Agreement and Plan of Merger - Hain Food Group Inc. and Garden of Eatin' Inc.
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER BY AND BETWEEN THE HAIN FOOD GROUP, INC. AND GARDEN OF EATIN', INC. DATED APRIL 24, 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- <PAGE> TABLE OF CONTENTS <CAPTION> PAGE --------- ARTICLE I MERGER............................................................ B-1 1.1 Formation of Hain Subsidiary...................................... B-1 1.2 The Merger........................................................ B-1 1.3 Filing............................................................ B-1 1.4 Effective Time of the Merger...................................... B-1 ARTICLE II CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION; BY-LAWS; DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS..... B-2 2.1 Certificate of Incorporation...................................... B-2 2.2 By-Laws........................................................... B-2 2.3 Directors and Officers............................................ B-2 ARTICLE III CONVERSION OF SHARES.............................................. B-2 3.1 Conversion........................................................ B-2 (a) Merger Consideration.......................................... B-2 (b) Adjustment to Cash Merger Consideration....................... B-2 3.2 Exchange of Certificates.......................................... B-3 (a) Exchange Agent................................................ B-3 (b) Exchange Procedures........................................... B-3 (c) Exchange of Certificates...................................... B-3 (d) Distributions with Respect to Unsurrendered Certificates...... B-3 (e) No Further Rights in Company Common Stock..................... B-4 (f) No Fractional Shares.......................................... B-4 (g) Termination of Exchange Fund.................................. B-4 (h) No Liability.................................................. B-4 (i) Withholding Rights............................................ B-5 (j) Lost Certificates............................................. B-5 3.3 Stock Transfer Books.............................................. B-5 ARTICLE IV CERTAIN EFFECTS OF THE MERGER..................................... B-5 4.1 Effect of the Merger.............................................. B-5 4.2 Further Assurances................................................ B-5 ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY..................... B-6 5.1 Organization and Qualification.................................... B-6 5.2 Capital Stock of Subsidiaries..................................... B-6 5.3 Capitalization.................................................... B-6 5.4 Authority Relative to This Agreement.............................. B-6 5.5 No Violations, etc................................................ B-7 5.6 Financial Statements.............................................. B-8 5.7 Absence of Changes or Events...................................... B-8 5.8 Form S-4; Prospectus/Information Statement........................ B-8 5.9 Litigation........................................................ B-9 5.10 Title to and Condition of Properties.............................. B-9 5.11 Leases............................................................ B-9 5.12 Contracts; Bank Accounts; Indebtedness............................ B-9 (a) Contracts and Commitments..................................... B-9 (b) Bank Accounts................................................. B-10 (c) Indebtedness.................................................. B-10 i <PAGE> <CAPTION> PAGE --------- 5.13 Labor Matters..................................................... B-10 5.14 Compliance with Law............................................... B-10 5.15 Board Recommendation.............................................. B-11 5.16 Intellectual Property............................................. B-11 5.17 Taxes............................................................. B-11 5.18 Employee Benefit Plans; ERISA..................................... B-12 5.19 Environmental Matters............................................. B-15 5.20 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities................................ B-17 5.21 Finders or Brokers................................................ B-17 5.22 State Antitakeover Statutes....................................... B-17 5.23 [Intentionally Omitted]........................................... B-17 5.24 Insurance......................................................... B-17 5.25 Employment and Labor Contracts.................................... B-17 5.26 Inventory......................................................... B-17 5.27 Balance Sheet Reserves............................................ B-18 5.28 Qualification of Merger as a Tax Free Reorganization.............. B-18 ARTICLE VI REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF HAIN............................ B-19 6.1 Organization and Qualification.................................... B-19 6.2 Capital Stock of Subsidiaries..................................... B-19 6.3 Capitalization.................................................... B-19 6.4 Authority Relative to This Agreement.............................. B-20 6.5 No Violations, etc................................................ B-20 6.6 Commission Filings; Financial Statements.......................... B-21 6.7 Absence of Changes or Events...................................... B-21 6.8 Form S-4; Prospectus/Information Statement........................ B-21 6.9 Board Recommendation.............................................. B-22 6.10 Disclosure........................................................ B-22 6.11 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities................................ B-22 6.12 Finders or Brokers................................................ B-22 6.13 Opinion of Financial Advisor...................................... B-22 6.14 Employee Benefit Plans; ERISA..................................... B-22 6.15 Qualification of Merger as a Tax Free Reorganization.............. B-22 ARTICLE VII CONDUCT OF BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY AND HAIN PENDING THE MERGER.... B-23 7.1 Conduct of Business of the Company Pending the Merger............. B-23 7.2 Conduct of Business of Hain Pending the Merger.................... B-25 ARTICLE VIII COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS.......................................... B-25 8.1 Preparation of the Form S-4....................................... B-25 8.2 Letters and Consents of the Company's Accountants................. B-26 8.3 Letters and Consents of Hain's Accountants........................ B-26 8.4 Additional Agreements; Cooperation................................ B-26 8.5 Publicity......................................................... B-27 8.6 No Solicitation................................................... B-27 8.7 Access to Information............................................. B-28 8.8 Notification of Certain Matters................................... B-28 8.9 Resignation of Directors.......................................... B-28 8.10 Indemnification and Insurance..................................... B-28 8.11 Fees and Expenses................................................. B-29 ii <PAGE> <CAPTION> PAGE --------- 8.12 Nasdaq Listing.................................................... B-29 8.13 Shareholder Litigation............................................ B-29 8.14 Tax Treatment..................................................... B-30 ARTICLE IX CONDITIONS TO CLOSING............................................. B-30 9.1 Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the Merger........ B-30 (a) Shareholder Approvals......................................... B-30 (b) HSR Act....................................................... B-30 (c) No Injunctions or Restraints.................................. B-30 (d) Form S-4...................................................... B-30 (e) Nasdaq Listing................................................ B-30 (f) Consents and Approvals........................................ B-30 (g) Arrowhead Mills Transaction................................... B-30 9.2 Conditions to Obligations of Hain................................. B-30 (a) Representations and Warranties................................ B-30 (b) Performance of Obligations of the Company..................... B-31 (c) Consent of Accountants........................................ B-31 (d) Real Estate Holding Corporation............................... B-31 (e) Tax Opinion................................................... B-31 (f) Opinion of Company Counsel.................................... B-31 (g) Voting Agreement.............................................. B-31 (h) Post-Merger Ownership......................................... B-31 9.3 Conditions to Obligations of the Company.......................... B-31 (a) Representations and Warranties................................ B-31 (b) Performance of Obligations of Hain and Hain Subsidiary........ B-32 (c) Tax Opinion................................................... B-32 (d) Opinion of Hain Counsel....................................... B-32 (e) Merger Consideration.......................................... B-32 ARTICLE X TERMINATION....................................................... B-32 10.1 Termination....................................................... B-32 10.2 Effect of Termination............................................. B-33 ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS..................................................... B-33 11.1 Nonsurvival of Representations and Warranties..................... B-33 11.2 Closing and Waiver................................................ B-34 11.3 Notices........................................................... B-34 11.4 Counterparts...................................................... B-35 11.5 Interpretation.................................................... B-35 11.6 Amendment......................................................... B-35 11.7 No Third Party Beneficiaries...................................... B-35 11.8 Governing Law..................................................... B-35 11.9 Entire Agreement.................................................. B-35 11.10 No Recourse Against Others........................................ B-35 11.11 Validity.......................................................... B-35 iii <PAGE> DISCLOSURE SCHEDULES COMPANY DISCLOSURE SCHEDULES <CAPTION> SECTION ----------- 5.1. Organization and Qualification 5.2. Capital Stock of Subsidiaries 5.3. Capitalization 5.5. No Violations, etc. 5.6. Financial Statements 5.7. Absence of Changes or Events 5.9. Litigation 5.10. Title to and Condition of Properties 5.11. Leases 5.12. (a) Contracts and Commitments (b) Bank Accounts (c) Indebtedness 5.14. Compliance with Law 5.16. Intellectual Property 5.17. Taxes 5.18. Employee Benefit Plans; ERISA (r) Employee Termination (s) Excess Parachute Payments 5.19. Environmental Matters 5.20. Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities 5.21. Finders or Brokers 5.24. Insurance 5.25. Employment and Labor Contracts 5.26. Inventory 5.27. Balance Sheet Reserves 7.1. Conduct of Business of the Company 8.2 Accounting Financial Statements 8.4 Additional Agreements; Cooperation iv <PAGE> HAIN DISCLOSURE SCHEDULES <CAPTION> SECTION ----------- 6.2 Capital Stock of Subsidiaries 6.5 No Violations, etc. 6.6 Commission Filings; Financial Statements 6.7 Absence of Changes 6.12 Finders or Brokers EXHIBITS EXHIBIT A--Form of Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. EXHIBIT B--Form of Opinion of Cahill Gordon & Reindel v <PAGE> AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of April 24, 1998, by and between The Hain Food Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("HAIN"), and Garden of Eatin', Inc., a California corporation (the "COMPANY"). WITNESSETH: WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of each of Hain and the Company have approved the merger (the "MERGER") of the Company with and into a wholly owned subsidiary of Hain to be formed for the purpose thereof ("HAIN SUBSIDIARY"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein and in accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "DGCL") and the California General Corporation Law (the "CGCL"); WHEREAS, Hain will enter into an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated the date hereof (the "AMI MERGER AGREEMENT") with Arrowhead Mills, Inc., a Texas corporation ("AMI"), pursuant to which AMI will be merged with an into Hain Subsidiary at the Effective Time (as hereinafter defined); WHEREAS, for federal income tax purposes, it is intended that the Merger shall qualify as a tax free reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "CODE"). NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows: ARTICLE I MERGER 1.1 FORMATION OF HAIN SUBSIDIARY. Hain shall form Hain Subsidiary under the DGCL. Hain Subsidiary will be formed solely to facilitate the Merger and the transactions contemplated thereby and will conduct no business or activity other than in connection with the Merger. Hain will cause Hain Subsidiary to execute and deliver a joinder to this Agreement pursuant to Section 251 of the DGCL and will execute a written consent as the sole stockholder of Hain Subsidiary, approving the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Hain Subsidiary. 1.2 THE MERGER. At the Effective Time (as hereinafter defined), the Company shall be merged with and into Hain Subsidiary as provided herein. Thereupon, the corporate existence of Hain Subsidiary, with all its purposes, powers and objects, shall continue unaffected and unimpaired by the Merger, and the corporate identity and existence, with all the purposes, powers and objects, of the Company shall be merged with and into Hain Subsidiary and Hain Subsidiary as the corporation surviving the Merger (hereinafter sometimes called the "SURVIVING CORPORATION") shall continue its corporate existence under the laws of the State of Delaware. The name of the Surviving Corporation shall be Arrowhead Mills, Inc. 1.3 FILING. As soon as practicable after fulfillment or waiver of the conditions set forth in Sections 9.1, 9.2 and 9.3 or on such later date as may be mutually agreed to between Hain and the Company, the parties hereto will (i) cause to be filed with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, a certificate of merger (the "DELAWARE CERTIFICATE OF MERGER"), in such form as required by, and executed in accordance with, the relevant provisions of the DGCL, and (ii) cause to be filed with the office of the Secretary of State of California, a certificate of merger (the "CALIFORNIA CERTIFICATE OF MERGER"), in such form as required by, and executed in accordance with, the relevant provision of the CGCL. 1.4 EFFECTIVE TIME OF THE MERGER. The Merger shall be effective at the time that the filing of each of the Delaware Certificate of Merger and the California Certificate of Merger, or at such later time specified B-1 <PAGE> in such Certificates of Merger, which time is herein sometimes referred to as the "EFFECTIVE TIME" and the date thereof is herein sometimes referred to as the "EFFECTIVE DATE." ARTICLE II CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION; BY-LAWS; DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS 2.1 CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION. The Certificate of Incorporation of Hain Subsidiary shall be the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation. 