The Hain Celestial Group Inc. (NASDAQ: HAIN), a leading natural and organic products company providing consumers with A Healthier Way of Life™, reported its results for the third quarter ended March 31, 2013.

"I am extremely pleased to report the strongest sales in the Company's history led by Hain Celestial US and its continuing consumption gains and increased profitability during the third quarter. In the UK, we are pleased with the contributions of the ambient grocery brands as our team focused on higher margin brand growth and the elimination of unprofitable private label sales, while integrating the acquired business. Hain Daniels also benefitted from the sales and profitability of Cully & Sully in Ireland. Our businesses in Canada and Europe also delivered strong sales and profitable growth," said Irwin D. Simon, founder, president and CEO of Hain Celestial.

Worldwide net sales for the third quarter of fiscal year 2013 were a record $456.1 million, an increase of 21.4 percent compared to net sales of $375.8 million in the prior year period. Hain Celestial US reported net sales of $277.6 million. In the United Kingdom, Hain Daniels' net sales were $121.2 million. For the Company's Rest of World segment, consisting of the operations of Hain Celestial Canada and Hain Celestial Europe, net sales were $57.3 million. The Company had strong brand contribution across various sales channels led by Earth's Best®, MaraNatha®, Spectrum®, The Greek Gods®, Imagine®, Health Valley®, Westbrae®, Hain Pure Foods®, Jason®, Europe's Best® and Linda McCartney® as well as brands acquired during the most recent 12 months including Cully & Sully®, Hartley's® and BluePrint®.

The Company earned income from continuing operations of $41.8 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2013 compared to $24.8 million in the prior year period, a 68.5 percent increase, and reported earnings per diluted share from continuing operations of $0.87 compared to $0.54 in the prior year third quarter. Income from continuing operations includes a tax benefit of $13.2 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, resulting from a worthless stock tax deduction for our investment in one of our UK subsidiaries. Adjusted income from continuing operations was $34.3 million compared to $25.7 million in the prior year, a 33.8 percent increase, and adjusted earnings per diluted share from continuing operations was $0.72 compared to $0.56 in the prior year third quarter. Adjusted amounts exclude the aforementioned tax benefit, acquisition-related expenses, integration and restructuring charges, factory start-up costs, unrealized currency losses and a reserve for litigation settlements. Adjusted EBITDA reached a new high of $216.0 million during the 12-trailing month period ended March 31, 2013.

The Company also announced today in a separate press release the acquisition of Ella's Kitchen Group Limited and the formation of the Global Infant, Toddler & Kids Division under Hain Celestial US. Ella's Kitchen is a manufacturer and distributor of premium organic baby food under the Ella's Kitchen® brand and the first company to offer baby food in convenient flexible pouches. Paul Lindley, founder of Ella's Kitchen, will become CEO of the new Global Infant, Toddler & Kids Division of Hain Celestial US, with responsibility for Hain Celestial's Earth's Best® brand as well as the newly acquired Ella's Kitchen® brand. Paul will report to John Carroll, executive vice president and CEO, Hain Celestial US. Ella's Kitchen generated approximately $70 million in sales in calendar year 2012 and is expected to be accretive to Hain Celestial's earnings in fiscal year 2014 by $0.05 to $0.08 per diluted share. Details of the transaction were not disclosed.

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