Investment firm Aurelius has entered into exclusive discussions to purchase Hain Daniels, the European business unit of US-based Hain Celestial, according to people familiar with the matter. The unit controls a portfolio of consumer food brands across the U.K. and Europe, and the talks are reported to be at an advanced stage but not yet concluded.
Hain Daniels' brands include Ella's Kitchen infant food and the vegan label Linda McCartney's. The division also markets New Covent Garden soups and Hartley's jam, alongside Sun-Pat peanut butter, Robertson's marmalade, Yorkshire Provender and Natumi dairy-free milk.
Aurelius, which is already the owner of retailer Footasylum, has reportedly emerged as the frontrunner after competing with other potential bidders. Market participants exploring a possible purchase reportedly included London-listed Princes Foods, among others. Observers cautioned that discussions remain exclusive but non-binding - and that the transaction could still fail to complete.
The potential sale follows a strategic decision by Hain Celestial earlier in 2026 to appoint advisers to pursue a divestment of its European operations. That move came after a pronounced decline in the parent company's share price: New York-listed Hain Celestial shares have fallen by more than two-thirds over the last year, leaving the business with a market value below $50 million.
Market reaction to the report was immediate: Hain Celestial shares traded about 5% higher following the news of the exclusive talks. While that bounce reflects investor response to the possibility of a sale, there remains considerable uncertainty until any definitive agreement is announced - and companies involved have not confirmed a final arrangement.
Summary of the transaction status:
- Exclusive discussions between Aurelius and Hain Daniels are underway but not finalized.
- Hain Daniels' portfolio comprises several well-known consumer food brands across infant food, vegan lines, spreads, soups and dairy-free alternatives.
- The parent company, Hain Celestial, initiated a sale process for its European operations earlier in 2026 after a steep share-price decline.