2.2 BY-LAWS. The By-Laws of Hain Subsidiary shall be the By-Laws of the Surviving Corporation until the same shall thereafter be altered, amended or repealed in accordance with law, the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation or said By-Laws. 2.3 DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. The directors of Hain Subsidiary immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the directors of the Surviving Corporation, each to hold office in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation and By-laws of the Surviving Corporation, and the officers of Hain Subsidiary immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the initial officers of the Surviving Corporation, in each case until their respective successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified. ARTICLE III CONVERSION OF SHARES 3.1 CONVERSION. (a) MERGER CONSIDERATION. At the Effective Time, the issued shares of capital stock of the Company shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holders thereof, become and be converted as follows: each outstanding share of common stock, no par value, of the Company (the "COMPANY COMMON STOCK"), shall be converted into and become the right to receive the Pro Rata Amount (as defined below) of the Merger Consideration (as defined below). "MERGER CONSIDERATION" means $14,000,000, subject to adjustment in the manner set forth in Section 3.1(b), consisting of a combination of (x) shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "HAIN COMMON STOCK"), of Hain (the "STOCK MERGER CONSIDERATION") and (y) cash (the "CASH MERGER CONSIDERATION"). The allocation of Merger Consideration between Stock Merger Consideration and Cash Merger Consideration shall be determined at the sole option of Hain, by written notice to the Company on the third day prior to the Closing Date (as defined herein); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (i) if any of the Merger Consideration is comprised of Stock Merger Consideration, then at least 50% of the Merger Consideration shall be comprised of Stock Merger Consideration (before giving effect to any adjustments provided for in Section 3.1(b)) and (ii) the Cash Merger Consideration shall be at least $5,000,000 in the aggregate. The Stock Merger Consideration shall consist of the number of shares of Hain Common Stock having an aggregate market value based on the Closing Date Market Price (as defined below). With respect to any share of the Company Common Stock, "PRO RATA AMOUNT" means the product of the Merger Consideration multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is the aggregate number of all issued and outstanding shares of the Company Common Stock on the Effective Date, allocated between Stock Merger Consideration and Cash Merger Consideration in the proportion specified by Hain as set forth above. "CLOSING DATE MARKET PRICE" means, with respect to each share of Hain Common Stock, the average closing price for such share as reported on the National Market System of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. for the 10 most recent trading days ending on the third day prior to the Effective Time. (b) ADJUSTMENT TO CASH MERGER CONSIDERATION. The aggregate amount of Cash Merger Consideration shall be reduced immediately prior to the Effective Time by an amount equal to the sum of (i) the amount of fees, costs and expenses incurred or reasonably estimated to be incurred by the Company or incurred (but not paid) by the shareholders of the Company existing immediately prior to the Effective B-2 <PAGE> Time to the extent that the Company and/or the shareholders of the Company are liable therefor pursuant to Section 8.11 hereof and (ii) any indebtedness in the aggregate for borrowed money of the Company (net of cash and cash equivalents) as of the Closing Date; provided, any reduction in Cash Merger Consideration shall not result in any adjustment to the amount of Stock Merger Consideration for purposes of this Article III. The aggregate amount of Cash Merger Consideration shall be increasing by the amount, if any, that the Company's cash and cash equivalents exceed indebtedness for borrowed money as of the Closing Date. 3.2 EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES. (a) EXCHANGE AGENT. From and after the Effective Time, Hain shall make available to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company or such other bank or trust company designated by Hain (the "EXCHANGE AGENT"), for the benefit of the holders of shares of Company Common Stock, for exchange in accordance with this Article III through the Exchange Agent, (i) certificates evidencing a sufficient number of shares of Hain Common Stock issuable to holders of Company Common Stock to satisfy the requirements set forth in Section 3.1 relating to Stock Merger Consideration and (ii) an amount in cash evidencing the Cash Merger Consideration (such shares of Hain Common Stock and cash being hereinafter referred to as the "EXCHANGE FUND"). As promptly as practicable after the Effective Time, Hain shall cause the Exchange Agent to deliver the Stock Merger Consideration and Cash Merger Consideration contemplated to be issued pursuant to Section 3.1 out of the Exchange Fund in accordance with the procedures specified in this Section 3.2. Except as contemplated by Section 3.2(g) hereof, the Exchange Fund shall not be used for any other purpose. (b) EXCHANGE PROCEDURES. As promptly as practicable after the Effective Time, Hain shall cause the Exchange Agent to mail to each record holder of a certificate or certificates which immediately prior to the Effective Time represented outstanding shares of Company Common Stock (the "CERTIFICATES") (i) a letter of transmittal (which shall be in customary form and shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the Certificates shall pass, only upon proper delivery of the Certificates to the Exchange Agent) and (ii) instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the Certificates in exchange for the Merger Consideration. (c) EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES. Upon surrender to the Exchange Agent of a Certificate for cancellation, together with such letter of transmittal, duly executed and completed in accordance with the instructions thereto, and such other documents as may be reasonably required pursuant to such instructions, the holder of such Certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor (i) a certificate representing that number of whole shares of Hain Common Stock, if any, constituting Stock Merger consideration to which such holder is entitled pursuant to this Article III (including any cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Hain Common Stock to which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section 3.2(f) and any dividends or other distributions to which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section 3.2(d) (together, the "ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS")) and (ii), without interest, the amount of cash constituting Cash Merger Consideration such holder is entitled to pursuant to this Article III, and the Certificate so surrendered shall forthwith be canceled. In the event of a transfer of ownership of shares of Company Common Stock which is not registered in the transfer records of the Company, the applicable Merger Consideration and Additional Payments, if any, may be issued to a transferee if the Certificate representing such shares of Company Common Stock is presented to the Exchange Agent, accompanied by all documents required to evidence and effect such transfer and by evidence that any applicable stock transfer taxes have been paid. Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 3.2, each Certificate shall be deemed at all times after the Effective Time to represent only the right to receive upon such surrender the applicable Merger Consideration with respect to the shares of Company Common Stock formerly represented thereby and Additional Payments, if any. (d) DISTRIBUTIONS WITH RESPECT TO UNSURRENDERED CERTIFICATES. No dividends or other distributions declared or made after the Effective Time with respect to Hain Common Stock with a record date after the B-3 <PAGE> Effective Time shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered Certificate with respect to Hain Common Stock the holder thereof is entitled to receive upon surrender thereof, and no cash payment in lieu of any fractional shares shall be paid to any such holder pursuant to Section 3.2(f), until the holder of such Certificate shall surrender such Certificate. Subject to the effect of escheat, tax or other applicable Laws, following surrender of any such Certificate, there shall be paid to the holder of the certificates representing whole shares of Hain Common Stock issued in exchange therefor, without interest, (i) promptly, the amount of any cash payable with respect to fractional Hain Common Stock to which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section 3.2(f) and the amount of dividends or other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time and theretofore paid with respect to such whole shares of Hain Common Stock, and (ii) at the appropriate payment date, the amount of dividends or other distributions, with a record date after the Effective Time but prior to surrender and a payment date occurring after surrender, payable with respect to such whole Hain Common Stock. After the Effective Time, each outstanding Certificate which theretofore represented shares of Company Common Stock shall, until surrendered for exchange in accordance with this Section 3.2, be deemed for all purposes to evidence ownership of the number of shares of Hain Common Stock into which the shares of Company Common Stock (which, prior to the Effective Time, were represented thereby) shall have been so converted. (e) NO FURTHER RIGHTS IN COMPANY COMMON STOCK. At the Effective Time all outstanding shares of Company Common Stock, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holders thereof, shall no longer be outstanding and shall be canceled and retired and shall cease to exist, and each holder of a certificate representing any such shares of Company Common Stock shall thereafter cease to have any rights with respect to such shares of Company Common Stock, except the right to receive the Merger Consideration for such shares of Company Common Stock. All Hain Common Stock constituting Stock Merger Consideration and cash constituting Cash Merger Consideration issued or paid, as the case may be, issued upon conversion of the shares of Company Common Stock in accordance with the terms hereof (including any cash paid pursuant to Section 3.2(d) or (f)) shall be deemed to have been issued or paid, as the case may be, in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to such shares of Company Common Stock. (f) NO FRACTIONAL SHARES. No fractional shares of Hain Common Stock shall be issued in the Merger. In lieu of any such fractional shares, each holder of Company Common Stock, who would otherwise have been entitled to a fraction of Hain Common Stock pursuant to this Article III, will be paid an amount in cash (without interest) rounded to the nearest cent, determined by multiplying (i) the average of the Closing Date Market Price of the Hain Common Stock by (ii) the fractional interest to which such holder would otherwise be entitled (after taking into account all shares of Company Common Stock held of record by such holder at the Effective Time). (g) TERMINATION OF EXCHANGE FUND. Any portion of the Exchange Fund which remains undistributed to the holders of Company Common Stock for 12 months after the Effective Time shall be delivered to Hain, upon demand, and any holders of Company Common Stock who have not theretofore complied with this Article III shall thereafter look only to Hain (who shall thereafter act as Exchange Agent) for the applicable Merger Consideration and any Additional Payments to which they are entitled. Any portion of the Exchange Fund remaining unclaimed by holders of shares of Company Common Stock as of a date which is immediately prior to such time as such amounts would otherwise escheat to or become property of any government entity shall, on the third anniversary of the Effective Date and to the extent permitted by applicable law, become the property of Hain free and clear of any claims or interest of any person previously entitled thereto. (h) NO LIABILITY. None of the Exchange Agent, Hain or the Surviving Corporation shall be liable to any holder of Certificates for any shares of Hain Common Stock (or dividends or distributions with respect thereto), or cash delivered to a public official pursuant to any abandoned property, escheat or similar law. B-4 <PAGE> (i) WITHHOLDING RIGHTS. Each of the Surviving Corporation and Hain shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement to any holder of Certificates such amounts as it is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Code, or any provision of state, local or foreign tax law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld by the Surviving Corporation or Hain, as the case may be, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the holder of the Certificates in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made by the Surviving Corporation or Hain, as the case may be. (j) Lost Certificates. If any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of a customary affidavit and indemnity agreement of that fact by the person claiming such Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed, the Exchange Agent will issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate the applicable Merger Consideration and Additional Payments, if any. 3.3 STOCK TRANSFER BOOKS. At the Effective Time, the stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed and there shall be no further registration of transfers of shares of Company Common Stock thereafter on the records of the Company. On or after the Effective Time, any Certificates presented to the Exchange Agent or Hain for any reason shall be converted into the applicable Merger Consideration and Additional Payments, if any. ARTICLE IV CERTAIN EFFECTS OF THE MERGER 4.1 EFFECT OF THE MERGER. The effects and consequences of the Merger shall be as set forth in Section 259 of the DGCL and Section 1107 of the CGCL. