The Hain Celestial Group, one of the leading natural and organic food companies in the US, has acquired the Belgian company Grains Noirs, a producer of fresh prepared foods, including sandwiches and appetisers.
The acquisition, carried out via Hain Celestial Belgium, builds upon Hain Celestial's growing European distribution and manufacturing capabilities in the area of fresh prepared foods.
It also adds to the capabilities of the company's Biomarche business, which provides fresh organic fruits and vegetables, prepared salads and prepared sandwich spreads and dips to retail stores and other channels. Grains Noirs operates in both the retail and foodservice channels.
Irwin D. Simon, chairman of The Hain Celestial Group, said: "We are happy to have Grains Noirs join the Hain Celestial family in Europe. As today's consumers look for good tasting, healthy prepared foods for on-the-go or home consumption, Grains Noirs gives us new opportunities in categories that have good growth potential."
Hain Celestial did not reveal how much it had paid for the Belgian company.
Hain already operates under the Lima and Biomarche brands in Europe, as well as under a variety of names in the US, such as Celestial Seasonings teas, Hain Pure Foods, Garden of Eatin, Earth's Best, Rice Dream and Soy Dream.