PLAINVILLE, N.Y. -- Hain Pure Protein Corporation, a joint venture between Pegasus Capital Advisors L.P. and The Hain Celestial Group Inc., announced H.P.P.C.'s Kosher Valley brand will be sold to Empire Kosher Poultry Inc., one of the country's most established kosher poultry processors. The Kosher Valley branded product, the first brand of certified kosher antibiotic-free (A.B.F.), vegetarian fed and humanely raised all-natural branded chicken and turkey products, is expected to be produced in the Empire plant in Mifflintown, Penn.

Combining both premier kosher poultry brands is expected to provide operating efficiencies. Rabbi Yechiel Babad and the Orthodox Union have indicated their intention to continue to provide Kosher certification on the Kosher Valley brand product line.

"We are pleased that H.P.P. has entered into a letter of intent to exchange its Kosher Valley brand and customer relationships with Empire Kosher Poultry, Inc. for an equity interest in Empire," said Irwin Simon, a director of H.P.P. "Empire has been a premier brand in kosher poultry for many years, and Kosher Valley will benefit greatly from Empire's production capabilities and reputation for delivering high-quality products to a broad market. Hain Pure Protein has made significant investments over the last year in building Kosher Valley into the strong brand that it is today.”

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"Kosher Valley will allow Empire to make strides in growing our company," said Greg Rosenbaum, chief executive officer of Empire Kosher Poultry. "We're impressed with the work that Kosher Valley has done in developing the kosher A.B.F. product line and in building its distribution. Our combined volumes will improve operating efficiencies in our manufacturing plant, and allow us to offer much wider choice of products to consumers."