HAIN FOOD GROUP INC
10-K, 1998-09-28
FOOD AND KINDRED PRODUCTS
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                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                          Washington, D.C. 20549

                                FORM 10-K

          {X} Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the 
                     Securities and Exchange Act of 1934
                   For The Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1998
                         Commission File No. 0-22818

                          THE HAIN FOOD GROUP, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

          Delaware                                	  22-3240619
(State or other jurisdiction of                  (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization                    Identification No.)

     50 Charles Lindbergh Boulevard
          Uniondale, New York                          11553
  (Address of principal executive offices)           (Zip Code)

      Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (516) 237-6200
       Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
         Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                   Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
                              Title of Class

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.   Yes [X]     No [ ]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the 
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to 
Form 10-K.  [X]

State the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates,
computed by reference to the price at which the stock was sold, or the
average bid and asked prices of such stock, as of a specified date within
the past 60 days.

Class of Voting Stock and Number                          Market Value Held
of Shares Held by Non-Affiliates	                         by Non-affiliates*
- - --------------------------------                          -----------------
11,643,273 shares of Common Stock                            $183,382,000

* Based on the last reported sale price for the Common Stock on Nasdaq National
  Market on September 11, 1998

State the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of
common equity, as of the latest practicable date. 

Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, 13,365,140 shares outstanding as of
September 11, 1998

                        Documents Incorporated by Reference

                                                     Part of the Form 10-K
           Document                                 into which Incorporated
- - ------------------------------------                -----------------------
The Hain Food Group, Inc. Definitive                        Part III
Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting
of Stockholders to be Held December 8, 1998

<PAGE>

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

  Item 1.     Business
              General
              Product Overview
              Products
              Manufacturing
              New Product Development
              Marketing and Distribution
              Trademarks
              Competition
              Government Regulation
              Note Regarding Forward Looking Information

  Item 2.     Properties

  Item 3.     Legal Proceedings

  Item 4.     Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

PART II

  Item 5.     Market for Registrant's Common Equity and
              Related Stockholder Matters

  Item 6.     Selected Financial Data

  Item 7.     Management's Discussion and Analysis of
              Financial Condition and Results of Operations

  Item 7A.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About
              Market Risk

  Item 8.     Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

  Item 9.     Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants
              on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

PART III

  Item 10.    Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

  Item 11.    Executive Compensation

  Item 12.    Security Ownership and Certain Beneficial
              Owners and Management

  Item 13.    Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

PART IV

  Item 14.    Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules,
              and Reports on Form 8-K

  Signatures

<PAGE>

                                  PART I

                        THE HAIN FOOD GROUP, INC.


Item 1.   Business.


General

The Hain Food Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries (the
"Company") market, distribute and sell natural and specialty food products
under brand names which are sold as "better for you" products.  The product
categories encompass natural and organic foods, medically-directed foods,
weight management and portion control foods, snack foods and kosher foods.
These products are sold primarily to specialty and natural food distributors
and are marketed nationally to supermarkets, natural food stores, and other 
retail classes of trade.  Except with respect to the product lines of Arrowhead
Mills, Inc. ("Arrowhead Mills") and Dana Alexander, Inc. ("Terra Chips"), 
which were acquired on July 1, 1998, the Company's products are produced by
independent food processors ("co-packers") using proprietary specifications
controlled by the Company.

The Company was organized in May 1993 to acquire specialty food brands.  Since 
its formation, the Company has completed a number of acquisitions of companies
or brands.  The principal companies or brands acquired are as follows:

   Kineret Foods Corporation (kosher foods) acquired in November 1993

   Hain Pure Food Co., Inc. (natural food products) acquired in April 1994.

   Hollywood Foods (cooking oils, condiments and vegetable juice) acquired as
   part of the acquisition of Hain Pure Food Co., Inc. in April 1994.

   The Estee Company (sugar-free, medically directed food products) acquired
   in November 1995.

   Weight Watchers dry and refrigerated products sold pursuant to a license
   from H.J. Heinz Company acquired in March 1997. 

   Boston Better Snacks (snack foods) acquired in May 1997.

   Westbrae Natural, Inc. (natural foods sold under the Westbrae, Westsoy,
   Little Bear and Bearitos labels) acquired in October 1997.

   Earth's Best natural baby foods products sold pursuant to a license from
   H.J. Heinz Company acquired in May 1998. 

<PAGE>

In addition, at June 30, 1998, the Company owned the Farm Foods, Harry's
Premium Snacks, Featherweight, and Alba Foods brands.

On July 1, 1998, the Company acquired the following businesses and brands from
The Shansby Group and other investors:

   Arrowhead Mills (natural foods).

   DeBoles Nutritional Foods, Inc. ("DeBoles" -natural pasta products).

   Terra Chips (natural vegetable chips) 

   Garden of Eatin', Inc. ("Garden of Eatin'"- natural snack products).


The aggregate purchase price (excluding closing costs) for these businesses was
$80 million.  The purchase price was paid by the issuance of 1,716,000 shares
of the Company's common stock with a market value of $40 million and $40
million in cash from the proceeds of an amended and restated credit agreement
with the Company's banks.

The Company's brand names are well recognized in the various market categories
they serve.  Hain has acquired all of these brands over the past five years
and will seek future growth through internal expansion, as well as the
acquisition of complementary brands. 

Presently, Hain Pure Food Co., Inc., Kineret Foods Corporation, Westbrae
Natural, Inc. and subsidiaries and Arrowhead Mills, Inc. and subsidiaries are
the Company's only subsidiaries.  Garden of Eatin' was merged into Arrowhead
Mills in July 1, 1998.  The other brands are operated as divisions of the
Company.

The Company's overall strategy is to be a leading "better for you" specialty 
niche food marketer by integrating all of its brands under one management team
and employing a uniform marketing, sales and distribution program.  The 
Company's business strategy is to capitalize on the brand equity and the 
distribution previously achieved by each of the Company's product lines and
to enhance revenues by strategic introductions of new product lines that
complement existing products. The foundation of this strategy has been
established through the acquisitions referred to above and the introduction
of a number of new products.  The Company believes that by integrating its
various brand groups, it will achieve efficiencies of scale and enhanced market
penetration.  The Company considers the acquisition of "better for you" food
companies and product lines as an integral part of its business strategy.  
To that end, the Company from time to time reviews and conducts preliminary 
discussions with acquisition candidates.

<PAGE>
As of June 30, 1998, the Company employed a total of 110 full-time employees.  
As a result of the acquisitions completed on July 1, 1998, the number of 
employees increased to approximately 350. The Company intends to substantially 
integrate the operations and management of the acquired businesses, and it is
anticipated that the number of employees will be substantially reduced over the
course of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1999.  The Company's employees are
not represented by any labor union. The Company believes that its relations
with its employees are good.


Product Overview

Natural Food Products

The Company's Hain, Westbrae, Westsoy, Little Bear, Bearitos, Arrowhead Mills,
Terra Chips, DeBoles, Garden of Eatin', Earth's Best, Harry's Premium Snacks
and Farm Foods businesses market and distribute a full line of natural food
products.  The Company is a leader in many of the top 15 natural food 
categories.  Natural foods are defined as foods which are minimally processed,
largely or completely free of artificial ingredients, preservatives, and other
non-naturally occurring chemicals, and are as near to their whole natural 
state as possible.   

Sugar-free and Low Sodium Products

The Company's Estee and Featherweight businesses market and distribute a full 
line of sugar-free and low sodium products targeted towards diabetic and health
conscious consumers and persons on medically-directed diets.  

Specialty Cooking Oils

The Company's Hollywood Foods business markets a line of specialty cooking oils 
that are enhanced with Vitamin E to maintain freshness and quality.  The
Hollywood product line also includes carrot juice, mayonnaise and margarine.  
Hollywood products are primarily sold directly to supermarkets and other mass
market merchandisers.


Weight Watchers

Under a license agreement, the Company manufactures, markets and sells 
approximately 60 Weight Watchers dry and refrigerated products.

Frozen Kosher Foods

The Company's Kineret business markets and distributes a line of frozen kosher
food products.  Kosher foods are products that are prepared in a manner 
consistent with Kosher dietary laws.  

<PAGE>
Snack Foods

The Company markets and sells popcorn and potato chip and tortilla chips under
the Boston Popcorn and Harry's Original names, principally in the New England
and New York City metropolitan areas. 


Products

The Company's natural food product lines consist of approximately 550 branded
items and include non-dairy drinks (soy and rice milk), popcorn cakes, soups,
crackers, flour and baking mixes, hot and cold cereals, pasta, baby food,
condiments, cooking oils, gourmet vegetable chips, tortilla chips, and potato
chips.  For fiscal 1998, non-dairy drinks were approximately 19% of total
sales.

The Company's Hollywood brand products consist of approximately 15 products
sold principally through the supermarket distribution channel.  Principal 
products are safflower, canola, and peanut oils, and carrot juice.  Hollywood
cooking oils are enhanced with Vitamin E.

The Estee line of products consists of approximately 110 food products which 
are distributed nationwide to supermarkets, food service distributors, 
specialty groceries, mass merchandisers, drug stores and other merchants.

Kineret offers a line of kosher frozen food products under the Kineret and 
Kosherific labels.  The Kineret products include fish products, potato 
pancakes, blintzes, challah bread, pastry dough, and assorted other frozen
food products.

Boston Popcorn and Harry's products consist of 40 items comprised of varieties 
of popcorn, potato chips, tortilla chips and other snack food items.

Arrowhead Mills and Deboles produce over 360 food products in ready-to-eat
cereals, hot cereals, pastas, flour, baking mixes, soups and chilis, packaged 
grain, nut butters and nutritional oils.

Terra Chips natural food products consist of approximately 48 items comprised
of varieties of potato chips, sweet potato chips and other vegetable chips.

Garden of Eatin' natural food products substantially consist of a variety of
tortilla chip products.

The Company continuously evaluates its existing products for taste, nutritional 
value and cost and makes improvements where possible.  The Company will
discontinue products or stock keeping units when sales of those items do not
warrant further production.