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, on and after the Effective Time and pursuant to the DGCL and the CGCL, the Surviving Corporation shall possess all the rights, privileges, immunities, powers, and purposes of each of Hain Subsidiary and the Company; all the property, real and personal, including subscriptions to shares, causes of action and every other asset (including books and records) of Hain Subsidiary and the Company shall vest in the Surviving Corporation without further act or deed; and the Surviving Corporation shall assume and be liable for all the liabilities, obligations and penalties of Hain Subsidiary and the Company; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that this shall in no way impair or affect the indemnification obligations of any party pursuant to the indemnification provisions of this Agreement. No liability or obligation due or to become due and no claim or demand for any cause existing against either Hain Subsidiary or the Company, or any stockholder or shareholder, officer or director thereof, shall be released or impaired by the Merger, and no action or proceeding, whether civil or criminal, then pending by or against Hain Subsidiary or the Company, or any stockholder or shareholder, officer or director thereof, shall abate or be discontinued by the Merger, but may be enforced, prosecuted, settled or compromised as if the Merger had not occurred, and the Surviving Corporation may be substituted in any such action or proceeding in place of Hain Subsidiary or the Company. 4.2 FURTHER ASSURANCES. If at any time after the Effective Time, any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement and to vest the Surviving Corporation with full right, title and possession to all assets, property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of either of Hain Subsidiary or the Company, the officers of such corporation are fully authorized in the name of their corporation or otherwise to take, and shall take, all such further action. B-5 <PAGE> ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY The Company represents and warrants to Hain as follows: 5.1 ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and has all requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to do business, and is in good standing, in each jurisdiction where the character of its properties owned or leased or the nature of its activities makes such qualification necessary, except for failures to be so qualified or in good standing which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the business, operations or financial condition of the Company and its subsidiaries and AMI and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole (a "COMPANY MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT"). Section 5.1 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth, with respect to the Company and each of its subsidiaries, the jurisdiction in which they are qualified or otherwise licensed as a foreign corporation to do business. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of any of the provisions of its certificate or articles of incorporation or organization (or other applicable charter document) or by-laws. The Company has delivered to Hain accurate and complete copies of the certificate or articles of incorporation or organization (or other applicable charter document) and by-laws, as currently in effect, of each of the Company and its subsidiaries. 5.2 CAPITAL STOCK OF SUBSIDIARIES. The only direct or indirect subsidiaries of the Company are those listed in Section 5.2 of the Disclosure Schedule. The Company is directly or indirectly the record and beneficial owner of all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of each of its subsidiaries, except as disclosed in Section 5.2 of the Disclosure Schedule, there are no proxies with respect to such shares, and no equity securities of any of such subsidiaries are or may be required to be issued by reason of any options, warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe for, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for, shares of any capital stock of any such subsidiary, and there are no contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which any such subsidiary is bound to issue additional shares of its capital stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for such shares. Other than as set forth in Section 5.2 of the Disclosure Schedule, all of such shares so owned by the Company are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by it free and clear of any claim, lien or encumbrance of any kind with respect thereto. Except as disclosed in Section 5.2 of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company does not directly or indirectly own any interest in any corporation, partnership, joint venture or other business association or entity. 5.3 CAPITALIZATION. The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 100,000 shares of common stock, no par value (the "COMPANY COMMON STOCK"). As of the date hereof, 20,000 shares of Company Common Stock were issued and outstanding. All of such issued and outstanding shares of Company Common Stock are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of preemptive rights. Except as set forth in Section 5.3 of the Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any agreement or understanding, oral or written, which (a) grants an option or other right to acquire any of the Company Common Stock or any other equitable interest in the Company, (b) grants a right of first refusal or other such similar right upon the sale of any of the Company Common Stock, or (c) restricts or affects the voting rights of any of the Company Common Stock. 5.4 AUTHORITY RELATIVE TO THIS AGREEMENT. The Company has full corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the Merger and other transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the Merger and other transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company and no other corporate proceedings on the part of the Company are necessary to authorize this Agreement or to consummate the Merger or other transactions contemplated hereby (other than, with B-6 <PAGE> respect to the Merger, the approval of the Company's shareholders pursuant to the CGCL). This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by Hain, constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that its enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally or by general equitable or fiduciary principles. 5.5 NO VIOLATIONS, ETC. (a) Assuming that all filings, permits, authorizations, consents and approvals or waivers thereof have been duly made or obtained as contemplated by Section 5.5(b) hereof, except as listed in Section 5.5 of the Disclosure Schedule, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company nor the consummation of the Merger or other transactions contemplated hereby nor compliance by the Company with any of the provisions hereof will (i) violate, conflict with, or result in a breach of any provision of, or constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under, or result in the termination or suspension of, or accelerate the performance required by, or result in a right of termination or acceleration under, or result in the creation of any lien, security interest, charge or encumbrance upon any of the properties or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of (x) their respective charters or by-laws, (y) except as set forth in Section 5.5 of the Disclosure Schedule, any note, bond, mortgage, indenture or deed of trust, or (z) any license, lease, agreement or other instrument or obligation to which the Company or any such subsidiary is a party or to which they or any of their respective properties or assets may be subject, or (ii) subject to compliance with the statutes and regulations referred to in the next paragraph, violate any judgment, ruling, order, writ, injunction, decree, statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets, except, in the case of clauses (i)(y), (i)(z) and (ii) above, for such violations, conflicts, breaches, defaults, terminations, suspensions, accelerations, rights of termination or acceleration or creations of liens, security interests, charges or encumbrances which would not, individually or in the aggregate, either have a Company Material Adverse Effect or materially impair the Company's ability to consummate the Merger or other transactions contemplated hereby. (b) Except as set forth in Section 5.5 of the Disclosure Schedule, no filing or registration with, notification to and no permit, authorization, consent or approval of any governmental entity (including, without limitation, any federal, state or local regulatory authority or agency) is required by the Company in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation by the Company of the Merger or other transactions contemplated hereby, except (i) in connection with the applicable requirements of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR ACT"), (ii) the filing of the Delaware Certificate of Merger and the California Certificate of Merger, (iii) the approval of the Company's shareholders pursuant to the CGCL, (iv) filings with applicable state regulatory authorities identified in Section 5.5 of the Disclosure Schedule, (v) filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and (vi) such other filings, registrations, notifications, permits, authorizations, consents or approvals the failure of which to be obtained, made or given would not, individually or in the aggregate, either have the Company Material Adverse Effect or materially impair the Company's ability to consummate the Merger or other transactions contemplated hereby. (c) As of the date hereof, except as set forth in Section 5.5 of the Disclosure Schedule, none of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is in violation of or default under (x) its respective certificate or articles of incorporation or organization or by-laws, (y) any note, bond, mortgage, indenture or deed of trust, or (z) any license, lease, agreement or other instrument or obligation to which the Company or any such subsidiary is a party or to which they or any of their respective properties or assets may be subject, except, in the case of clauses (y) and (z) above, for such violations or defaults which would not, individually or in the aggregate, either have a Company Material Adverse Effect or materially impair the Company's ability to consummate the Merger or other transactions contemplated hereby. B-7 <PAGE> 5.6 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Set forth in Section 5.6 of the Disclosure Schedule are true and complete copies of the unaudited balance sheets of the Company at December 31, 1997 (the "DECEMBER 31 BALANCE SHEET") and the unaudited statements of income, of the Company for the year ended December 31, 1997 (collectively, the "DECEMBER 31 FINANCIALS"). Except as set forth in Section 5.6 of the Disclosure Schedule, the December 31 Financials fairly present, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 1997, and the results of operations of the Company for the period then ended, and have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied by the Company, except that such financial statements will not include any footnote disclosures that might otherwise be required to be included by generally accepted accounting principles, and shall also be subject to normal non-recurring year-end audit adjustments. Except as set forth in Section 5.6 of the Disclosure Schedule, the December 31 Balance Sheet reflects all liabilities of the Company, whether absolute, accrued or contingent, as of the date thereof of the type required to be reflected or disclosed on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. 5.7 ABSENCE OF CHANGES OR EVENTS. Except as set forth on Section 5.7 of the Disclosure Schedule, since December 31, 1997: (a) there has been no material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change, in the business, operations or financial condition of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; (b) there has not been any direct or indirect redemption, purchase or other acquisition of any shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or any declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or other distribution by the Company or any of its subsidiaries in respect of its capital stock; (c) except in the ordinary course of its business and consistent with past practice, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has incurred any indebtedness for borrowed money, or assumed, guaranteed, endorsed or otherwise as an accommodation become responsible for the obligations of any other individual, firm or corporation, or made any loans or advances to any other individual, firm or corporation; (d) there has not been any change in the financial or the accounting methods, principles or practices of the Company or its subsidiaries; (e) except in the ordinary course of business and for amounts which are not material, there has not been any revaluation by the Company or any of its subsidiaries of any of their respective assets, including, without limitation, writing down the value of inventory or writing off notes or accounts receivables; and (f) there has not been any agreement by the Company or any of its subsidiaries to (i) do any of the things described in the preceding clauses (a) through (f) other than as expressly contemplated or provided for in this Agreement or (ii) take, whether in writing or otherwise, any action which, if taken prior to the date of this Agreement, would have made any representation or warranty in this Article V untrue or incorrect. 5.8 FORM S-4; PROSPECTUS/INFORMATION STATEMENT. None of the information supplied or to be supplied by or on behalf of the Company for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the registration statement to be filed with the SEC by Hain in connection with the issuance of shares of Hain Common Stock in the Merger (the "FORM S-4") will, at the time the Form S-4 becomes effective under the Securities Act (as defined below), contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. None of the information supplied or to be supplied by or on B-8 <PAGE> behalf of the Company for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Prospectus/Information Statement, in definitive form, or in the soliciting material used in connection therewith (referred to herein collectively as the "PROSPECTUS/INFORMATION STATEMENT") will, at the dates mailed to shareholders pursuant to Section 8.1(b), contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. The Company will promptly inform Hain of the happening of any event prior to the Effective Time which would render such information regarding the Company incorrect in any material respect or require the amendment of the Prospectus/Information Statement. 