Melville company launches organic baby food brand in China

Natural foods maker Hain Celestial Group Inc., of Melville, on Tuesday announced its entry into the Chinese baby-formula market with an official launch in Shanghai.

Hain said its Earth's Best and Zhi Ling Tong co-branded organic infant formula will be marketed through its Hutchison Hain Organic Holdings Ltd. joint venture.

"The product complies with regulations in China for infant feeding and is also certified organic by the China Organic Food Certification Centre," Hain said in a news release.

"It is produced in Switzerland under an exclusive agreement with an independent manufacturer."

Hain said its formula "is approved for import into China by the Guangdong Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau."

Hain has estimated that China's baby formula market is worth about $3.4 billion a year.

Zhi Ling Tong is a premium infant nutrition brand in China from Hutchison China Meditech Ltd., Hain said. And Earth's Best is a leading brand of organic baby food in the United States and Canada.