<PAGE>
Manufacturing

As at June 30, 1998, all of the Company's products were manufactured at
non-affiliated co-packers. The Company has selectively consolidated its
co-packing arrangements for its products.  The Company presently obtains all
of its requirements for Hain rice and popcorn cakes from two suppliers, all of
its non-dairy drinks from two suppliers, principally all of its tortilla chips
from one supplier and all of its Hollywood cooking oils from one supplier. 
H.J. Heinz Company manufactures the Earth's Best baby food products.  
Boston Popcorn products are manufactured principally by three co-packers.

Pursuant to its co-packing arrangements, the Company purchases substantially 
all of its products as finished goods. 

As a result of the acquisitions of Arrowhead Mills, DeBoles and Terra Chips 
on July 1, 1998, the Company is currently the manufacturer of a substantial
portion of the items sold by those companies, although third party co-packers
are also used for various products. One co-packer manufactures substantially
all of the Garden of Eatin' products.  The Company intends to continue the
manufacture of Terra Chips at its facility in Brooklyn, New York for the 
foreseeable future.  The Company has not as yet made a decision as to whether
it will continue to manufacture Arrowhead Mills and DeBoles products at the
Company's plants located in Hereford, Texas and Shreveport, Louisiana, 
respectively, or whether it will engage third party co-packers for the 
manufacture of such products.

Kineret products are primarily processed under the supervision of the Orthodox 
Union which certifies a product as kosher.  The Orthodox Union must approve 
both the ingredients contained in the product and the facility manufacturing
or processing the product.  

The Company believes that alternative sources of supply are available if 
co-packing arrangements with its suppliers were to be terminated by the
Company or the co-packers.  However, there can be no assurance that
alternative sources of supply would be able to meet the requirements of the
Company, and if the Company were unable to arrange for alternative sources of
supply in a timely manner, such failure could have a material adverse effect 
on the Company's business, operating results and financial condition.


New Product Development

The Company intends to continue its policy of introducing new products or
product line extensions that complement its existing products.  The Company
introduced a substantial number of new products in various categories over
the last three fiscal years.

<PAGE>
Marketing and Distribution

A majority of the products marketed by the Company are sold through independent
distributors. Most sales orders are received from third-party food brokers. 
The Company has recently been increasing its direct sales force for natural
food products and reducing its reliance on food brokers.  Food brokers act as
agents for the Company within designated territories, usually on a
non-exclusive basis, and receive commissions.  Food distributors purchase
products from the Company for resale to retailers.  Because food distributors
take title to the products upon purchase, product pricing decisions are
generally made in their sole discretion, although the Company may participate
in product pricing during promotional periods.

The Company utilizes retail-in-store events such as product demonstrations and 
product sampling, and point of sale displays.  The Company also sponsors and
participates in local distributor and retailer "events", distributes coupons, 
and utilizes advertising in trade magazines and distributor catalogues.

The Company's customer base consists principally of mass-market merchandisers,
natural food distributors, supermarkets, drug store chains and grocery
wholesalers.  During the year ended June 30, 1998, sales to United Naturals,
Inc. and Tree of Life (natural food distributors) accounted for approximately
20% and 12%, respectively of the Company's sales.  Foreign sales are not 
significant.


Trademarks

The Company's trademarks and brand names for the product lines referred to 
herein are registered in the United States and a number of foreign countries.
The Company sells the Earth's Best and Weight Watchers products pursuant to 
licenses from H.J. Heinz Company.  The Company believes that its trademarks
and trade names are significant to the marketing and sale of the Company's
products and that the inability to utilize certain of these names could have
a material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations
and financial condition.


Competition

The Company faces competition in the marketing of all of its brands and 
competes with small specialty food companies in specific categories and with
many large grocery product companies and suppliers of private label products.
The Company's natural food product lines compete with a number of other
natural food companies, including Health Valley and Spectrum.  Hain rice and
popcorn cakes compete with Quaker Oats and Orville Redenbacher.  Hollywood
competes with other mainstream oils.  Estee has one major competitor, which 
markets largely duplicative products, and also faces strong competition in 
sugar-free candy, which is marketed outside the medically directed section of 
supermarkets.  Weight Watchers competes for its share of consumer spending
with the many companies offering reduced fat foods.  Kineret competes with 
other frozen food companies.  Boston Better Snacks faces competition 
from a variety of popcorn and chip manufacturers.

<PAGE>
Government Regulation

The manufacture, distribution and sale of the Company's products are subject to 
various federal, state and local laws governing the production, sale, safety, 
advertising, labeling and ingredients of food products.  In addition, as set
forth above, Hain's kosher food products are subject to additional regulation 
and inspection.  Although the Company believes it and its distributors and
co-packers are currently in compliance with all material federal, state and 
local governmental laws and regulations, there can be no assurance that the
Company, its distributors and co-packers will be able to comply with such laws 
and regulations in the future or that new governmental laws and regulations
will not be introduced which would prevent or temporarily inhibit the 
development, distribution and sale of the Company's products to consumers. 
If any of the Company's distributors or co-packers were to violate any such 
law or regulation, it could result in fines, recalls, seizure or confiscation
of products marketed by the Company.

The Company has, to its knowledge, complied with all current food labeling
and packaging requirements, including significant labeling requirements that
became effective during 1994.

The Company has not experienced any regulatory problems in the past and has not
been subject to any fines or penalties.  No assurance can be given, however,
that future changes in applicable law, regulations or the interpretation 
thereof will not necessitate significant expenditures or otherwise have a 
material adverse impact on the Company, particularly if the Company alters
its strategy and directly manufactures its own products.   


Note Regarding Forward Looking Information

Certain statements contained in this Annual Report constitute "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and 
Sections 21E of the Exchange Act.  Such forward-looking statements involve
known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the
actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements of the Company, 
or industry results, to be materially different from any future results,
levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such 
forward-looking statements.  Such factors include, among others, the following: 
general economic and business conditions; the ability of the Company to 
implement its business and acquisition strategy; the ability to effectively 
integrate its acquisitions; the ability of the Company to obtain financing for 
general corporate purposes; competition; availability of key personnel; and 
changes in, or the failure to comply with government regulations.  As a result 
of the foregoing and other factors, no assurance can be given as to the future 
results, levels of activity and achievements and neither the Company nor any 
person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of these 
statements.

<PAGE>
Item 2.   Properties.

The Company's corporate headquarters are located in approximately 10,000 square 
feet of leased office space located at 50 Charles Lindbergh Boulevard, 
Uniondale, New York.  This lease commenced on August 15, 1994 and, during 1997, 
was extended to February 2002.  The Company is currently in the process of 
leasing an additional 7,000 square feet of office space in the same building 
for a five-year period.  When the aforementioned new space lease is executed, 
the current annual rental on all 17,000 square feet will approximate $415,000.

The Company recently leased 100,000 square feet of space in a building located 
in Compton, CA., consisting of 90,000 square feet of warehouse space and 10,000 
square feet of office space.  The term of the lease is five years and provides 
for a current annual rental of approximately $396,000.  This facility will 
serve as the Company's West Coast distribution center for principally all of 
the Company's product lines.

The Company operates a 7,000 square foot warehouse and distribution center 
located in East Hills, New York which it utilizes to distribute its frozen 
kosher food products.  This lease, which provides for annual net rental of 
approximately $40,000, expires in August 1999.  

The Company's Boston Popcorn 10,000 square foot warehouse and distribution 
center is located in Foxboro, Massachusetts.  This lease is for a three-year 
term expiring on May 31, 2000.  The current annual rental is approximately 
$73,000.  Approximately 4,000 square feet of this space is sub-leased to a 
major distributor of the Company's Boston Popcorn business for the same 
three-year term at a current annual rental of $31,000.

In addition to the foregoing distribution facilities operated by the Company, 
the Company also utilizes a large bonded public warehouse on the East Coast 
from which it makes deliveries to customers in the Eastern part of the country.


Item 3.   Legal Proceedings.

A former financial advisor to Westbrae has made a demand for payment of fees
and expenses in the amount of approximately $1.0 million relating to the sale 
of Westbrae to the Company in October 1997, and submitted the matter to 
arbitration.  The Company believes, based on correspondence and representations 
provided by former management of Westbrae, that the fee agreement expired and 
terminated prior to the sale of Westbrae and that no fees are payable.  The 
Company is also from time to time involved in incidental litigation relating 
to the conduct of its business.  In the opinion of management, disposition of 
pending litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's 
business, results of operations or financial condition.

<PAGE>
Item 4.  	Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth
quarter of the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998.


PART II

Item 5.	  Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder 
          Matters.

The outstanding shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the 
Company are traded on Nasdaq's National Market System.  The following table 
sets forth the reported high and low closing prices for the Common Stock for 
each fiscal quarter from July 1, 1996 through September 11, 1998.

                                             Common Stock
                               --------------------------------------
                                       1998                1997
                                 High        Low       High     Low
                               --------    -------    ------   ------
First Quarter                 $11 15/16   $4 27/32   $4       $3 1/16
Second Quarter                 12 3/4      8 5/8      4        3 1/4
Third Quarter                  19 13/16    9 1/16     5 3/4    3 3/8
Fourth Quarter                 27 1/4     17 11/16    5 5/16   4 1/8
July 1 - September 11, 1998    27 3/4     14 7/8

As at September 11, 1998, there were 96 holders of record of the Company's 
Common Stock.

The Company has not paid any dividends on its Common Stock to date.  The 
Company intends to retain all future earnings for use in the development of 
its business and does not anticipate declaring or paying any dividends in the 
foreseeable future.  The payment of all dividends will be at the discretion of 
the Company's Board of Directors and will depend on, among other things, future 
earnings, operations, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, the 
general financial condition of the Company and general business conditions.  
The ability of the Company to pay dividends is currently restricted by 
covenants contained in its Credit Agreement with its bank.

<PAGE>
Item 6.   Selected Financial Data.