5.9 LITIGATION. Except as set forth in Section 5.9 of the Disclosure Schedule, there is no (i) claim, action, suit or proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, threatened against or relating to the Company or any of its subsidiaries before any court or governmental or regulatory authority or body or arbitration tribunal, or (ii) outstanding judgment, order, writ, injunction or decree, or application, request or motion therefor, of any court, governmental agency or arbitration tribunal in a proceeding to which the Company, any subsidiary of the Company or any of their respective assets was or is a party except, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii) above, such as would not, individually or in the aggregate, either have a Company Material Adverse Effect or materially impair either of the Company's ability to consummate the Merger. 5.10 TITLE TO AND CONDITION OF PROPERTIES. Section 5.10 of the Disclosure Schedule contains a true and complete list of all real properties owned by the Company and its subsidiaries. Except as set forth in Section 5.10 of the Disclosure Schedule, each of the Company and its subsidiaries have good title to all of the real property and own outright all of the personal property (except for leased property or assets) which is reflected on the December 31 Balance Sheet except for property since sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice. Except as set forth in Section 5.10 of the Disclosure Schedule, no such real or personal property is subject to claims, liens or encumbrances, whether by mortgage, pledge, lien, conditional sale agreement, charge or otherwise, except for those which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect. 5.11 LEASES. Section 5.11 of the Disclosure Schedule contains a true and complete list of all leases requiring the payment of rentals aggregating at least $50,000 per annum pursuant to which real or personal property is held under lease by either of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, and true and complete copies of each lease pursuant to which either of the Company or any of its subsidiaries leases real or personal property to others. All of the leases so listed are valid and subsisting and in full force and effect and are subject to no default with respect to either of the Company or its subsidiaries, as the case may be, and, to the Company's knowledge, are in full force and effect and subject to no default with respect to any other party thereto, and the leased real property is in good and satisfactory condition. 5.12 CONTRACTS; BANK ACCOUNTS; INDEBTEDNESS. (a) CONTRACTS AND COMMITMENTS. Section 5.12(a) of the Disclosure Schedule contains a complete and accurate list of all Material (as defined below) existing outstanding contracts and commitments, whether written or oral, of the Company and its subsidiaries (i) the terms of which provide for the payment by the Company and its subsidiaries after the date hereof as the recipient of goods or services or involve the receipt by the Company or any of its subsidiaries as the provider of goods or services, (ii) whereby the Company or any of its subsidiaries leases equipment or real property, (iii) whereby the Company or any of its subsidiaries has a firm commitment to purchase capital equipment (or lease in the nature of a conditional purchase of capital equipment), (iv) which continue for a period of twelve months or more and are not subject to a unilateral right of termination by the Company without consideration, (v) which restrict or purport to restrict any business activities or freedom of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (or, to the knowledge of the Company, any of its officers or employees) to engage in any business or to compete with any person, or (vi) which relate to employment, consulting and agency agreements which provide for any severance or termination benefit, or any other agreements, contracts and commitments B-9 <PAGE> material to the Business. For purposes of this Section 5.12(a), a "MATERIAL" contract or commitment shall mean any contract or commitment which the Company or any of its subsidiaries would be required to file as an exhibit to reports filed by the Company with the SEC under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act if the Company were required to file reports thereunder. Except as set forth on Section 5.5 or Section 5.12(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, none of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is in default (nor is there any event which with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute a default) under any material contract or commitment. Section 5.12(a) of the Disclosure Schedule identifies each existing contract or commitment containing an agreement with respect to any change of control or any indemnification or other contingent obligations that would be triggered by the Merger. (b) BANK ACCOUNTS. Section 5.12(b) of the Disclosure Schedule contains a complete and accurate list of the name of each bank in which the Company or any of its subsidiaries has an account or safe deposit box (each, a "BANK ACCOUNT" and, collectively, the "BANK ACCOUNTS"), the account number thereof and the names of all persons authorized to draw thereon or to have access thereto. (c) INDEBTEDNESS. Section 5.12(c) of the Disclosure Schedule contains a complete and accurate list of all indebtedness for borrowed money of the Company and its subsidiaries showing the aggregate amount by way of principal and interest which was outstanding as of a date not more than seven days prior to the date of this Agreement and, by the terms of agreements governing such indebtedness, is expected to be outstanding on the Closing Date. Other than as set forth in Section 5.12(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, neither this Agreement, the Merger nor the other transactions contemplated hereby will result in any outstanding loans or borrowings by the Company or any subsidiary of the Company becoming due, going into default or giving the lenders or other holders of debt instruments the right to require the Company or any of its subsidiaries to repay all or a portion of such loans or borrowings. 5.13 LABOR MATTERS. Except to the extent that any of the following, individually or in the aggregate, would have a Company Material Adverse Effect, (a) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries fails to comply with all applicable laws respecting employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours, and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is engaged in any "unfair labor practice," as that term is understood pursuant to the National Labor Relations Act, as amended, (b) there is no labor strike, slowdown or stoppage pending (or, to the best knowledge of the Company, any labor strike or stoppage threatened) against or affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries and (c) no petition for certification has been filed and is pending before the National Labor Relations Board with respect to any employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries who are not currently organized. 5.14 COMPLIANCE WITH LAW. Except for matters set forth in Section 5.14 of the Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has violated or failed to comply with any statute, law, ordinance, regulation, rule or order of any foreign, federal, state or local government or any other governmental department or agency (including, without limitation, any required by the Food and Drug Administration or the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990), or any judgment, decree or order of any court, applicable to its business or operations, except where any such violation or failure to comply would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect; the conduct of the business of each of the Company and its subsidiaries is in conformity with all foreign, federal, state and local requirements, and all other foreign, federal, state and local governmental and regulatory requirements, except where such nonconformities would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect. The Company and its subsidiaries have all permits, licenses and franchises from governmental agencies required to conduct their businesses as now being conducted, except for such permits, licenses and franchises the absence of which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the representations and warranties of the Company with respect to the matters covered by Sections 5.13, 5.17, 5.18 and 5.19 are limited to the representations set forth therein, and no representation or warranty with respect to such matters are made by the Company in this Section 5.14. B-10 <PAGE> 5.15 BOARD RECOMMENDATION. The Board of Directors of the Company has, by a majority vote at a meeting of such Board duly held on April 20, 1998, approved and adopted this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby, determined that the Merger is fair to the shareholders of the Company and recommended that the shareholders of the Company approve and adopt this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby. 5.16 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. Section 5.16 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete and accurate list of all of the trademarks (whether or not registered) and trademark registrations and applications, patent and patent applications, copyrights and copyright applications, service marks, service mark registrations and applications, trade dress, trade and product names (collectively, the "INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY") owned or licensed by the Company and its subsidiaries. Except as set forth on Section 5.16 of the Disclosure Schedule, (i) each of the Company and its subsidiaries has or owns, directly or indirectly, all right, title and interest to such Intellectual Property or has the perpetual right to use such Intellectual Property without consideration; none of the rights of the Company and its subsidiaries in or use of such Intellectual Property has been or is currently being or, to the knowledge of the Company, is threatened to be infringed or challenged; (ii) all of the patents, trademark registrations, service mark registrations, trade name registrations and copyright registrations included in such Intellectual Property have been duly issued and have not been canceled, abandoned or otherwise terminated; and (iii) all of the patent applications, trademark applications, service mark applications, trade name applications and copyright applications included in such Intellectual Property have been duly filed. To the knowledge of the Company, the Company and its subsidiaries own or have adequate licenses or other rights to use all Intellectual Property, know-how and technical information required for their operation. 5.17 TAXES. Except as set forth in Section 5.17 of the Disclosure Schedule: (i) the Company and each of its subsidiaries have prepared and timely filed with the appropriate governmental agencies all Tax Returns required to be filed for any period (or portion thereof) ending on or before the Effective Time, taking into account any extension of time to file granted to or obtained on behalf of the Company and/or its subsidiaries, and each such Tax Return is complete and accurate in all material respects; (ii) all Taxes of the Company and each of its subsidiaries in respect of any period (or portion thereof) ending on or before the Effective Time have been paid in full to the proper authorities, other than such Taxes as are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and are adequately reserved for in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; (iii) all deficiencies asserted in writing resulting from examinations of any Tax returns filed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries have been paid or finally settled, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is presently under examination or audit by any taxing authority, and the Company has not received written notice of any pending examination or audit of the Company or any of its subsidiaries by any taxing authority; (iv) no extension of the period for assessment or collection of any Tax is currently in effect and no extension of time within which to file any Tax Return has been requested, which Tax Return has not since been filed; (v) no liens have been filed with respect to any Taxes of the Company or any of its subsidiaries other than in respect of property taxes that have accrued but are not yet due and payable; (vi) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has made, or is required to make, any adjustment by reason of a change in their accounting methods for any period (or portion thereof) ending on or before the Effective Time that would affect the taxable income or deductions of the Company or any of its subsidiaries for any period (or portion thereof) ending after the Effective Date; (vii) the Company and its subsidiaries have made timely payments of Taxes required to be deducted and withheld from the wages paid to their employees and from all other amounts paid to third parties; (viii) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any tax sharing or tax matters or similar agreement or is the indemnitor under any tax indemnification or similar agreement; (ix) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries owns any interest in any "controlled foreign corporation" (within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code) or "passive foreign investment company" (within the meaning of Section 1296 of the Code); (x) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has made an election under Section 341(f) of the Code; (xi) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any agreement or arrangement that provides for the payment of any amount, or the provision of any other benefit, that B-11 <PAGE> could constitute a "parachute payment" within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code; (xii) no claim has ever been made by an authority in a jurisdiction where the Company or any of its subsidiaries does not file Tax Returns that such entity is or may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction; (xiii) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has ever been a member of any affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group for any Tax purpose other than a group of which it is currently a member; (xiv) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is currently a "personal holding company" (as defined in Section 542 of the Code), and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has had any "undistributed personal holding company income" (as defined in Section 545 of the Code) at any point during its last three completed taxable years; (xv) none of the assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is "tax-exempt use property" (as defined in Section 168(h)(1) of the Code) or may be treated as owned by any other person pursuant to Section 168(f)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (as in effect immediately prior to the enactment of the Tax Reform Act of 1986); (xvi) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has been a "United States real property holding corporation," within the meaning of Section 897 of the Code at any time during the past five years; (xvii) there