In reporting its fiscal 2010 first quarter, Sara Lee Corp. said its international household and body care businesses—a unit it is in the process of dismantling—had a strong start, with an increase in operating segment income of 13.3% to $69 million. The company said the gain was primarily driven by continuous improvement savings and lower MAP spending, which were partially offset by unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates and a non-recurring curtailment gain in the prior year. Adjusted operating segment income was up 36.7. Net sales, however, fell 6.1% in the quarter to $521 million, which the company said was entirely due to unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates. Adjusted net sales were up 1%, primarily driven by higher unit volumes and pricing. Unit volumes were up 1% as a result of strong volumes for new body care products such as Sanex NaturProtect and Sanex Zero%, as well as volume growth for Radox shower gels in the UK and insecticides in India. Successful products launched in the quarter included Ambi Pur National Geographic air fresheners, a line of co-branded air care products inspired by unique fragrances from around the world, according to the company. On Sept. 25, Sara Lee received a binding offer of €1.275 billion from Unilever to acquire its global body care and European detergents businesses. In addition, Sara Lee said it has “received significant interest” in the remainder of its international household and body care businesses and is continuing to pursue divestiture options for these businesses, which include air care, shoe care, insecticides and non-European cleaning brands. “We are confident that we will soon divest the remainder of the segment,” said Sara Lee Corp. chairman and chief executive officer Brenda C. Barnes.