The following information has been summarized from the Company's financial 
statements and should be read in conjunction with such financial statements and 
related notes thereto (in thousands, except per share amounts):

                                        Year Ended June 30
                          ----------------------------------------------
                           1998       1997     1996      1995      1994
                           ----       ----     ----      ----      ----
Operating results:
  Net sales              $104,253   $65,353   $68,606   $58,076   $14,963
  
  Income (loss) before 
   extraordinary charge    $4,634    $1,069    $2,134    $2,365     $(502)

  Extraordinary charge     (1,342)
                            -----     -----     -----     -----       --- 
    Net income (loss)      $3,292    $1,069    $2,134    $2,365     $(502)

Basic earnings per
 common share:

  Income (loss) before
   extraordinary charge     $ .45     $ .12     $ .24     $ .28    $ (.19)
  Extraordinary charge       (.13)
                               --        --        --        --        --
  Net income (loss)         $ .32     $ .12     $ .24     $ .28    $ (.19)

Diluted earnings per 
 common share:

  Income (loss) before
   extraordinary charge     $ .39     $ .12     $ .24     $ .28    $ (.19)
  Extraordinary charge       (.11)
                               --        --        --        --        --
  Net income (loss)         $ .28     $ .12     $ .24     $ .28    $ (.19)

Financial Position:
  Working Capital         $14,538    $4,482    $6,540    $8,883    $4,473
  Total Assets             88,291    48,895    47,442    34,921    31,739
  Long-term Debt           16,561    10,756    12,105     7,277    13,450
  Stockholders' Equity     53,247    25,059    24,424    22,290    11,501


<PAGE>
Item 7.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
          and Results of Operation.

General

The Company made the following acquisitions during the three years ended 
June 30, 1998:

 On November 3, 1995, the Company purchased substantially all of the assets
 and  business, subject to certain liabilities of The Estee Corporation, a 
 manufacturer and marketer of sugar-free and low sodium products targeted
 towards diabetic and health conscious consumers.

 On March 31, 1997, the Company entered into a license agreement with Weight
 Watchers Gourmet Food Company (a wholly-owned subsidiary of H. J. Heinz
 Company) to manufacture, market and sell Weight Watchers dry and refrigerated
 products.

 On May 23, 1997, the Company purchased substantially all of the assets and
 business, subject to certain liabilities of The Boston Popcorn Company, a
 manufacturer and marketer of popcorn and chip products principally in New
 England and the New York City metropolitan areas.

 On July 15, 1997, the Company acquired Alba Foods from Heinz USA, a division
 of H.J. Heinz Company.

 On October 14, 1997, the Company acquired all of the capital stock of Westbrae
 Natural, Inc. ("Westbrae").

 On May 31, 1998, the Company acquired Harry's Premium Snacks.

 On June 1, 1998, the Company entered into a license agreement with H. J. Heinz
 Company to market and sell Earth's Best baby food products to natural food
 stores.


Results of Operations

The following discussion does not give effect to the acquisitions of Arrowhead
Mills, DeBoles, Terra Chips and Garden of Eatin, Inc. (the "Acquisitions"), all
of which occurred on July 1, 1998 after the close of the Company's fiscal year. 
The Acquisitions will be accounted for as purchases.  Accordingly, the results 
of operations of the acquired businesses will be included in the Company's 
results of operations commencing July 1, 1998.

Fiscal 1998 Compared to Fiscal 1997:

<PAGE>
Net sales for 1998 increased by approximately $38.9 million to $104.3 million 
as compared with $65.4 million in 1997.  Sales of Westbrae accounted for a 
substantial portion of the increase.

Gross profit for 1998 increased by approximately $17.9 million to $42.5 million 
(40.7% of sales) as compared to $24.6 million (37.6% of sales) in 1997.  The 
increase in gross profit dollars was attributable largely to the increased 
sales level in 1998.  The increase in the gross margin percentage was 
attributable principally to a reduction in warehousing and delivery costs as 
a percentage of sales and the effect of the Westbrae acquisition.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $10.8 million to 
$30.4 million (29.2% of sales) in 1998 as compared with $19.7 million (30.1% 
of sales) in 1997.  Substantially all of the dollar increase was attributable 
to the acquisition of Westbrae.  The 0.9% reduction in such costs as a 
percentage of sales was attributable principally to higher sales levels which 
have the impact of better absorption of general operating costs.

Depreciation and amortization costs increased to $1.6 million in 1998 from $0.9 
million in 1997.  The principal factor contributing to in the increase was 
amortization of goodwill acquired in connection with the acquisition of 
Westbrae and the other businesses during the past three fiscal years.

Interest and financing costs for 1998 amounted to $2.6 million in 1998 as 
compared with $2.1 million in 1997.  In October 1997, the Company acquired 
Westbrae principally with the proceeds of bank borrowings.  In December 1997,
the Company issued 2.5 million shares of common stock in a public offering, 
the proceeds of which were used to pay down a substantial portion of the debt 
incurred in connection with the Westbrae acquisition.  Accordingly, between 
October 14, 1997 and December 9, 1997 there was a higher level of debt which 
accounted for most of the increase in interest expense.

In April 1998, the Company prepaid $8.5 million of its 12.5% subordinated 
debentures with the proceeds of less costly bank borrowings.  This prepayment
will result in lower interest costs subsequent to the prepayment.

Income before income taxes and extraordinary charge for 1998 increased to $7.9 
million (7.6% of sales) from $1.9 million (2.8% of sales) in 1997.  This 
significant improvement in profitability was attributable to the aforementioned 
increase in sales, the improvement in gross profit margins, lower selling, 
general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales, offset by the 
increase in amortization of goodwill and interest costs.

Income taxes increased to $3.3 million in 1998, compared with $0.8 million in
1997.  The effective tax rate was 41.2% in 1998, compared with 42.4% in 1997.  
The decrease in the effective tax rate was attributable to a higher level of 
income in 1998 that mitigated the effect of the non-deductibility of goodwill 
amortization.  In connection with the Acquisitions on July 1, 1998 referred to 
above, the Company acquired a very substantial amount of goodwill attributable 
to the brand equity and earnings of the acquired businesses.  Inasmuch as 
the amortization of such goodwill will not be deductible for tax reporting 
purposes, the Company anticipates that its effective income tax rate in the 
fiscal year ending June 30, 1999 will approximate 44%.

<PAGE>
Extraordinary Charge:

In connection with the prepayment of its 12.5% subordinated debentures, 
the Company paid prepayment fees and also wrote off unamortized financing 
costs associated therewith.  This resulted in an extraordinary charge of 
approximately $2.1 million before related income tax benefits of approximately 
$0.8 million.

Fiscal 1997 Compared to Fiscal 1996:

Net sales for 1997 decreased by approximately $3.3 million to $65.4 million 
as compared with $68.6 million in 1996.  The sales decrease was principally 
attributable to a $10.5 million decrease in sales of rice cake products, 
offset in part by a full year of sales of the Estee division, which was 
acquired in November 1995 and sales of Weight Watchers products in the fourth 
quarter of fiscal 1997.  The rice cake product category for the Company, as 
well as other sellers of the product (including Quaker Oats),has been under 
recent pressure from the growing market acceptance of other snack products and 
from increased competition.  The Company has reacted by continuing to introduce 
new products in a variety of categories, and continues to make acquisitions 
that will diversify its product mix and reduce reliance on sales of specific 
categories.

Gross profit for 1997 decreased by approximately $3.1 million to $24.6 million 
as compared to $27.7 million in 1996.  Gross margin percentage decreased by 
approximately 2.8% in 1997 compared with 1996, principally due to a change in 
product mix and an increase in warehousing and delivery costs.

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $1.3 million to $19.7 
million in 1997 as compared to $20.9 million in 1996, principally as a result 
of lower sales promotional costs on lower sales levels.  Such expenses, as a 
percentage of net sales, were at the same approximate level in both years. 

Interest and financing costs for 1997 decreased by $0.1 million to $2.1 million 
as compared to $2.2 million for 1996.  

Income before income taxes for 1997 was approximately $1.9 million as compared 
to $3.8 million in 1996. The decrease of $1.9 million was principally a result 
of the aforementioned decrease in gross profit offset in part by the decrease 
in sales promotional costs.

Income taxes decreased to $0.8 million in 1997 from $1.6 million in 1996.  
The decrease in income taxes is substantially attributable to the decrease in 
income before taxes.  Income taxes as a percentage of pre-tax income amounted 
to 42.4% in 1997 as compared to 43.3% in 1996.  

<PAGE>
Liquidity and Capital Resources

In October 1997, in connection with the acquisition of Westbrae, the Company 
entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Facility ("Facility") with its bank
providing for a $30 million senior term loan and a $10 million revolving credit 
line.  The Facility replaced the Company's existing facility with the same 
bank.  In December 1997, the Company issued 2.5 million shares of common stock 
in a public offering, which raised approximately $20.9 million, which was used 
to pay down the senior term loan.  In April 1998, the Company re-borrowed 
approximately $9 million under the senior term loan to prepay the Company's 
$8.5 million subordinated debentures.  At June 30, 1998, $18.6 million was 
outstanding under the senior term loan and $2.4 million was outstanding under 
the revolving credit line.

On July 1, 1998, in connection with the Acquisitions, the Facility was further 
amended to provide for a $60 million senior term loan and a $15 million 
revolving credit line.  The entire senior term loan was borrowed on that date 
to pay the cash portion of the purchase price of the Acquisitions, fund closing 
costs, and to repay the then existing balance on the Facility.  Accordingly, 
the Company's debt structure will be significantly different in the fiscal 
year commencing July 1, 1998 from that in prior years.  However, the Company 
believes that operating cash flow generated by its business will be more than 
adequate to service the aforementioned debt.

The interest rate on the Facility is based partially on the ratio of 
outstanding debt to operating cash flow (as defined).  The Company may elect 
to pay interest based on the bank's base rate or the LIBOR rate.  Borrowings 
on a base rate basis may range from 0.50% below the bank's base rate to 1.00% 
above the bank's base rate.  Borrowings on a LIBOR basis may range from 1.75% 
to 3.00% over the LIBOR rate.  The entire senior term loan is currently 
borrowed on a LIBOR basis.  The senior term loan is repayable in quarterly 
principal installments (the first principal payment commences on December 31, 
1998) through maturity of the Facility on September 30, 2005.  Pursuant to 
the Facility, the Company may borrow under its revolving credit line up to 
85% of eligible trade receivables and 60% of eligible inventories.

Amounts outstanding under the Facility are collateralized by principally all 
of the Company's assets.  The Facility also contains certain financial and 
other restrictive covenants.  As of August 31, 1998, $13 million was available 
under the Company's revolving credit line.  Utilization of the revolving credit 
line varies over the course of the year based on inventory requirements.