are no "excess loss accounts" (as defined in Treas. Reg. Section 1.1502-19) with respect to any stock of any subsidiary; (xviii) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has any (a) deferred gain or loss (1) arising from any deferred intercompany transactions (as described in Treas. Reg. SectionSection 1.1502-13 and 1.1502-13T prior to amendment by Treasury Decision 8597 (issued July 12, 1995) or (2) with respect to the stock or obligations of any other member of any affiliated group (as described in Treas. Reg. SectionSection 1.1502-14 and 1.1502-14T prior to amendment by Treasury Decision 8597) or (b) any gain subject to Treas. Reg. Section 1.1502-13, as amended by Treasury Decision 8597; (xix) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has requested a ruling from, or entered into a closing agreement with, the IRS or any other taxing authority in its current taxable year or at any time during its last three completed taxable years; and (xx) the Company has previously delivered to Hain true and complete copies of (a) all federal, state, local and foreign income or franchise Tax Returns filed by the Company and/or any of its Subsidiary for the last three taxable years ending prior to the date hereof (except for those Tax Returns that have not yet been filed) and (b) any audit reports issued within the last three years by the IRS or any other taxing authority. For all purposes of this Agreement, "TAX" or "TAXES" means (i) all federal, state, local or foreign taxes, charges, fees, imposts, levies or other assessments, including, without limitation, all net income, alternative minimum, gross receipts, capital, sales, use, ad valorem, value added, transfer, franchise, profits, inventory, capital stock, license, withholding, payroll, employment, social security, unemployment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, property and estimated taxes, customs duties, fees, assessments and charges of any kind whatsoever, (ii) all interest, penalties, fines, additions to tax or other additional amounts imposed by any taxing authority in connection with any item described in clause (i) and (iii) all transferee, successor, joint and several or contractual liability (including, without limitation, liability pursuant to Treas. Reg. Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar state, local or foreign provision)) in respect of any items described in clause (i) or (ii). For all purposes of this Agreement, "TAX RETURN" means all returns, declarations, reports, estimates, information returns and statements required to be filed in respect of any Taxes. 5.18 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS; ERISA. Except as set forth in Section 5.18 of the Disclosure Schedule: (a) The Company has furnished Hain with a true and complete schedule of all "employee pension benefit plans" as defined in Section 3(2) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), maintained or contributed to by the Company, any of its subsidiaries or any other ERISA Affiliates, or with respect to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries contributes or is obligated to make payments thereunder or otherwise may have any liability ("PENSION BENEFITS PLANS"), all "welfare benefit plans" (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA), maintained or contributed to by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or with respect to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries otherwise may have any liability ("WELFARE PLANS"), all multiemployer plans as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA covering employees employed in the United States to which such Company or any of its subsidiaries is required to make contributions or otherwise may have any B-12 <PAGE> liability, all stock bonus, stock option, restricted stock, stock appreciation right, stock purchase, bonus, incentive, deferred compensation, severance and vacation or other employee benefit plans, programs or arrangements that are not Pension Benefit Plans or Welfare Plans maintained or contributed to by the Company or a subsidiary or with respect to which the Company or any subsidiary otherwise may have any liability ("OTHER PLANS"). For purposes of this Agreement, "ERISA AFFILIATE" shall mean any person (as defined in Section 3(9) of ERISA) that is or has been a member of any group of persons described in Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code including the Company or any of its subsidiaries. (b) The Company and each of its subsidiaries, and each of the Pension Benefit Plans, Welfare Plans and Other Plans (collectively, the "PLANS"), are in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other applicable laws except where the failure to comply would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect. (c) All contributions to, and payments from, the Plans which are required to have been made in accordance with the Plans and, when applicable, Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code have been timely made except where the failure to make such contributions or payments on a timely basis would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a the Company Material Adverse Effect. (d) No Pension Benefit Plan subject to Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA has incurred an "accumulated funding deficiency" within the meaning of Section 412(a) of the Code as of the end of the most recently completed plan year. (e) Each of the Pension Benefit Plans intended to qualify under Section 401 of the Code satisfies in form the requirements of such Section except to the extent amendments are not required by law to be made until a date after the Closing Date, has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") regarding such qualified status, has not, since receipt of the most recent favorable determination letter, been amended, and has not been operated in a way that would cause the loss of such qualification or exemption or the imposition of any material liability, penalty or tax under ERISA or the Code. (f) Each Welfare Plan that is intended to qualify for exclusion of benefits thereunder from the income of participants or for any other tax-favored treatment under any provisions of the Code (including, without limitation, Sections 79, 105, 106, 125 or 129 of the Code) is and has been maintained in compliance in all material respects with all pertinent provisions of the Code and Treasury Regulations thereunder. (g) There are (i) no investigations, audits or examinations pending, or to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened by any governmental entity (including the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation ("PBGC")) involving any of the Plans, (ii) no termination proceedings involving the Plans and (iii) no pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened claims (other than routine claims for benefits), suits or proceedings against any Plan, against the assets of any of the trusts under any Plan or against any fiduciary of any Plan with respect to the operation of such plan or asserting any rights or claims to benefits under any Plan or against the assets of any trust under such plan, which would, in the case of clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of this paragraph (g), give rise to any liability which would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect. (h) None of the Company, any of its subsidiaries or any employee of the foregoing, nor any trustee, administrator, other fiduciary or any other "party in interest" or "disqualified person" with respect to the Pension Benefit Plans or Welfare Plans, has engaged in a "prohibited transaction" (within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406 of ERISA) which could result in a tax or penalty on the Company or any of its subsidiaries under Section 4975 of the Code or Section 502(i) of ERISA which would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect. B-13 <PAGE> (i) Neither the Pension Benefit Plans subject to Title IV of ERISA nor any trust created thereunder has been terminated nor have there been any "reportable events" (as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations thereunder) (for which the disclosure requirements of Regulation section 4043.1 ET SEQ., promulgated by the PBGC, have not been waived) with respect to either thereof which would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect nor has there been any event with respect to any Pension Benefit Plan requiring disclosure under Section 4063(a) of ERISA or any event with respect to any Pension Benefit Plan requiring disclosure under Section 4041(c)(3)(C) of ERISA which would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect. (j) With respect to any Pension Benefit Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA, there is not any amount of "unfunded benefit liabilities" (as defined in Section 4001(a)(18) of ERISA) under such plan determined based upon reasonable actuarial assumptions and the asset valuation principles established by the PBGC. (k) Neither the Company nor any subsidiary of the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or is reasonably likely to incur any material liability under Title IV of ERISA. (l) Neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate of the Company has incurred any currently outstanding liability to the PBGC or to a trustee appointed under Section 4042(b) or (c) of ERISA other than for the payment of premiums, all of which have been paid when due. No Pension Benefit Plan has applied for, or received, a waiver of the minimum funding standards imposed by Section 412 of the Code. The information supplied to the actuary by the Company or any of its subsidiaries for use in preparing the most recent actuarial report for Pension Benefit Plans is complete and accurate in all material respects. (m) Neither the Company, any of its subsidiaries nor any of their ERISA Affiliates has any liability (including any contingent liability under Section 4204 of ERISA) with respect to any multiemployer plan, within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA (a "MULTIEMPLOYER PLAN"), covering employees employed in the United States. (n) With respect to each of the Plans, true, correct and complete copies of the following documents have been made available to Hain: (i) the current plans and related trust documents, including amendments thereto, (ii) any current summary plan descriptions, (iii) the most recent Forms 5500 (if any) filed with respect to each such Plan, (iv) the most recent financial statements and actuarial reports, if applicable, (v) the most recent IRS determination letter, if applicable; and (vi) if any application for an IRS determination letter is pending, copies of all such applications for determination including attachments, exhibits and schedules thereto. (o) Neither the Company, any of its subsidiaries, any organization to which either of the Company is a successor or parent corporation, within the meaning of Section 4069(b) of ERISA, nor any of their ERISA Affiliates has engaged in any transaction described in Section 4069(a) of ERISA, the liability for which would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect. (p) None of the Welfare Plans maintained by the Company or any of its subsidiaries are retiree life or retiree health insurance plans which provide for continuing benefits or coverage for any participant or any beneficiary of a participant following termination of employment, except as may be required under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended ("COBRA"), or except where the full expense of such coverage or benefits is paid by the participant or the participant's beneficiary. The Company and each of its subsidiaries which maintain a "group health plan" within the meaning of Section 5000(b)(1) of the Code have complied with the notice and continuation requirements of Section 4980B of the Code, COBRA, Part 6 of Subtitle B of Title I of B-14 <PAGE> ERISA and the regulations thereunder except where the failure to comply would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect. (q) No liability under any Plan has been funded nor has any such obligation been satisfied with the purchase of a contract from an insurance company as to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries has received notice that such insurance company is in rehabilitation. (r) Except as set forth in Section 5.18(r) of the Disclosure Schedule, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not either alone or in connection with an employee's termination of employment or other event result in an increase in the amount of compensation or benefits or accelerate the vesting or timing of payment of any benefits or compensation payable to or in respect of any employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. (s) Except as set forth in Section 5.18(s) of the Disclosure Schedule, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not result in or satisfy a condition to the payment of compensation that would, in combination with any other payment, result in an "excess parachute payment" within the meaning of Section 280G(b) of the Code. (t) The Company has furnished Hain with a true and complete schedule of each Foreign Plan (as hereinafter defined) to the extent the benefits provided thereunder are not mandated by the laws of the applicable foreign jurisdiction. The Company and each of its subsidiaries and each of the Foreign Plans are in compliance with applicable laws and all required contributions have been made to the Foreign Plans, except where the failure to comply or make contributions would not, individually and in the aggregate have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Each of the Foreign Plans that is a funded defined benefit plan has a fair market value of plan assets that is greater than the plan's liabilities, as determined in accordance with applicable laws. For purposes hereof, the term "FOREIGN PLAN" shall mean any plan, program, policy, arrangement or agreement maintained or contributed to by, or entered into with, the Company or any subsidiary with respect to employees (or former employees) employed outside the United States. 