Spectrum Organic Products Acquired by The Hain Celestial Group

The Spectrum Organic Products, Inc. (OTCBB:SPOP) merger with The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. was completed on December 16, 2005.

Under the terms of the merger, Spectrum shareholders will receive $0.7035 per share, after deducting for excess company expenses, consisting of $0.3485 per share in cash and $0.355 per share in Hain Celestial shares, which is based on valuing the Hain shares at $19.80 per share, as provided in the merger agreement. The Spectrum merger will increase the amount of Hain Celestial shares outstanding by approximately 924,459 shares.

Spectrum conducted a Special Meeting of Shareholders to approve the principal terms of the merger on December 15, 2005. The total number of shares voted was 42,680,465 out of 46,444,693 shares outstanding as of the record date. The final voting results were 42,485,652 votes for the merger, 133,723 against, and 61,090 shares abstaining.

“Spectrum strengthens our position in the natural and organic sector with the addition of Spectrum Naturals and Spectrum Essentials, as healthy oils are featured in the new food pyramid and USDA Dietary Guidelines” said Irwin D. Simon, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hain Celestial. “We look forward to integrating Spectrum into our portfolio of brands in the Grocery and Snacks area of our business and expanding their product offerings with broader distribution.”