The aggregate principal payments on the senior term loan for the year ending 
June 30, 1999 are approximately $2.6 million.  The Company anticipates that 
cash flow from operations will be sufficient to meet all of its debt service 
and operating requirements.

<PAGE>
Working capital at June 30, 1998 amounted to approximately $14.5 million.  
Working capital increased by approximately $4 million on July 1, 1998 as a 
result of the Acquisitions, and this new level of working capital is deemed 
adequate to serve the Company's operational needs. Prior to the Acquisitions, 
the Company purchased all of its products from independent co-packers and did 
not invest in plant or equipment relating to the manufacture of products for 
sale.  The Company has not as yet determined whether it will continue 
production at the plants acquired in the Acquisitions or will delegate such 
production to independent co-packers.  Consequently, there may be some level 
of capital expenditures in connection with the operation of those plants, 
but the amount is not considered material in relation to the Company's 
operations.

The Facility imposes limitations on the incurrence of additional indebtedness 
and requires that the Company comply with certain financial tests and 
restrictive covenants. As at June 30, 1998, the Company was in compliance 
with such covenants.


Year 2000

The "Year 2000" issue is the result of computer systems that were programmed in 
prior years using a two digit representation for the year.  Consequently, in
the Year 2000, date sensitive computer programs may interpret the date "00" as 
1900 rather than 2000.  The Company has completed an assessment of its system 
affected by the Year 2000 issue and have found only minor issues to be 
addressed.  The business operation computer programs/systems are Year 2000 
compliant.

The Company has initiated formal communications with all of its significant 
suppliers and large customers to determine the extent to which the Company's 
interface systems are vulnerable to those third parties' failure to remediate 
their own Year 2000 issues.  While the Company believes that the Year 2000 
issue will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial 
position, liquidity or results of operations, there is no guarantee that the 
systems of other companies on which the Company's systems rely will be timely 
converted and would not have an adverse effect on the Company's systems.


Seasonality

Sales of food products consumed in the home generally decline to some degree 
during the Summer vacation months.  However, the Company believes that such 
seasonality has a limited effect on operations.

<PAGE>
Inflation

The Company does not believe that inflation had a significant impact on the 
Company's results of operations for the periods presented.


Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Not applicable, except as reported on in Item 7.


Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

The following consolidated financial statements of The Hain Food Group, Inc. 
and subsidiaries are included in Item 8:

        Consolidated Balance Sheets - June 30, 1998 and 1997

        Consolidated Statements of Income - Years ended June 30, 1998, 1997 
        and 1996

        Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Years ended June 30, 1998, 
        1997 and 1996

        Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity - Years ended 
        June 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996

        Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The following consolidated financial statement schedule of The Hain Food Group, 
Inc. and subsidiaries are included in Item 14 (a):

       Schedule II 	Valuation and qualifying accounts

All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting 
regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under 
the related instructions or are inapplicable and therefore have been omitted.

<PAGE>
                      Report of Independent Auditors


The Stockholders and Board of Directors
The Hain Food Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries


We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The Hain Food 
Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of June 30, 1998 and 1997, and the related 
consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for 
each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 1998.  Our audits also 
included the financial statement schedule listed in the index at Item 14(a).  
These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company's 
management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial 
statements and schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing 
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to 
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free 
of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, 
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  
An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant 
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial 
statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis 
for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present 
fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of The 
Hain Food Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries at June 30, 1998 and 1997, and the 
consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the 
three years in the period ended June 30, 1998, in conformity with generally 
accepted accounting principles.  Also, in our opinion, the related financial 
statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial 
statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the 
information set forth therein.


                                               /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Melville, New York
September 10, 1998

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
THE HAIN FOOD GROUP, INC.  AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<CAPTION>
                                                          June 30
                                                    1998           1997
                                                  -------       -------- 
<S>                                              <C>            <C>
               ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash                                            $495,000       $219,000
  Trade accounts receivable,
   less allowance for doubtful 
    accounts of $325,000 and $265,000           13,614,000      8,447,000
  Inventories                                   13,278,000      6,635,000
  Other current assets                           1,830,000      1,226,000
                                                ----------     ----------
       Total current assets                     29,217,000     16,527,000

Property and equipment, 
 net of accumulated depreciation
 of $834,000 and $577,000                        1,065,000        743,000
Goodwill and other intangible assets,
 net of accumulated amortization 
 of $3,320,000 and $2,074,000                   54,253,000     29,188,000
Deferred financing costs, 
 net of accumulated amortization
 of $1,055,000 and $1,049,000                    1,502,000        975,000
Other assets                                     2,254,000      1,462,000
                                                ----------     ----------
       Total assets                            $88,291,000    $48,895,000
                                                ==========     ========== 
<FN>
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

       LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

<S>                                             <C>            <C>  
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses         $9,715,000     $7,568,000
  Current portion of long-term debt              4,554,000      4,178,000
  Income taxes payable                             410,000        299,000
                                                ----------     ----------
        Total current liabilities               14,679,000     12,045,000
   
Long-term debt, less current portion            16,561,000     10,756,000
Other liabilities                                2,628,000        483,000
Deferred income taxes                            1,176,000        552,000
                                                ----------     ----------
        Total liabilities                       35,044,000     23,836,000

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred stock - $.01 par value;
   authorized 5,000,000 shares,
   no shares issued
  Common stock - $.01 par value,
   authorized 40,000,000 shares,
   issued 11,656,299 and 8,881,899 shares          117,000         89,000
  Additional paid-in capital                    45,122,000     20,804,000
  Retained earnings                              8,283,000      4,991,000
                                                ----------     ----------
                                                53,522,000     25,884,000
  Less: 100,000 and 300,000 shares
   of treasury stock, at cost                      275,000        825,000
                                                ----------     ----------  
         Total stockholders' equity             53,247,000     25,059,000
                                                ----------     ----------
         Total liabilities and
          stockholders' equity                 $88,291,000    $48,895,000
                                                ==========     ==========
<FN>

See notes to consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
THE HAIN FOOD GROUP, INC.  AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME


                                             Year Ended June 30
                                      1998           1997           1996
                                   ----------     ----------     ----------
<S>                              <C>             <C>            <C>
Net sales                        $104,253,000    $65,353,000    $68,606,000

Cost of sales                      61,797,000     40,781,000     40,884,000
                                   ----------     ----------     ----------
Gross profit                       42,456,000     24,572,000     27,722,000
                                   ----------     ----------     ----------
Selling, general and
 administrative expenses           30,402,000     19,651,000     20,905,000
Depreciation of property
 and equipment                        257,000        178,000        184,000
Amortization of goodwill and
 other intangible assets            1,311,000        740,000        651,000
                                   ----------     ----------     ----------
                                   31,970,000     20,569,000     21,740,000

Operating income                   10,486,000      4,003,000      5,982,000
                                   ----------      ---------      --------- 

Interest expense, net               2,128,000      1,639,000      1,745,000
Amortization of deferred
 financing costs and discounts        474,000        509,000        473,000
                                    ---------      ---------      ---------
                                    2,602,000      2,148,000      2,218,000
                                    ---------      ---------      ---------
Income before income taxes
 and extraordinary charge           7,884,000      1,855,000      3,764,000

Provision for income taxes          3,250,000        786,000      1,630,000
                                    ---------      ---------      ---------
Income before extraordinary charge  4,634,000      1,069,000      2,134,000
 
Extraordinary charge - costs in
 connection with prepayment of
 debentures, net of income tax
 benefit of $791,000               (1,342,000)
                                    ---------      ---------      ---------
Net income                         $3,292,000     $1,069,000     $2,134,000
                                    =========      =========      =========
Basic Earnings Per Common Share:
 Income before extraordinary charge     $0.45          $0.12          $0.24
 Extraordinary charge                   (0.13)
                                         ----           ----           ----
 Net income                             $0.32          $0.12          $0.24
                                         ====           ====           ====
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share:
 Income before extraordinary charge     $0.39          $0.12          $0.24
 Extraordinary charge                   (0.11)
                                         ----           ----           ----
 Net income                             $0.28          $0.12          $0.24
                                         ====           ====           ====
Common equivalent shares:
  Basic                            10,269,000      8,694,000      8,887,000
                                   ==========      =========      =========

  Diluted                          11,893,000      8,993,000      8,964,000
                                   ==========      =========      ========= 
<FN>
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
THE HAIN FOOD GROUP, INC.  AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<CAPTION>
                                                  Year Ended June 30
                                           1998          1997        1996
                                          -------       -------     -------
<S>                                     <C>           <C>          <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income                              $3,292,000    $1,069,000   $2,134,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income
 to net cash provided by operating
 activities: 
  Extraordinary charge                   1,342,000
 Depreciation of property
  and equipment                            257,000       178,000      184,000
 Amortization of goodwill and
 other intangible assets                 1,311,000       740,000      651,000
 Amortization of deferred
 financing costs                           474,000       509,000      473,000
 Provision for doubtful accounts            70,000       290,000      123,000
 Other                                      77,000       (34,000)
 Deferred income taxes                     624,000        91,000       36,000
 Increase (decrease) in cash
  attributable to changes in assets and                               
  liabilities, net of amounts
  applicable to acquired businesses:
   Accounts receivable                  (2,385,000)     (383,000)    (218,000)
   Inventories                          (2,193,000)      899,000    1,172,000
   Other current assets                   (414,000)     (347,000)    (166,000)
   Other assets                           (882,000)     (309,000)      81,000
   Accounts payable and
    accrued expenses                    (2,767,000)      276,000   (2,153,000)
   Income taxes payable                  1,810,000        26,000   (1,023,000)
                                         ---------     ---------    --------- 
      Net cash provided by
       operating activities                616,000     3,005,000    1,294,000
                                         ---------     ---------    ---------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES                                           
Acquisition of businesses              (24,653,000)     (666,000)  (9,758,000)
Acquisition of property and equipment     (579,000)     (146,000)    (215,000)
                                        ----------       -------    --------- 
     Net cash used in investing
       activities                      (25,232,000)     (812,000)  (9,973,000)
                                        ----------       -------    ---------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from bank revolving
 credit facility                           100,000       850,000    1,100,000
Proceeds from senior term loan          39,100,000                  9,000,000
Payment of senior term loan            (25,347,000)   (1,234,000)  (2,919,000)
Prepayment of 12.5% Subordinated
 debentures                             (9,112,000)
Purchase of treasury stock                              (825,000)
Costs in connection with
 bank financing                           (950,000)       (6,000)    (256,000)
Proceeds from public offering,
 net of related expenses                20,852,000
Proceeds from exercise of warrants
 and options, net of related expenses    2,226,000        52,000
Collections of receivables from
 equipment sales                           382,000       552,000    2,011,000
Payment of debt of acquired company     (2,103,000)   (1,269,000)
Payment of other long-term debt
 and other liabilities                    (256,000)     (400,000)    (138,000)
                                        ----------     ---------    ---------  
  Net cash provided by (used in)
     financing activities               24,892,000    (2,280,000)   8,798,000
                                        ----------     ---------    ---------
Net increase (decrease) in cash            276,000       (87,000)     119,000
  