5.19 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. Except as set forth in Section 5.19 of the Disclosure Schedule and except for such matters as would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect: (a) Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has obtained (or is capable of obtaining without incurring any material incremental expense) all Environmental Permits and has no reason to believe any of them will be revoked prior to their expiration, modified or will not be renewed, and have made all registrations and given all notifications that are required under any applicable Environmental Law. (b) There is no Environmental Claim pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or any of its subsidiaries under an Environmental Law. (c) The Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance with, and have no liability under, applicable Environmental Laws including, without limitation, all of their Environmental Permits. (d) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has assumed, by contract or otherwise, any liabilities or obligations arising under any Environmental Laws. (e) There are no past or present actions, activities, conditions, occurrences or events, including, without limitation, the Release of any Hazardous Materials, which could reasonably be expected to prevent compliance by the Company or any of its subsidiaries with any Environmental Law, or to result in any liability of the Company or any of its subsidiaries under any Environmental Law. (f) No lien has been recorded under any Environmental Law with respect to any property, facility or asset currently owned by the Company or any of its subsidiaries. (g) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notification that any Hazardous Materials that any of them or any of their respective predecessors in interest has used, B-15 <PAGE> generated, stored, treated, handled, transported or disposed of has been found at any site at which any person is conducting or plans to conduct any response or other action pursuant to any Environmental Law. (h) There is no friable asbestos or asbestos containing material in, on or at any property, facility or equipment owned, operated or leased by the Company or any of its subsidiaries. (i) No property now or previously owned, operated or leased by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company, any of their respective predecessors in interest is (i) listed or proposed for listing on the National Priorities List under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation & Liability Act of 1980, as amended ("CERCLA"), or (ii) listed in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, Liability Information System List promulgated pursuant to CERCLA, or on any comparable list established under any Environmental law. (j) No underground or above ground storage tank or related piping, or any surface impoundment, lagoon, landfill or other disposal site containing any Hazardous Material is located at, under or on any property owned, operated or leased by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any, to the knowledge of the Company, of their respective predecessors in interest, nor has any of them been removed or decommissioned from or at any such property. (k) The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the Merger and other transactions contemplated hereby and the exercise by Hain of rights to own and operate the businesses of each of the Company and its subsidiaries substantially as presently conducted will not affect the validity or require the transfer of any Environmental Permits held by the Company or any of its subsidiaries and will not require any notification, disclosure, registration, reporting, filing, investigation, or remediation under any Environmental Law. (l) The Company has delivered or otherwise made available for inspection to Hain copies of any investigations, studies, reports, assessments, evaluations and audits in its possession, custody or control of Hazardous Materials at, in, beneath or adjacent to any properties or facilities now or formerly owned, leased, operated or used by it or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective predecessors in interest, or of compliance by any of them with, or liability of any of them under, applicable Environmental Laws. For purposes of Section 5.19: (i) "ENVIRONMENT" means any surface water, ground water, drinking water supply, land surface or subsurface strata, ambient air, indoor air and any indoor location and all natural resources such as flora, fauna and wetlands; (ii) "ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIM" means any notice, claim, demand, complaint, suit or other communication by any person alleging potential liability (including, without limitation, potential liability for response or corrective action or damages to any person, property or natural resources, and any fines or penalties) arising out of or relating to (1) the Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Materials or (2) any violation, or alleged violation, of any applicable Environmental Law; (iii) "ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS" means all federal, state, and local laws, statutes, codes, rules, ordinances, regulations, judgments, orders, decrees and the common law as now or previously in effect relating to pollution or protection of human health or the Environment, including, without limitation, those relating to the Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Materials; (iv) "HAZARDOUS MATERIALS" means pollutants, contaminants, hazardous or toxic substances, constituents, materials or wastes, and any other waste, substance, material, chemical or constituent subject to regulation under Environmental Laws; B-16 <PAGE> (v) "RELEASE" means any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping or disposing into the Environment; and (vi) "ENVIRONMENTAL PERMIT" means a permit, identification number, license, approval, consent or other written authorization issued pursuant to any applicable Environmental Law. 5.20 ABSENCE OF UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES. Except as set forth in Section 5.6 or 5.20 of the Disclosure Schedule or in the December 31 Financials, neither of the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has any liabilities or obligations of any nature, whether absolute, accrued, unmatured, contingent or otherwise, or any unsatisfied judgments or any leases of personalty or realty or unusual or extraordinary commitments, except the liabilities recorded on the December 31 Balance Sheet and the notes thereto, and except for liabilities or obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice since December 31, 1997 that would not individually or in the aggregate have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the representations and warranties of the Company with respect to the matters covered by Sections 5.13, 5.14, 5.17, 5.18 and 5.19 are limited to the representations set forth therein, and no representation or warranty with respect to such matters are made by the Company in this Section 5.20. 5.21 FINDERS OR BROKERS. Except as set forth in Section 5.21 of the Disclosure Schedule, none of the Company, the subsidiaries of the Company, the Board of Directors of the Company or any member of the Board of Directors of the Company has employed any investment banker, broker, finder or intermediary in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby who might be entitled to a fee or any commission in connection with the Merger. 5.22 STATE ANTITAKEOVER STATUTES. The Company has been granted all approvals and taken all other steps necessary to exempt the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby from the requirements and provisions of the CGCL and any other applicable state antitakeover statute or regulation such that none of the provisions of such statute or any other "business combination," "moratorium," "control share" or other state antitakeover statute or regulation (x) prohibits or restricts the Company's ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or its ability to consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby, (y) would have the effect of invalidating or voiding this Agreement any provision hereof, or (z) would subject Hain to any material impediment or condition in connection with the exercise of any of its rights under this Agreement. 5.23 [Intentionally Omitted]. 5.24 INSURANCE. Except as disclosed in Section 5.24 of the Disclosure Schedule, each of the Company and each of its subsidiaries is, and has been continuously since December 31, 1996, insured in such amounts and against such risks and losses as are customary for companies conducting the respective businesses conducted by the Company and its subsidiaries during such time period. Except as disclosed in Section 5.24 of the Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice of cancellation or termination with respect to any material insurance policy thereof. All material insurance policies of the Company and its subsidiaries are valid and enforceable policies. 5.25 EMPLOYMENT AND LABOR CONTRACTS. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any employment, management services, consultation or other similar contract with any past or present officer, director, employee or other person or, to the best knowledge of the Company, any entity affiliated with any past or present officer, director or employee or other person other than those set forth in Section 5.26 of the Disclosure Schedule and other than the agreements executed by employees generally, the forms of which have been delivered to Hain. 5.26 INVENTORY. As of December 31, 1997, all inventory of each of the Company and its subsidiaries is valued on the Company's books and records at the lower of cost or market, except for such variances as would not have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth in Section 5.6 of the Disclosure Schedule, obsolete items and items of below standard quality have been written off or written down to their net B-17 <PAGE> realizable value on the books and records of the Company, except for such variances as would not have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth in Section 5.6 of the Disclosure Schedule, subject to reserves reflected on the December 31 Balance Sheet, all such inventory consisting of raw materials or packaging is usable in the ordinary course of business, and all such inventory consisting of finished goods is, and all such inventory consisting of work in process will upon completion be, of merchantable quality, meeting all material contractual, and all Food and Drug Administration and Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 requirements, and is, or in the case of work in process, will be, salable in the ordinary course of business, except for such variances as would not have a Material Adverse Effect. 5.27 BALANCE SHEET RESERVES. Except as set forth in Section 5.27 of the Disclosure Schedule, the reserves for accounts receivable reflected in the December 31 Financials have been established in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and such reserves, taken as a whole, are adequate to cover any losses relating to collectibility of accounts receivable. 5.28 QUALIFICATION OF MERGER AS A TAX FREE REORGANIZATION. (a) Neither the Company nor any person related to the Company within the meaning of Treas. Reg. SectionSection 1.368-1(e)(3), (e)(4) and (e)(5) has purchased, redeemed, or otherwise acquired, or made any extraordinary distributions (as defined in Treas. Reg. Section 1.368-1T(e)(1)(ii)(A)) with respect to, any shares of Company Common Stock prior to or in contemplation of the Merger, or otherwise as part of a plan of which the Merger is a part. (b) Other than the Company Common Stock, the Company does not currently have outstanding and at no point during the past twelve months had outstanding any indebtedness, options, warrants, or other debt or equity securities that have been or will be treated as stock for U.S. federal income tax purposes. (c) Following the Merger, the Surviving Corporation will hold at least 90 percent of the fair market value of the net assets and at least 70 percent of the fair market value of the gross assets of the Company immediately prior to the Merger. For purposes of this representation, amounts paid by Company to dissenters, amounts paid by the Company to shareholders who receive cash or other property in the Merger, amounts used by the Company to pay reorganization expenses, and all redemptions and distributions (except for regular, normal dividends) made by the Company will be included as assets of Company immediately prior to the Merger. (d) The Company and the shareholders of the Company have paid and will pay their respective expenses, if any, incurred in connection with the Merger. In connection with the Merger, the Company has not paid or assumed and will not pay or assume any expense or other liability, whether fixed or contingent, of any Company stockholder. In connection with the Merger, neither Hain nor any of its affiliates has paid or assumed or will pay or assume any expense of any Company shareholder or, except as provided in Section 8.11 of this Agreement, any expense of the Company. In connection with the Merger, no liabilities of Company stockholders have been paid or assumed or will be paid or assumed by Hain or its affiliates, nor will any shares of Company Common Stock acquired in the Merger be subject to any liabilities. (e) There is no indebtedness between Company and Hain. (f) None of the Merger Consideration received in the Merger by any shareholder-employees of the Company has been or will be separate consideration for, or allocable to, past or future services or any employment agreement. None of the compensation paid, or to be paid under any agreement or arrangement in effect on the date hereof, by the Company to any shareholder-employee of the Company will be separate consideration for, or allocable to, such shareholder-employee's shares of Company Common Stock, and such compensation has been or will be for services actually rendered in the ordinary course of his or her employment and has been or will be commensurate with amounts paid to third parties bargaining at arm's length for similar services. B-18 <PAGE> (g) The Company is not an investment company, as defined in Sections 368(a)(2)(F)(iii) and (iv) of the Code. (h) The liabilities of the Company assumed by the Surviving Corporation and any liabilities to which the assets of the Company are subject were incurred by the Company in the ordinary course of its business. (i) Neither the Company nor, to the Company's knowledge, any of its affiliates has taken, agreed to take, or will take any action that would prevent the Merger from constituting a transaction qualifying under Section 368(a) of the Code or that would prevent an exchange of Company Common Stock for Hain Common Stock pursuant to the Merger from qualifying as an exchange described in Section 354 of the Code (except with respect to any cash received in lieu of a fractional share). Neither the Company nor, to the Company's knowledge, any of its affiliates or agents is aware of any agreement, plan or other circumstance that would prevent the Merger from qualifying under Section 368(a) of the Code or that would prevent an exchange of Company Common Stock for Hain Common Stock pursuant to the Merger from qualifying as an exchange described in Section 354 of the Code (except with respect to any cash received in lieu of a fractional share) and to the Company's knowledge, the Merger and each such exchange will so qualify. