Organic Infant formula launch

RNS Number : 9438S

Hutchison China Meditech Limited

20 September 2010

 



 

Hutchison China MediTech Limited ("Chi-Med")

(AIM: HCM)

Hutchison Hain Organic launch

EARTH'S BEST[R] and ZHI LING TONG Co-branded

Infant formula in China

London: Monday, 20 September 2010: Chi-Med, the China-based healthcare and consumer products group, today announces the launch of its co-branded Earth's Best[R] and Zhi Ling Tong organic infant formula product in China through Hutchison Hain Organic Holdings Limited ("Hutchison Hain Organic"), its venture with The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. ("Hain Celestial"). The product is produced in Switzerland under an exclusive supply agreement with an independent supplier and has completed the China importation and certification process with approval from the Guangdong Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau of The People's Republic of China and a certificate of organic certification from the China Organic Food Certification Centre.

Earth's Best is a leading brand of organic baby food in the United States and Canada. Zhi Ling Tong is Chi-Med's premium infant nutrition brand in China.

"Our entry into the Chinese market through Hutchison Hain Organic continues with Chi-Med's highly regarded Zhi Ling Tong brand of infant products working together with our Earth's Best brand," said Irwin D. Simon, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hain Celestial. "As a leading natural and organic company in North America and Europe, we are excited to introduce a high quality organic infant formula produced in Switzerland specific to the needs of the Chinese market." 

The sales of infant formula market were estimated to be approximately US$3.4 billion in China in 2009. At the end of 2009, Zhi Ling Tong products were being sold through 13 sales offices across China covering more than 130 cities through over 160 wholesalers, national supermarket chains, drug store chains, approximately 3,600 mother/baby shops and 1,200 hospitals.

"We believe this commercial network in China provides a strong framework upon which to launch organic infant formula. Furthermore, we believe that mothers who trust and have used Zhi Ling Tong premium pregnancy supplements would be inclined to try our organic infant formula upon the birth of their baby," said Christian Hogg, Chief Executive Officer of Chi-Med. "The importance to China's families of the welfare of their children, coupled with increasing affluence and awareness of past quality issues, create a major opportunity for a world-class, organic certified infant food product range in China. Through our close partnership with Hain Celestial over the past two years, we have created what we believe to be one of the most premium infant formula products available on the China market. We believe the scope to build sales and market share is considerable." 

Ends

Enquiries

Chi-Med Christian Hogg, CEO	Telephone: [phone]
Citigate Dewe Rogerson Anthony Carlisle David Dible	Telephone: [phone] Mobile: [phone] Mobile: [phone]
Lazard & Co., Limited Paul Gismondi Nick Fowler	Telephone: [phone]

About Chi-Med

Chi-Med is the holding company of a pharmaceutical and healthcare group based primarily in China and was listed on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange in May 2006. It is focused on researching, developing, manufacturing and selling pharmaceuticals and health oriented consumer products.

Chi-Med is majority owned by Hutchison Whampoa Limited, an international company listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited.

About The Hain Celestial Group, Inc.

The Hain Celestial Group (NASDAQ: HAIN), headquartered in Melville, NY, is a leading natural and organic products company in North America and Europe. Hain Celestial participates in many natural categories with well-known brands that include Celestial Seasonings[R], Earth's Best[R], Terra[R], Garden of Eatin'[R], Sensible Portions[R], Health Valley[R], Arrowhead Mills[R], MaraNatha[R], SunSpire[R], DeBoles[R], Gluten Free Café[TM], Hain Pure Foods[R], Hollywood[R], Spectrum Naturals[R], Spectrum Essentials[R], Walnut Acres Organic[R], Imagine[R], Almond Dream[R], Rice Dream[R], Soy Dream[R], WestSoy[R], The Greek Gods[R], Ethnic Gourmet[R], Yves Veggie Cuisine[R], Granose[R], Realeat[R], Linda McCartney[R], Daily Bread[TM], Lima[R], Grains Noirs[R], Natumi[R], JASON[R], Zia[R] Natural Skincare, Avalon Organics[R], Alba Botanica[R], Queen Helene[R], Earth's Best TenderCare[R] and Martha Stewart Clean[TM]. Hain Celestial has been providing "A Healthy Way of Life[TM]" since 1993. For more information, visit www.hain-celestial.com.

 

END

 

 

MSCLMMATMBATMPM