Cash at beginning of year                  219,000       306,000      187,000
                                           -------       -------      -------
Cash at end of year                       $495,000      $219,000     $306,000
                                           =======       =======      =======
<FN>

See notes to consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
THE HAIN FOOD GROUP, INC.  AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996, 1997 AND 1998


<CAPTION>
                              Common Stock      Additional
                                      Amount     Paid-in     Retained     Treasury Stock
                           Shares    at $.01     Capital     Earnings    Shares    Amount       Total
                           ---------   ------   ----------   ---------  -----------------    ----------
<S>                        <C>        <C>      <C>          <C>         <C>      <C>        <C>     
Balance at June 30, 1995   8,866,899  $89,000  $20,413,000  $1,788,000                      $22,290,000

Net income for the year    
 ended June 30, 1996                                         2,134,000                        2,134,000
                           ---------   ------   ----------   ---------                       ----------
Balance at June 30, 1996   8,866,899   89,000   20,413,000   3,922,000                       24,424,000

Acquisition of treasury
 stock                                                                  300,000  ($825,000)    (825,000) 

Exercise of stock options
 and other                    15,000                79,000                                       79,000

Value ascribed to warrants                         312,000                                      312,000

Net income for the year    
 ended June 30, 1997                                         1,069,000                        1,069,000
                           ---------   ------   ----------   ---------  -------    -------   ----------
Balance at June 30, 1997   8,881,899   89,000   20,804,000   4,991,000  300,000   (825,000)  25,059,000

Issuance of 2,500,000
 shares in public
 offering, net of 
 related expenses          2,500,000   25,000   20,827,000                                   20,852,000

Exercise of Common
 Stock warrants, net
 of related expenses                               743,000             (200,000)   550,000    1,293,000

Exercise of stock options    274,400    3,000      930,000                                      933,000

Non-cash compensation 
 charge                                             27,000                                       27,000

Value ascribed to warrants                         883,000                                      883,000

Tax benefit from stock options                     908,000                                      908,000

Net income for the year    
 ended June 30, 1998                                         3,292,000                        3,292,000
                           ----------  -------  ----------   ---------  -------    -------   ----------
Balance at June 30, 1998   11,656,299 $117,000 $45,122,000  $8,283,000  100,000  ($275,000) $53,247,000
                           ==========  =======  ==========   =========  =======    =======   ==========

<FN>

See notes to consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
THE HAIN FOOD GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


1.  BUSINESS:

    The Company and its subsidiaries operate in one business segment: the sale 
    of specialty food products which are manufactured by various co-packers.

    The Company's principal product lines consist of Hain Pure Foods (natural 
    foods), Hollywood Foods (principally healthy cooking oils), Westbrae 
    Natural (natural foods), Estee (sugar-free, medically directed snacks), 
    Arrowhead Mills (natural foods). DeBoles Nutritional Foods (natural pasta 
    products), Terra Chips (natural vegetable chips), Garden of Eatin', Inc. 
   (natural snack products), Kineret Foods (frozen kosher foods), Weight
    Watchers (dry and refrigerated products), Earth's Best (natural baby foods)
    and Boston Popcorn (snacks). 


2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

    All amounts in the financial statements have been rounded to the nearest 
    thousand dollars, except shares and per share amounts.

    Consolidation Policy:

    The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of 
    the Company and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly-owned.  Material 
    intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in 
    consolidation.

    Reclassifications:

    Certain prior year's balances have been reclassified to conform with the
    1998 presentation.


    Use of Estimates:

    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally 
    accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and 
    assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities
    and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the
    financial statements and amounts of income and expenses during the
    reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

<PAGE>
    Segment Reporting:

    In June 1997, the FASB issued Statement No. 131, "Disclosure about Segments
    of an Enterprise and Related Information" ("FAS 131"), which is effective 
    for years beginning after December 15, 1997.  FAS 131 established standards
    for the way the public business enterprises report information about 
    operating segments in annual financial statements and requires that those 
    enterprises report selected information about operating segments in interim
    financial reports.  It also establishes standards for related disclosures
    about products and services, geographical areas, and major customers.
    Since FAS 131 is not required to be applied to interim financial statements 
    in the initial year of adoption, the Company is not required to disclose
    segment information in accordance with FAS 131 until the fiscal year ended
    June 30, 1999, if applicable.  In the Company's first quarter of fiscal
    2000 report, and in subsequent quarters, it would present the interim
    disclosures required by FAS 131 for both fiscal 2000 and 1999, if 
    applicable.

    The Company is currently evaluating what operating segments of its business
    may trigger the disclosure requirements under FAS No. 131.

    Revenue Recognition:

    Sales are recognized upon the shipment of finished goods to customers.  
    Allowances for cash discounts are recorded in the period in which the 
    related sale is recognized.

    Advertising Costs:

    Media advertising costs, which are included in selling, general and 
    administrative expenses, amounted to $747,000, $236,000, and $22,000 for 
    fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.  Such costs are expensed as 
    incurred.

   	Income Taxes:

    The Company follows the liability method of accounting for income taxes.
    Under the liability method, deferred taxes are determined based on the 
    differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and
    liabilities at enacted rates in effect in the years in which the 
    differences are expected to reverse.

<PAGE>
    Concentration of Credit Risk:

    Substantially all of the Company's trade accounts receivable are due from 
    food distributors and food retailers located throughout the United States.
    The Company performs credit evaluations of its customers and generally 
    does not require collateral.  Credit losses are provided for in the 
    consolidated financial statements and consistently have been within 
    management's expectations.  During the year ended June 30, 1998, sales to
    two customers approximated 20% and 12%, respectively.  At June 30, 1998 
    and 1997, the two customers accounted for approximately 30.5% and 19.7%,
    respectively, of total accounts receivable outstanding.

    Inventories:

    Inventories consist principally of finished goods, raw materials and 
    packaging materials, and are stated at the lower of cost (first-in,
    first-out basis) or market.

    Fair Values of Financial Instruments:

    As at June 30, 1998 and 1997, the Company had no cash equivalents.  The 
    Company believes that the interest rates set forth in the Company's debt
    instruments approximates its current borrowing rate and, accordingly, the 
    carrying amounts of such debt at June 30, 1998 and 1997 approximate fair 
    value.

    Property and Equipment:

    Property and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation.  
    Depreciation is provided under the straight-line method over the estimated
    useful lives of the related assets.

    Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:

    Goodwill consists of the excess of the cost of acquired businesses over the
    fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired or assumed, and is being
    amortized over a period of 40 years from date of acquisition (see Note 6).

    Other intangible assets, which are not significant in the aggregate, are
    being amortized over their respective applicable lives.

<PAGE>
    Amortizable Long-Lived Assets:

    Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 121, "Accounting for the
    Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed
    Of" ("FAS 121"), requires impairment losses to be recorded on long-lived
    assets used in operations when indicators of impairment are present and the
    undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less
    than the asset carrying amount.  FAS 121 also addresses the accounting for
    long-lived assets that are expected to be disposed of.  The Company adopted
    FAS 121 effective for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1997.  The adoption
    did not have an effect on the Company's consolidated results of operations,
    cash flows or financial position.

    Deferred Financing Costs:

    Costs associated with obtaining debt financing are capitalized and
    amortized over the related lives of the applicable debt instruments.

    Start Up Costs:

    In April 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
    issued SOP 98-5, "Reporting Costs of Start-up Activities" ("SOP 98-5").
    SOP 98-5 is effective beginning on July 1, 1999, and requires the start-up
    costs capitalized prior to such date be written-off as a cumulative effect
    of an accounting change as of July 1, 1999 and any future start-up costs be
    expensed as incurred.  It is not practicable to estimate what effect this
    change will have on fiscal 2000 earnings, however, had SOP 98-5 been
    adopted at the beginning of the year ended June 30, 1998, income before
    income taxes and extraordinary charge would have been reduced by
    approximately $1 million.

    Earnings Per Share:

    In February 1997, the FASB issued Statement No. 128, "Earnings Per Share"
    ("FAS 128").  FAS 128 replaced the previously reported primary and fully
    diluted earnings per share with basic and diluted earnings per share.
    Unlike primary earnings per share, basic earnings per share excludes any
    dilutive effects of options and warrants.  Diluted earnings per share is
    very similar to the previously reported fully diluted earnings per share.
    All earnings per share amounts for all periods have been presented, and
    where necessary, restated to conform to FAS 128 requirements.

<PAGE>
    The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted
    earnings per share pursuant to FAS 128. 
    
