related to the sale.

The move comes two months after B&G told analysts during its third quarter earnings call that the company was looking to sell off Back To Nature – a better-for-you snack option that includes cookies, crackers, granola, nuts and trail mix – and was undertaking a strategic review of other possible divestitures.

As part of the assessment, B&G is examining its portfolio of brands to see which ones fit the goals set for the company’s four business divisions: frozen & vegetables, spices & seasonings, meals and specialty. Its current brands include Green Giant, Ortega, Dash, Crisco and Cream of Wheat.

B&G acquired Back to Nature, as well as SnackWell’s, back in 2017 as part of an effort to build out its snacking portfolio. Under the terms of that deal, B&G purchased the brands from Mondelez International and Brynwood Partners for $162.5 million.

Barilla has said acquiring Back to Nature is “consistent” with its long-term strategy to build a “strong multiband bakery platform” in the U.S.

After entering the North American market in 1996, the fourth-generation, family owned Italian company is now the No. 1 pasta brand. It is also the market leader in the crispbread category with its Wasa brand, as well as a force in the European bakery products sector.