Limerick-based infant formula manufacturer, Wyeth Nutritionals, is to create a further 60 jobs as part of a £37 million expansion.

The expansion will bring the group's total workforce to 500.

Wyeth Nutritionals, which manufactures brands such as SMA, is owned by the American Home Products Corporation. Its other Irish subsidiaries include Wyeth Medica, at Newbridge, Co Kildare and Fort Dodge Laboratories in Sligo.

The three companies employ 1,300 people.

Announcing the expansion yesterday, the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Mr Walsh, said the company was a major contributor to the Irish economy, sourcing and purchasing its raw materials from the indigenous sector.

Wyeth Nutritionals purchases most of its milk powder lactose and whey protein from Irish milk processors to produce its brands, which are exported to more than 40 markets in Europe, the Middle East and the Far East.

Forbairt has been working closely with Wyeth Nutritionals and other Irish based-infant formula producers, such as Nutricia and Abbott.

The head of its food division, Mr Mike Feeney, said Ireland should comfortably achieve its strategic target to produce 100,000 tonnes of infant formula by the year 2000.