                                           1998         1997         1996    
                                         ---------    ---------    ---------
     Numerator:
     Income before extraordinary
      charge - numerator for basic
      and diluted earnings per share    $4,634,000   $1,069,000   $2,134,000
     Extraordinary charge               (1,342,000)
                                         ---------    ---------   ----------
     Net income                         $3,292,000   $1,069,000   $2,134,000
                                         =========    =========    =========


     Denominator:
     Denominator for basic earnings
      per - weighted average shares
      outstanding during the period (a) 10,269,000    8,694,000    8,887,000
                                        ----------    ---------    ---------

     Effect of dilutive securities:
      Stock options                        962,000      182,000       32,000
      Warrants                             662,000      117,000       45,000
                                        ----------    ---------    ---------    
                                         1,624,000      299,000       77,000
                                        ----------    ---------    ---------
     Denominator for diluted earnings
      per share - adjusted weighted
      average shares and assumed
      conversions                       11,893,000    8,993,000    8,964,000
                                        ==========    =========    =========

     Basic earnings per share:
      Income before extraordinary
       charge                                $ .45        $ .12        $ .24 
      Extraordinary charge                    (.13)                          
                                                --           --           -- 
      Net income                             $ .32        $ .12        $ .24    
                                                ==           ==           ==

     Diluted earnings per share:
      Income before extraordinary charge     $ .39        $ .12        $ .24
      Extraordinary charge                    (.11)
                                                --           --           -- 
      Net income                             $ .28        $ .12        $ .24
                                                ==           ==           ==

      (a) On December 8, 1997, the Company issued 2,500,000 shares of common
          stock in connection with a public offering.
<PAGE>

3.  ACQUISITIONS:

    On October 14, 1997, the Company completed a tender offer for all of the
    shares of Westbrae Natural, Inc. ("Westbrae), a publicly-owned company,
    for $3.625 per share of common stock. The aggregate cash purchase price,
    including acquisition costs, amounted to approximately $24 million.  In 
    addition, the Company repaid approximately $2.1 million of outstanding 
    Westbrae debt.  To finance the acquisition, the Company entered into a 
    $40 million credit facility with its bank providing for a $30 million 
    Senior Term Loan and a $10 million revolving credit line. 

    Westbrae (formerly known as Vestro Natural Foods, Inc.) is a leading
    formulator and marketer of high quality natural and organic foods sold
    under the brand names Westbrae Natural, Westsoy, Little Bear and Bearitos,
    encompassing 300 food items such as non-dairy beverages, chips, snacks,
    beans and soups.

    Unaudited pro forma results of operations (in thousands, except per share
    amounts) for the years ended June 30, 1998 and 1997, assuming the
    acquisition of Westbrae had occurred as of July 1, 1996 are as follows:

                                               1998          1997            
                                              -------       ------
           Net sales                         $114,892      $98,247
           Net income                           3,533        1,419
           Net income per share (diluted)      $  .30       $  .16

    The pro forma operating results shown above are not necessarily indicative
    of operations in the period following acquisition. 

    On July 15, 1997, the Company acquired Alba Foods from Heinz USA, a 
    division of H.J. Heinz Company. On May 31, 1998, the Company acquired
    Harry's Premium Snacks. Pro forma information with respect to the
    foregoing acquisitions is not significant.

    On May 23, 1997, the Company purchased substantially all of the assets and
    business, subject to certain liabilities, of The Boston Popcorn Company,
    Inc.  Boston Popcorn is a manufacturer and marketer of popcorn and chip
    snack products, principally in New England and the New York City
    metropolitan areas.  The purchase price amounted to approximately $870,000
    of which $645,000 was paid in cash and $225,000 by the issuance of a note,
    with a maturity date in 2002.  In addition, the Company assumed certain 
    liabilities.  Pro forma information with respect to the foregoing
    acquisition is not significant.
 
    The above acquisitions have been accounted for as purchases and, therefore,
    operating results of the acquired businesses have been included in the
    accompanying financial statements from the date of acquisition.

<PAGE>
4.  LICENSE AGREEMENTS:

    On March 31, 1997, the Company entered into a license agreement with Weight
    Watchers Gourmet Food Company ("WWGF" - a wholly-owned subsidiary of H. J.
    Heinz Company).  Under the agreement, the Company will manufacture, market
    and sell approximately 60 Weight Watcher dry and refrigerated products. 
    The agreement is for five years, and is renewable under certain
    circumstances.  The agreement provides, among other matters, for a royalty
    payment to WWGF based on sales of Weight Watchers products and payment of
    a share of the pre-tax profits (as defined) from sale of such products.  

    On June 1, 1998, the Company entered into a license agreement with H. J. 
    Heinz Company to market and sell Earth's Best baby food products to natural
    food stores.  The agreement is for five years, and is renewable under
    certain circumstances.  The agreement provides, among other matters, for
    payment of a share of profits (as defined) from sale of such products in
    excess of defined amounts. 


5.	 INVENTORIES:

    Inventories consist of the following:

                                            1998           1997      
                                         ----------      ---------    
    Finished goods                      $10,006,000     $5,418,000
    Raw materials and packaging           3,272,000      1,217,000
                                         ----------      ---------
                                        $13,278,000     $6,635,000
                                         ==========      =========


6.  GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS:

    Goodwill and other intangible assets consist of the following:

                                            1998             1997   
                                         ----------       ----------
    Goodwill                            $56,618,000      $30,645,000
    Other intangible assets                 955,000          617,000
                                         ----------       ----------
                                         57,573,000       31,262,000

    Less: Accumulated amortization        3,320,000        2,074,000
                                         ----------       ----------
                                        $54,253,000      $29,188,000
                                         ==========       ==========
<PAGE>
    Substantially all unamortized goodwill relates to the acquisition of Hain, 
    Westbrae, Estee, Boston Popcorn and Kineret Foods.  The entities have been
    in operation for many years and are viewed to have an unlimited life.
    Accordingly, such goodwill is being amortized over the maximum period (40 
    years) permitted by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 17.  The
    increase in goodwill during 1998 is substantially all attributable to the
    acquisition of Westbrae.


7.  LONG-TERM DEBT:

    Long-term debt consists of the following:
 
                                            1998           1997              
                                         ----------      ---------- 
    Senior Term Loan                    $18,600,000    $  4,847,000
    Revolving Credit                      2,350,000       2,250,000
    12.5% Subordinated Debentures,
     net of unamortized original
     issue discount of $1,195,000                         7,305,000
    Notes payable to sellers in 
     connection with acquisition
     of companies, and other
     long-term debt                         165,000         532,000
                                         ----------      ----------
                                         21,115,000      14,934,000
                                            
    Current portion                       4,554,000       4,178,000
                                         ----------      ---------- 
                                        $16,561,000     $10,756,000
                                         ==========      ==========

    On October 14, 1997, in connection with the acquisition of Westbrae, the 
    Company and its bank entered into a $40 million Amended and Restated Credit
    Facility ("Facility") providing for a $30 million senior term loan and a
    $10 million revolving credit line.  The Facility replaced the Company's
    existing $18 million facility with the same bank.  The Company borrowed the
    full $30 million senior term loan to fund the cash purchase price and
    related closing costs of the acquisition and to repay certain existing
    debt of the Company and Westbrae.  On December 8, 1997, the Company repaid
    approximately $20.9 million of such debt from the proceeds of a public
    offering of its common stock.  The current portion of long-term debt at
    June 30, 1998 is based on the terms of the Facility prior to its
    refinancing on July 1, 1998 as set forth below.

    At June 30, 1998 and 1997, the interest rate on the Facility was 9.50%.
<PAGE>
    On July 1, 1998, in connection with the acquisitions of businesses from The
    Shansby Group (see Note 15), the Facility was further amended to provide
    for a $60 million senior term loan and a $15 million revolving credit.  The
    entire senior term loan was borrowed on that date to pay the cash portion
    of the purchase price of the acquisitions, fund closing costs, and to repay
    the then existing balance ($18.6 million) on the Facility.  The interest
    rate on the Facility is based partially on the ratio of outstanding debt to
    operating cash flow (as defined).  The Company may elect to pay interest
    based on the bank's base rate or the LIBOR rate.  Borrowings on a base rate
    basis may range from 0.50% below the bank's base rate to 1.00% above the
    bank's base rate.  Borrowings on a LIBOR basis may range from 1.75% to
    3.00% over the LIBOR rate.  The entire senior term loan is currently
    borrowed on a LIBOR basis.  The senior term loan is repayable in quarterly
    principal installments (the first principal payment commences on December
    31, 1998) through maturity of the Facility on September 30, 2005.  Pursuant
    to the revolving credit line, the Company may borrow up to 85% of eligible
    trade receivables and 60% of eligible inventories.  Amounts outstanding
    under the Facility are collateralized by principally all of the Company's
    assets. The Facility contains certain financial and other restrictive
    covenants which, among other matters, restrict the payment of dividends
    and the incurrence of additional indebtedness. The Company is also required
    to maintain various financial ratios, including minimum working capital and
    interest and fixed charge coverage ratios and is required to achieve
    certain earnings levels.  As of August 31, 1998, $13 million was available
    under the Company's revolving credit line.  Utilization of the revolving
    credit line varies over the course of the year based on inventory
    requirements.

    The 12.5% Subordinated Debentures ("Debentures") provided for the payment
    of interest semi-annually in arrears.  In connection with the issuance of 
    the Debentures, the Company also issued 768,229 shares of common stock to
    the Debenture holders.  Such shares were valued at $1,644,000 and applied
    as a discount of the value of the Debentures.  The discount was being 
    amortized using the interest method over the life of the Debentures.
    Amortization expense for the years ended June 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996
    amounted to $151,000, $166,000 and $141,000, respectively.  On April 15,
    1998, the Company prepaid all $8.5 million of the Debentures, constituting
    the entire outstanding principal amount.  The prepayment was funded by an
    increase in the Company's senior term loan with its bank, which senior
    term loan bears interest at a lower interest rate than the Debentures.  In
    connection with the prepayment, the Company wrote off the prepayment fee
    of $612,000, as well as unamortized original issue discounts and financing
    fees for the Debentures. This resulted in an extraordinary charge (net of
    income tax effect) of approximately $1.3 million for the year ended 
    June 30, 1998.  The prepayment of the Debentures is expected to result in
    reduced continuing interest costs and the elimination of the amortization
    of the financing costs with respect to the Debentures. 

<PAGE>
    Maturities of long-term debt at June 30, 1998 are as follows:

    Year Ending
      June 30     
     --------  
      1999                     $ 4,554,000
      2000                       3,306,000
      2001                       3,875,000
      2002                       3,960,000
      2003                       4,440,000
      Thereafter                   980,000
                                ----------
      Total long-term debt     $21,115,000
                                ==========

    The above table does not give effect to the refinancing of the Facility
    incurred in connection with the acquisitions on July 1, 1998.  Maturities
    of long-term debt, after giving effect to the such refinancing, amount to
    approximately $5.2 million (including the revolving credit facility of $2.4 
    million) in fiscal year 1999, $4.3 million in fiscal 2000, $7.2 million in
    fiscal 2001, $9.5 million in fiscal 2002, $10.8 million in fiscal 2003 and
    $25.6 million thereafter.

