Avalon, Van's Bought in Separate Acquisitions

MELVILLE, N.Y. -- The natural products industry continued down a path of consolidation yesterday in two high-profile deals. Strengthening its position in the all-natural personal care market, Hain Celestial Group announced it will buy natural health and beauty care products maker Avalon Natural Products for $120 million. The company currently owns the Jason and Zia all natural skin care, HBC and cosmetics brands, as well as natural food companies including Arrowhead Mills, Garden of Eatin‘ and Walnut Acres. In a separate deal, Healthy Foods Holdings, a Boulder, Colo.-based private equity firm announced yesterday that it will acquire Van‘s International Foods, makers of organic and all-natural frozen waffles.