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if none of the Merger Consideration consists of Stock Merger Consideration, then the representation set forth in this Section 5.28 shall not be deemed to be included in this Agreement, and shall be in any event be deemed to true and correct in all respects. ARTICLE VI REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF HAIN Hain represents and warrants to the Company that: 6.1 ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION. Each of Hain and Hain's subsidiaries is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and has all requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted. Each of Hain and Hain's subsidiaries is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to do business, and is in good standing, in each jurisdiction where the character of its properties owned or leased or the nature of its activities makes such qualification necessary, except for failures to be so qualified or in good standing which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the general affairs, management, business, operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of Hain and its subsidiaries taken as a whole (a "HAIN MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT"). Neither Hain nor any of Hain's subsidiaries is in violation of any of the provisions of its certificate or articles of incorporation or organization or by-laws. Hain has delivered to the Company accurate and complete copies of the certificate or articles of incorporation or organization (or other applicable charter document) and by-laws, as currently in effect, of each of Hain and its subsidiaries. 6.2 CAPITAL STOCK OF SUBSIDIARIES. The only direct or indirect subsidiaries of Hain are those listed in Section 6.2 of the Disclosure Schedule. Hain is directly or indirectly the record (except for directors' qualifying shares) and beneficial owner (including all qualifying shares owned by directors of such subsidiaries as reflected in Section 6.2 of the Disclosure Schedule) of all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of each of its subsidiaries. 6.3 CAPITALIZATION. The authorized capital stock of Hain consists of 40,000,000 shares of Hain Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, and 5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share. As of March 31, 1998, 11,386,899 shares of Common Stock are issued and outstanding and no shares of preferred stock are issued and outstanding. All of such issued and outstanding shares are, and any shares of Hain Common Stock to be issued in connection with this Agreement, the Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby will be, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of preemptive rights. B-19 <PAGE> 6.4 AUTHORITY RELATIVE TO THIS AGREEMENT. Hain has full corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the Merger and other transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the Merger and other transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by the Board of Directors of Hain and no other corporate proceedings on the part of Hain are necessary to authorize this Agreement or to consummate the Merger or other transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Hain and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by the Company, constitutes a valid and binding agreement of Hain, enforceable against Hain in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that its enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally or by general equitable or fiduciary principles. 6.5 NO VIOLATIONS, ETC. (a) Assuming that all filings, permits, authorizations, consents and approvals or waivers thereof have been duly made or obtained as contemplated by Section 6.5(b) hereof, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Hain nor the consummation of the Merger or other transactions contemplated hereby nor compliance by Hain with any of the provisions hereof will (i) violate, conflict with, or result in a breach of any provision of, or constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under, or result in the termination or suspension of, or accelerate the performance required by, or result in a right of termination or acceleration under, or result in the creation of any lien, security interest, charge or encumbrance upon any of the properties or assets of Hain or any of Hain's subsidiaries under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of (x) their respective charters or by-laws, (y) except as set forth in Section 6.5 of the Disclosure Schedule, any note, bond, mortgage, indenture or deed of trust, or (z) any license, lease, agreement or other instrument or obligation, to which Hain or any such subsidiary is a party or to which they or any of their respective properties or assets may be subject, or (ii) subject to compliance with the statutes and regulations referred to in the next paragraph, violate any judgment, ruling, order, writ, injunction, decree, statute, rule or regulation applicable to Hain or any of Hain's subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets, except, in the case of clauses (i)(y), (i)(z) and (ii) above, for such violations, conflicts, breaches, defaults, terminations, suspensions, accelerations, rights of termination or acceleration or creations of liens, security interests, charges or encumbrances which would not, individually or in the aggregate, either have an Hain Material Adverse Effect or materially impair the consummation of the Merger or other transactions contemplated hereby. (b) No filing or registration with, notification to and no permit, authorization, consent or approval of any governmental entity is required by Hain, Hain Subsidiary or any of Hain's subsidiaries in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation by Hain of the Merger or other transactions contemplated hereby, except (i) in connection with the applicable requirements of the HSR Act, (ii) the filing of the Delaware Certificate of Merger and the California Certificate of Merger, (iii) filings with The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., (iv) filings with the SEC and state securities administrators, and (v) such other filings, registrations, notifications, permits, authorizations, consents or approvals the failure of which to be obtained, made or given would not, individually or in the aggregate, either have an Hain Material Adverse Effect or materially impair the consummation of the Merger or other transactions contemplated hereby. (c) As of the date hereof, Hain and Hain's subsidiaries are not in violation of or default under (x) their respective certificates or articles of incorporation or organization or by-laws, (y) except as set forth in Section 6.5 of the Disclosure Schedule, any note, bond, mortgage, indenture or deed of trust, or (z) any license, lease, agreement or other instrument or obligation to which Hain or any such subsidiary is a party or to which they or any of their respective properties or assets may be subject, except, in the case of clauses (y) and (z) above, for such violations or defaults which would not, individually or in the aggregate, either have an Hain Material Adverse Effect or materially impair the consummation of the Merger or other transactions contemplated hereby. B-20 <PAGE> 6.6 COMMISSION FILINGS; FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Except as set forth in Section 6.6 of the Disclosure Schedule, Hain has filed all required forms, reports and documents during the past three years (collectively, the "HAIN SEC REPORTS") with the SEC, all of which complied when filed in all material respects with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act. The audited consolidated financial statements and unaudited consolidated interim financial statements of Hain and its subsidiaries included or incorporated by reference in such Hain SEC Reports were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto) and present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations and cash flows of Hain and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis at the respective dates and for the respective periods indicated (and in the case of all such financial statements that are interim financial statements, contain all adjustments so to present fairly). Except to the extent that information contained in any Hain SEC Report was revised or superseded by a later filed Hain SEC Report, none of the Hain SEC Reports contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. 6.7 ABSENCE OF CHANGES OR EVENTS. Except as set forth in Hain's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1997 and Hain's Form 10-Q for each of the three month periods ended September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1997, as filed with the SEC, since December 31, 1997: (a) there has been no material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change, in the business, operations or financial condition of Hain and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; (b) there has not been any direct or indirect redemption, purchase or other acquisition of any shares of capital stock of Hain or any of its subsidiaries, or any declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or other distribution by Hain or any of its subsidiaries in respect of their capital stock; (c) except in the ordinary course of its business and consistent with past practice neither Hain nor any of its subsidiaries has incurred any indebtedness for borrowed money, or assumed, guaranteed, endorsed or otherwise as an accommodation become responsible for the obligations of any other individual, firm or corporation, or made any loans or advances to any other individual, firm or corporation; (d) there has not been any change in accounting methods, principles or practices of Hain or its subsidiaries; (e) except in the ordinary course of business and for amounts which are not material, there has not been any revaluation by Hain or any of its subsidiaries of any of their respective assets, including, without limitation, writing down the value of inventory or writing off notes or accounts receivables; (f) there has not been any agreement by Hain or any of its subsidiaries to (i) do any of the things described in the preceding clauses (a) through (f) other than as expressly contemplated or provided for in this Agreement or (ii) take, whether in writing or otherwise, any action which, if taken prior to the date of this Agreement, would have made any representation or warranty in this Article VI untrue or incorrect. 6.8 FORM S-4; PROSPECTUS/INFORMATION STATEMENT. None of the information supplied or to be supplied by or on behalf of Hain and Hain Subsidiary for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Form S-4 will, at the time the Form S-4 becomes effective under the Securities Act, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. None of the information supplied or to be supplied by or on behalf of Hain and Hain Subsidiary for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Prospectus/Information Statement will, at the dates mailed to Company shareholders pursuant to Section 8.1(b), contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state B-21 <PAGE> any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. Hain will promptly inform the Company of the happening of any event prior to the Effective Time which would render such information regarding Hain incorrect in any material respect or require the amendment of the Prospectus/Information Statement. 6.9 BOARD RECOMMENDATION. The Board of Directors of Hain has, by a majority vote at a meeting of such Board duly held on, or by written consent of such Board dated April 8, 1998, approved and adopted this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby (including, without limitation, the issuance of Hain Common Stock as a result of the Merger), determined that the Merger is fair to the holders of shares of Hain Common Stock. Hain does not require stockholder approval of this Agreement, the Merger, the issuance of shares of Hain Common Stock in connection therewith, and the related transactions. 6.10 DISCLOSURE. All of the facts and circumstances not required to be disclosed as exceptions under or to any of the foregoing representations and warranties made by Hain by reason of any minimum disclosure requirement in any such representation and warranty would not, in the aggregate, have an Hain Material Adverse Effect. 6.11 ABSENCE OF UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES. Neither Hain nor any of its subsidiaries has any liabilities or obligations of any nature, whether absolute, accrued, unmatured, contingent or otherwise, or any unsatisfied judgments or any leases of personalty or realty or unusual or extraordinary commitments, except the liabilities recorded on the Balance Sheet and the notes thereto, and except for liabilities or obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice since December 31, 1997 that would not individually or in the aggregate have an Hain Material Adverse Effect. 6.12 FINDERS OR BROKERS. Except as set forth in Section 6.12 of the Disclosure Schedule, none of Hain, the subsidiaries of Hain, the Board of Directors of Hain or any member of the Board of Directors of Hain has employed any investment banker, broker, finder or intermediary in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby who might be entitled to a fee or any commission in connection with the Merger. 6.13 OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR. On or prior to the Closing Date, Hain will receive the opinion (the "FAIRNESS OPINION") of Bear Stearns & Co. Inc., to the effect that the Merger Consideration is fair from a financial point of view to the stockholders of Hain. 6.14 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS; ERISA. Neither Hain nor any subsidiary of Hain nor any Hain ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or is reasonably likely to incur any material liability under Title IV of ERISA. Neither Hain nor any subsidiary of Hain nor any Hain ERISA Affiliate has incurred any material accumulated funding deficiency, whether or not waived, within the meaning of Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code. For purposes of this Agreement, "HAIN ERISA AFFILIATE" shall mean any person (as defined in Section 3(9) of ERISA) that is or has been a member of any group of persons described in Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code including Hain or any of its subsidiaries. 