    Interest paid during the years ended June 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996 amounted
    to $2,376,000, $1,768,000 and $1,820,000, respectively.


8.  INCOME TAXES:

    The provision for income taxes (excluding the tax benefit applicable to
    the extraordinary charge in 1998) for the years ended June 30, 1998, 1997
    and 1996 are as follows:

                                      1998       1997        1996          
                                    --------    -------    --------
    Current:
     Federal                      $2,309,000   $541,000   $1,337,000
     State                           317,000    154,000      257,000
                                   ---------    -------    ---------
                                   2,626,000    695,000    1,594,000
    Deferred Federal and State       624,000     91,000       36,000
                                   ---------    -------    ---------
    Total                         $3,250,000   $786,000   $1,630,000
                                   =========    =======    =========

    Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences 
    between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial
    reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.

<PAGE>
    Components of the Company's deferred tax liability as of June 30, 1998
    and 1997 are as follows:

                                            1998          1997   
                                          -------       -------
    Difference in amortization period
     on goodwill and intangibles         $(428,000)    $(186,000)
    Basis difference on property and
     equipment                             (95,000)     (102,000)
    Basis difference on inventory          119,000       134,000
    Deferred charges                      (825,000)     (462,000)
    Allowance for doubtful accounts         53,000        64,000
                                         ---------       -------
    Net deferred tax liability         $(1,176,000)    $(552,000)
                                         =========       =======

    Reconciliations of expected income taxes at the U.S. federal statutory rate
    to the Company's provision for income taxes for the years ended June 30, 
    1998, 1997 and 1996 are as follows:
  
                             1998    %       1997    %          1996     % 
                         ----------------   -------------    ---------------   
    Expected U.S. federal
     income tax at
     statutory rate     $2,681,000  34.0%  $630,000  34.0%  $1,280,000  34.0%
    State income taxes,
     net of federal
     benefit               235,000   3.0    102,000   5.5      172,000   4.6
    Non-deductible
     expenses              334,000   4.2    169,000   9.1      167,000   4.4
    Other                                  (115,000) (6.2)      11,000    .3
                         ---------  ----    -------  ----    ---------  ----
    Provision for
     income taxes       $3,250,000  41.2%  $786,000  42.4%  $1,630,000  43.3%
                         =========  ====    =======  ====    =========  ====

    Income taxes paid during the years ended June 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996 
    amounted to $809,000, $669,000 and $2,623,000, respectively.


9.  STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:

    Common Stock:

<PAGE>
    On December 8, 1997, the Company completed a public offering of 2,500,000
    shares of its common stock at $9 per share.  Proceeds to the Company, net
    of expenses of the offering, amounted to approximately $20.9 million, which
    was utilized to pay down the Company's credit facility with its bank.  In
    connection therewith, certain officers of the Company exercised options
    for an aggregate of 105,000 shares of common stock which were sold in the 
    public offering.  The Company received aggregate net proceeds of
    approximately $340,000 from the exercise of such options.

    Preferred Stock:

    The Company is authorized to issue "blank check" preferred stock (up to 5 
    million shares) with such designations, rights and preferences as may be 
    determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.  Accordingly, the 
    Board of Directors is empowered to issue, without stockholder approval, 
    preferred stock with dividends, liquidation, conversion, voting, or other
    rights which could decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for
    distribution to holders of the Company's common stock.  As at June 30, 1998
    and 1997, no preferred stock was issued or outstanding.

    Warrants:

    In connection with the acquisition of Estee in November 1995, the Company
    issued a warrant to the seller to purchase 200,000 shares of the Company's
    common stock at an exercise price of $6.50 per share.  In August and 
    September 1997, the seller exercised all of the warrants and the Company 
    issued 200,000 shares of Common Stock out of treasury for aggregate
    proceeds of $1,300,000.  The proceeds were used to pay down bank debt.

    In connection with the Weight Watchers agreement, the Company issued
    warrants on March 31, 1997, to acquire 250,000 shares of the Company's 
    common stock at prices ranging from $7.00 to $9.00 per share.  The value 
    ascribed to these warrants of approximately $312,000 is being amortized
    over ten years.
 
    In fiscal 1996 and 1997, the Company issued a total of 200,000 warrants in 
    connection with services rendered by third party consultants at prices 
    ranging from $4.13 to $8.00 per share.

    In connection with the acquisition of Westbrae on October 14, 1997 and the 
    related bank refinancing, the Company issued a warrant to its bank to 
    acquire 114,294 shares of the Company's common stock at an exercise price
    of $12.294.  The value ascribed to this warrant of approximately $377,000
    is being amortized over six years.  In addition, the Company issued a 
    warrant to Argosy Investment Corp. to acquire 100,000 shares of the 
    Company's common stock at an exercise price of $12.688.  The value ascribed
    to this warrant of approximately $426,000 has been included in the costs of
    the acquisition of Westbrae.

<PAGE>
    As at June 30, 1998, there are 3,025,000 shares of common stock reserved
    for issuance of warrants (1,214,000) and Employee and Director Stock
    Options (1,811,000).

10. LEASES:

    The Company's corporate headquarters are located in leased office space in 
    Uniondale, New York, under a lease, which expires in March 2002.  The 
    Company is in the process of leasing additional space at the same location. 
    These leases provide for additional payments of real estate taxes and other
    operating expenses over a base period amount.  In addition, the Company
    leases warehouse space for subsidiaries and a division under net leases
    which expire in August 1999, May 2000 and April 2003.

    The aggregate minimum future lease payments for these operating leases at
    June 30, 1998 are as follows:

           Year Ending
            June 30
           ----------
             1999                $   721,000
             2000                    697,000
             2001                    670,000
             2002                    587,000
             2003                    330,000
                                   ---------
                                  $3,005,000
                                   =========

    Rent expense charged to operations for the years ended June 30, 1998, 1997
    and 1996 was $457,000, $224,000 and $162,000, respectively.  


11. STOCK OPTION PLANS:

    In December 1994, the Company adopted the 1994 Long-Term Incentive and 
    Stock Award Plan ("Plan"), which amended and restated the Company's 1993
    stock option plan.  On December 9, 1997, the stockholders of the Company
    approved an amendment to increase the number of shares issuable under the
    1994 Long Term Incentive and Stock Award Plan by 345,000 to 1,200,000
    shares.  The Plan provides for the granting of incentive stock options to
    employees, directors and consultants to purchase shares of the Company's 
    common stock.  All of the options granted to date under the Plan have been
    qualified stock options providing for exercise prices equivalent to the
    fair market price at date of grant, and expire 10 years after date of
    grant.  Vesting terms are determined at the discretion of the Company.
    During 1996, options to purchase 103,500 shares were granted at prices 
    from $2.94 to $3.25 per share.  During 1997, options to purchase 475,000
    shares were granted at prices from $3.00 to $4.81 per share.  During 1998,
    options to purchase 298,600 shares were granted at prices from $4.50 to
    $14.13 per share.  At June 30, 1998, 94,000 options are available for
    grant.

<PAGE>
    The Company's Chief Executive Officer was granted 125,000 of the options
    granted in 1998, that had been conditionally granted to him at $4.8125 per
    share on the date of grant (June 30, 1997) pending approval of an increase
    in the number of shares available for grant (approved by shareholders on
    December 9,1997). The Company will incur a straight line non-cash
    compensation charge ($27,000 for fiscal 1998) over the 10-year vesting
    period based on the excess (approximately $461,000) of the market value
    of the stock options ($8.50 per share) on December 9, 1997 compared to
    $4.8125 per share market value on the date of grant.

    In December 1995, the Company adopted a Directors Stock Option Plan.  The 
    Plan provides for the granting of stock options to non-employee directors
    to purchase up to an aggregate of 300,000 shares of the Company's common
    stock.  During 1996, options for an aggregate of 90,000 shares were granted
    at a price of $3.50 per share.  During 1997, options for an aggregate of
    67,500 shares were granted at a price of $3.38 per share.  During 1998, 
    options for an aggregate of 67,500 shares were granted at prices of $8.50 
    and $19.68 per share.  At June 30, 1998, 75,000 options are available for
    grant. 

    The Company also has a 1993 Executive Stock Option Plan pursuant to which 
    it granted Mr. Irwin D. Simon, its founder and Chief Executive Officer,
    options to acquire 600,000 shares of the Company's common stock.  As a 
    result of the Company achieving certain sales thresholds, all of such
    shares are currently exercisable.  The exercise price of options designed 
    to qualify as incentive options is $3.58 per share and the exercise price 
    of non-qualified options is $3.25 per share.  None of Mr. Simon's options
    have been exercised.  The options expire in 2003.

    The Company has elected to follow APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock 
    Issued to Employees" ("APB 25") and related Interpretations, in accounting
    for stock options because, as discussed below, the alternative fair value
    accounting provided for under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
    No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" ("FAS 123"), requires
    use of option valuation models that were not developed for use in valuing
    employee stock options.  Under APB 25, when the exercise price of the
    Company's employee stock options at least equals the market price of the
    underlying stock on the date of grant, no compensation expense is
    recognized.

    Pro-forma information regarding net income and net income per share is
    required by FAS 123, and has been determined as if the Company has
    accounted for its stock options under the fair value method of that
    Statement.  The fair value for these options was estimated at the date
    of grant using a Black-Sholes option pricing model with the following 
    weighted-average assumptions: risk free interest rates ranging from 4.78%
    to 6.77%; no dividend yield; volatility factor of the expected market
    price of the Company's Common Stock of 40%; and a weighted-average 
    expected life of the options of five years at June 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996.

<PAGE>
    The Black-Sholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating
    the fair value of traded options which have no vesting restrictions and are
    fully transferable.  In addition, option valuation models require the input
    of highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock  price
    volatility.  Because the Company's stock options have characteristics
    significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes
    in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value
    estimate, in management's opinion, the existing models do not necessarily
    provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of its employee stock 
    options.

    For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the 
    options is amortized to expense over the options' vesting period.  The 
    Company's pro forma information is as follows:

                                  1998        1997       1996
                               ---------   ---------   --------
      Pro forma net income    $2,297,000    $747,000  $1,997,000
      Pro forma diluted net
       income per share           $  .19      $  .08      $  .22

    The FAS 123 method of accounting has not been applied to options granted
    prior to July 1, 1995.  As a result, the pro forma compensation cost may
    not be representative of that to be expected in future years.

    A summary of the transactions pursuant to the Company's stock options
    plans for the three years ended June 30, 1998 follows:

                           1998                1997              1996
                     ------------------  ------------------ -----------------
                               Weighted            Weighted          Weighted
                                Average             Average           Average
                               Exercise            Exercise          Exercise
                      Options    Price    Options    Price   Options   Price
                     ---------   -----   ---------   -----   -------   -----
    Outstanding at
     beginning of
     year            1,597,500   $3.61   1,090,000   $3.52   911,500   $3.57
      Granted          366,100    7.90     542,500    3.82   193,500    3.25
      Exercised       (274,400)   3.42     (15,000)   3.50
      Terminated       (47,800)   4.54     (20,000)   4.75   (15,000)   3.25
                     ---------    ----   ---------    ----  ---------   ----
    Outstanding at 
     end of year     1,641,400   $4.57   1,597,500   $3.61  1,090,000  $3.52
                     =========    ====   =========    ====  =========   ====

    Exercisable at  
     end of year     1,439,400           1,323,000          1,069,000
                     =========           =========          =========

    Weighted average
     fair value of
     options granted
     during year         $2.50               $1.57              $1.33
                          ====                ====               ====

<PAGE>
    The following table summarizes information for stock options outstanding 
    at June 30, 1998:

                                                     Weighted Average
       Exercise          Options       Options     Remaining Contractual
        Price          Outstanding   Exercisable       Life in Years
      -----------      -----------   -----------   ---------------------
      $2.94 -  $4.813    1,403,300    1,231,700            6.9
       8.50 -  10.00       213,100      192,700            9.4
      14.125 - 19.69        25,000       15,000            9.7
                         ---------    ---------
                         1,641,400    1,439,400            7.2
                         =========    =========

12. 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN:

    On July 1, 1994, the Company adopted a 401(k) Employee Retirement Plan
   ("Plan") to provide retirement benefits for eligible employees. All
    full-time employees of the Company and its subsidiaries who have attained
    the age of 21 are eligible to participate upon completion of 30 days of 
    service.  Participants may elect to make voluntary contributions to the 
    Plan in amounts not exceeding federal guidelines. On an annual basis, the
    Company may, in its sole discretion, make certain matching contributions.
    For the years ended June 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996, the Company made
    contributions of $22,000, $21,000 and $15,000, respectively.


13. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED):

    Unaudited quarterly financial data (in thousands, except per share amounts)
    for fiscal 1998 and 1997 is summarized as follows:

                                        Three Months Ended
                           --------------------------------------------
                           September    December      March      June
                            30, 1997    31, 1997    31, 1998   30, 1998
                           ---------    --------    --------   --------
    Net sales               $16,336     $28,676     $28,212     $31,029        
    Gross profit              6,474      11,626      11,520      12,836
    Operating income          1,379       2,747       3,020       3,340
    Income before
     income taxes and
     extraordinary charge       828       1,845       2,371       2,840
    Extraordinary charge                                         (1,342)
    Net income                  476       1,061       1,389         366

    Basic earnings per
     common share:
      Income before
      extraordinary charge    $ .05       $ .11       $ .12       $ .15
      Extraordinary charge                                        $(.12)
      Net income              $ .05       $ .11       $ .12       $ .03

    Diluted earnings per
     common share:
      Income before
       extraordinary charge   $ .05       $ .10       $ .11       $ .13
      Extraordinary charge                                        $(.10)
      Net income              $ .05       $ .10       $ .11       $ .03

<PAGE>
                                         Three Months Ended 
                              -----------------------------------------
                              September   December    March      June
                              30, 1996    31, 1996   31, 1997  30, 1997
                              ---------   --------   --------  --------
    Net sales               $15,437     $17,117     $13,623     $19,176
    Gross profit              5,729       6,578       5,030       7,235
    Operating income          1,170       1,246         600         987
    Income before 
     income taxes               589         752          57         457
    Net income                  336         428          33         272

    Basic income per
     common share             $ .04       $ .05       $ .00       $ .03
    Diluted income per
     common share             $ .04       $ .05       $ .00       $ .03


14. LITIGATION:

    A former financial advisor to Westbrae has made a demand for payment of
    fees and expenses in the amount of approximately $1.0 million relating to
    the sale of Westbrae to the Company in October 1997, and submitted the
    matter to arbitration. The Company believes, based on correspondence and 
    representations provided by former management of Westbrae, that the fee 
    agreement expired and terminated prior to the sale of Westbrae and that no
    fees are payable.  The Company is also from time to time involved in
    incidental litigation relating to the conduct of its business.  In the
    opinion of management, disposition of pending litigation will not have a
    material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations
    or financial condition.


15. SUBSEQUENT EVENT:

    On July 1, 1998, the Company acquired the following businesses and brands
    from The Shansby Group and other investors;, Arrowhead Mills (natural
    foods). DeBoles Nutritional Foods (natural pasta products), Terra Chips
   (natural vegetable chips) and Garden of Eatin', Inc. (natural snack
    products).
 
    The aggregate purchase price (excluding closing costs) for these businesses
    was $80 million.  The purchase price was paid by the issuance of 1,716,000
    shares of the Company's common stock with a market value of $40 million and
    $40 million in cash from the proceeds of an amended and restated credit 
    agreement with the Company's bank.  Sales for these business were
    approximately $55 million for the twelve months ended June 30, 1998. 

<PAGE>
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants
        on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

There were no changes in or disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and 
Financial Disclosure.

                                   PART III

Item 10, "Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant, Item 11, 
"Executive Compensation", Item 12, "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial 
Owners and Management", and Item 13, "Certain Relationships and Related 
Transactions", have been omitted from this report inasmuch as the Company will 
file with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A 
within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report a 
definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the
Company to be held on December 8, 1998, at  which meeting the stockholders will
vote upon election of the directors.  This information under the caption 
"Election of Directors" in such Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by 
reference.

                                    PART IV

Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K.

 (a)(1)  List of Financial statements

         Consolidated Balance Sheets - June 30, 1998 and 1997

         Consolidated Statements of Income - Years ended June 30, 1998, 1997
         and 1996

         Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Years ended June 30, 1998,
         1997 and 1996

         Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity - Years ended
         June 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996

         Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

    (2)  List of Financial Statement Schedules

         Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Schedule II)

    (3)  List of Exhibits

         Exhibit 23 - Consent of Independent Auditors

         Exhibit 27 - Financial Data Schedule

  (b)    Reports on Form 8-K

         On April 24, 1998, the Company filed a report on Form 8-K announcing
         the execution of a purchase agreement pursuant to which the Company 
         would acquire four leading natural food businesses from The Shansby
         Group and other owners.

         See Note 15 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for 
         information on the closing of this transaction on July 1, 1998.

         The Company did not file any other reports on Form 8-K during the 
         three months ended June 30, 1998.

<PAGE>
THE HAIN FOOD GROUP, INC.  AND SUBSIDIARIES

SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS




- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Column A         Column B      Column C          Column D      Column E
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Additions
                                  -----------------  
                                             Charged
                     Balance at  Charged to  to other               Balance at 
                      beginning   costs and  accounts-   Deductions   end of
                      of period   expenses   describe     describe    period
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended
 June 30, 1998
 Deducted from asset
  accounts:
   Allowance for
    doubtful accounts  $265,000   $70,000  $94,000 (1)  $104,000 (2)  $325,000

Year ended
 June 30, 1997
 Deducted from asset
  accounts:
  Allowance for
   doubtful accounts    $58,000  $290,000  $66,000 (1)  $149,000 (2)  $265,000

Year ended
 June 30, 1996
 Deducted from asset
  accounts:
  Allowance for
   doubtful accounts   $120,000  $123,000  $41,000 (1)  $226,000 (2)   $58,000




(1) Allowance for doubtful accounts at date of acquisition of acquired
    businesses.
(2) Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries.

<PAGE>
                             SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange 
Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its 
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                                        THE HAIN FOOD GROUP, INC.

25th day of September 1998              By: /s/ Irwin D. Simon       
                                        Irwin D. Simon
                                        President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the 
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


Signature                     Title                    Date


/s/ Andrew R. Heyer           Chairman of the Board    September 25, 1998
Andrew R. Heyer               of Directors  


/s/ Irwin D. Simon            President, Chief         September 25, 1998
Irwin D. Simon                Executive Officer
and Director

/s/ William Fox               Vice Chairman of the     September 25, 1998
William Fox                   Board of Directors


/s/ Jack Kaufman              Vice President-Chief     September 25, 1998
Jack Kaufman                  Financial Officer (a)


/s/ Beth L. Bronner           Director                 September 25, 1998
Beth L. Bronner


/s/ William P. Carmichael     Director                 September 25, 1998
William P. Carmichael


/s/ Jack Futterman            Director                 September 25, 1998
Jack Futterman


/s/ James S. Gold             Director                 September 25, 1998
James S. Gold 


/s/ Barry Gordon              Director                 September 25, 1998
Barry Gordon


/s/ Steven S. Schwartzreich   Director                 September 25, 1998
Steven S. Schwartzreich

(a) Mr. Kaufman was the Company's Chief Financial Officer through September 7, 
    1998 and assumed his new role as Senior Vice President-Business Development
    on September 8, 1998.


                                                                  Exhibit 23


                       Consent of Independent Auditors



We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Post-Effective Amendment
No. 1 to Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-38915) pertaining to The 
Hain Food Group, Inc. 1994 Long Term Incentive and Stock Award Plan, and the
Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-59761) of The Hain Food Group, Inc. 
and in the related Prospectus of our report dated September 10, 1998, with 
respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of The Hain Food 
Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the 
year ended June 30, 1998.


                                                  /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Melville, New York
September 24, 1998

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