6.15 QUALIFICATION OF MERGER AS A TAX FREE REORGANIZATION. (a) Hain has no plan or intention to reacquire or cause or permit any person related (as defined in Treas. Reg. Section 1.368-1(e)(3)) to Hain to acquire any of the Hain Common Stock issued to the holders of Company Common Stock pursuant to the Merger. (b) Prior to the transaction, Hain will be in control of Hain Subsidiary within the meaning of section 368(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "CODE"). B-22 <PAGE> (c) Following the Merger, Hain has no plan or intention to cause or permit Hain Subsidiary to issue additional shares of its stock that would result in Hain's losing control of Hain Subsidiary within the meaning of Section 368(c) of the Code. (d) There is no indebtedness between the Company and Hain. (e) None of the Merger Consideration paid in the Merger by Hain will be separate consideration for, or allocable to, past or future services or any employment agreement. (f) Neither Hain nor Hain Subsidiary is an investment company, as defined in Sections 368(a)(2)(F)(iii) and (iv) of the Code. (g) Hain has no plan or intention to liquidate Hain Subsidiary, to merge Hain Subsidiary with or into another corporation, to sell or otherwise dispose of the stock of Hain Subsidiary, or to cause Hain Subsidiary to sell or otherwise dispose of any of the assets of the Company acquired in the Merger, except for dispositions made in the ordinary course of business or transfers to a corporation controlled (within the meaning of Section 368(c) of the Code) by Hain Subsidiary or, in the case of a successive transfer, the transferor corporation. (h) None of Hain, Hain Subsidiary or any affiliate of Hain has taken, agreed to take, or will take any action that would prevent the Merger from constituting a transaction qualifying under Section 368(a) of the Code or that would prevent an exchange of Company Common Stock for Hain Common Stock pursuant to the Merger from qualifying as an exchange described in Section 354 of the Code (except with respect to any cash received in lieu of a fractional share). None of Hain, Hain Subsidiary or any affiliate of Hain is aware of any agreement, plan or other circumstance that would prevent the Merger from qualifying under Section 368(a) of the Code or that would prevent an exchange of Company Common Stock for Hain Common Stock pursuant to the Merger from qualifying as an exchange described in Section 354 of the Code (except with respect to any cash received in lieu of a fractional share) and to the knowledge of Hain, the Merger and each such exchange will so qualify. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if none of the Merger Consideration consists of Stock Merger Consideration, then the representation set forth in this Section 6.15 shall not be deemed to be included in this Agreement, and shall be in any event be deemed to true and correct in all repects. ARTICLE VII CONDUCT OF BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY AND HAIN PENDING THE MERGER 7.1 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY PENDING THE MERGER. Except as contemplated by this Agreement or as expressly agreed to in writing by Hain, during the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, each of the Company and its subsidiaries will conduct their respective operations according to its ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, and will use all commercially reasonable efforts to maintain satisfactory relationships with suppliers, distributors and customers having business relationships with it and will take no action which would materially adversely affect the ability of the parties to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, prior to the Effective Time, the Company will not nor will it permit any of its subsidiaries to, without the prior written consent of Hain, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld: (a) amend its certificate or articles of incorporation or organization or by-laws; (b) except as set forth in Section 7.1 of the Disclosure Schedule, authorize for issuance, issue, sell, deliver, grant any options for, or otherwise agree or commit to issue, sell or deliver any shares of any class of its capital stock or any securities convertible into shares of any class of its capital stock, B-23 <PAGE> including the filing or processing of a registration statement under the Securities Act in connection with an initial public offering; (c) split, combine or reclassify any shares of its capital stock, declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, stock or property or any combination thereof) in respect of its capital stock or purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of its own capital stock or of any of its subsidiaries, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement; (d) (i) create, incur, assume, maintain or permit to exist any debt for borrowed money other than under existing lines of credit in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice in an amount not to exceed $50,000 in the aggregate; (ii) assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise become liable or responsible (whether directly, contingently or otherwise) for the obligations of any other person except for its wholly owned subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices and subclause (i) above; or (iii) make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other person; (e) except as set forth in Section 7.1 of the Disclosure Schedule, (i) increase in any manner the compensation of (x) any employee except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or (y) any of its directors or officers; (ii) pay or agree to pay any pension, retirement allowance or other employee benefit not required, or enter into or agree to enter into any agreement or arrangement with such director or officer or employee, whether past or present, relating to any such pension, retirement allowance or other employee benefit, except as required under currently existing agreements, plans or arrangements; (iii) except in accordance with Section 3.1(b) hereof, grant any severance or termination pay to, or enter into any employment or severance agreement with, (x) any employee except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or (y) any of its directors or officers; or (iv) except as may be required to comply with applicable law, become obligated (other than pursuant to any new or renewed collective bargaining agreement) under any new pension plan, welfare plan, multiemployer plan, employee benefit plan, benefit arrangement, or similar plan or arrangement, which was not in existence on the date hereof, including any bonus, incentive, deferred compensation, stock purchase, stock option, stock appreciation right, group insurance, severance pay, retirement or other benefit plan, agreement or arrangement, or employment or consulting agreement with or for the benefit of any person, or amend any of such plans or any of such agreements in existence on the date hereof; (f) except as otherwise expressly contemplated by this Agreement, enter into any other material agreements, commitments or contracts, except agreements, commitments or contracts for the purchase, sale or lease of goods or services in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; (g) authorize, recommend, propose or announce an intention to authorize, recommend or propose, or enter into any agreement in principle or an agreement with respect to, any plan of liquidation or dissolution, any acquisition of a material amount of assets or securities, any sale, transfer, lease, license, pledge, mortgage, or other disposition or encumbrance of a material amount of assets or securities or any material change in its capitalization; (h) make any change in the accounting methods or accounting practices followed by the Company; (i) settle or compromise any material federal, state, local or foreign Tax liability, make any new material Tax election, revoke or modify any existing Tax election, or request or consent to a change in any method of Tax accounting; (j) unless the Merger Consideration consists solely of Cash Merger Consideration, take, cause or permit to be taken any action, whether before or after the Effective Date, that could reasonably be B-24 <PAGE> expected to prevent the Merger from constituting a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code; or (k) agree to do any of the foregoing. 7.2 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS OF HAIN PENDING THE MERGER. Except as contemplated by this Agreement or as expressly agreed to in writing by the Company, during the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, each of Hain and its subsidiaries will use all commercially reasonable efforts to keep substantially intact its business, properties and business relationships and will take no action which would materially adversely affect the ability of the parties to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, prior to the Effective Time, Hain will not nor will it permit any of its subsidiaries to, without the prior written consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld: (a) amend its certificate of incorporation or by-laws except as set forth in this Agreement; (b) split, combine or reclassify any shares of its capital stock, declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, stock or property or any combination thereof) in respect of its capital stock or purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of its own capital stock or of any of its subsidiaries, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement; (c) authorize, recommend, propose or announce an intention to authorize, recommend or propose, or enter into any agreement in principle or an agreement with respect to, any plan of liquidation or dissolution, any acquisition of an amount of assets or securities which would satisfy one or more of the requirements of "significant subsidiary" for Hain, within the meaning of Regulation S-X, on a pro forma basis before giving effect to the Merger and the transactions contemplated thereby, any sale, transfer, lease, license, pledge or mortgage or other disposition or encumbrance of a material amount of assets or securities or any material change in its capitalization; or (d) agree to do any of the foregoing. ARTICLE VIII COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS 8.1 PREPARATION OF THE FORM S-4. (a) As soon as practicable following the date of this Agreement, Hain shall prepare and file with the SEC the Form S-4, in which the Prospectus/Information Statement shall be included as a prospectus. Hain shall use commercially reasonable efforts to have the Form S-4 declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after such filing. Hain shall also take any action required to be taken under any applicable state securities laws in connection with the issuance of Hain Common Stock in the Merger. No filing of, or amendment or supplement to, the Form S-4 will be made by Hain without the consent of the Company, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. Hain shall provide the Company and its counsel reasonable opportunity to review and comment thereon. Hain will advise the Company, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the time when the Form S-4 has become effective or any supplement or amendment has been filed, the issuance of any stop order, the suspension of the qualification of the Hain Common Stock issuable in connection with the Merger for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or any request by the SEC for amendment of the Form S-4 or comments thereon and responses thereto or requests by the SEC for additional information. If at any time prior to the Effective Time any information relating to the Company or Hain, or any of their respective affiliates, officers or directors, should be discovered by the Company or Hain which should be set forth in an amendment or supplement to any of the Form S-4, so that any of such documents would not include any misstatement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, the party which discovers such information shall promptly notify B-25 <PAGE> the other parties hereto and an appropriate amendment or supplement describing such information shall be promptly filed with the SEC and, to the extent required by law, disseminated to the shareholders of the Company. It is acknowledged that the shares of Hain Common Stock, if any, to be issued in the Merger shall not be subject to any restrictions on resale under the federal or state securities laws; provided, in the case of shareholders who are parties to the Voting Agreement, shares of Hain Common Stock received by such shareholders as Stock Merger Consideration shall be initially deposited in trading accounts maintained by Bear Stearns & Co. Inc.; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to require that any shares of Hain Common Stock remain so deposited for any period of time. Accordingly, at the election of Hain and its counsel, after consultation with the Company and its counsel, Hain will either (i) include in the S-4 a plan of distribution that permits the recipients of Hain Common Stock to sell any or all of their shares of Hain Common Stock without any restrictions or (ii) file and have declared effective a registration statement that permits the resale of such shares of Hain Common Stock without any restrictions. (b) The Company shall, through its Board of Directors, recommend that its shareholders consent to this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby. Upon receipt from Hain of a definitive copy of the Prospectus/Information Statement in the form declared effective by the SEC, the Company shall immediately cause a copy of the Prospectus/Information Statement to be distributed to each of its shareholders, together with such other information as may be required under the CGCL. 8.2 LETTERS AND CONSENTS OF THE COMPANY'S ACCOUNTANTS. The Company shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be delivered to Hain all consents required from its independent accountants necessary to effect the registration of the Hain Common Stock and make any required filing with the SEC in connection with the Merger and the transactions contemplated thereby, in each case to the extent related to the financial statements listed on Schedule 8.2 of the Disclosure Schedule. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, the only financial information that the Company shall be required to furnish to Hain in connection with the preparation of the S-4 or any other securities law filing is the financial statements listed on Schedule 8.2. 8.3 LETTERS AND CONSENTS OF HAIN'S ACCOUNTANTS. Hain shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be delivered to the Company all consents required from its independent accountants necessary to effect the registration of the Hain Common Stock and make any required filing with the SEC in connection with the Merger and the transactions contemplated thereby. 8.4 ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS; COOPERATION. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions herein provided, each of the parties hereto agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all action and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective as promptly as practicable the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and to cooperate with each other in connection with the foregoing, including using commercially reasonable efforts (i) to obtain all necessary waivers, consents and approvals from other parties to loan agreements, material leases and other material contracts that are specified in Section 8.4 to the Disclosure Schedule Statement, (ii) to obtain all necessary consents, approvals and authorizations as are required to be obtained under any federal, state or foreign law or regulations, (iii) to defend all lawsuits or other legal proceedings challenging this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, (iv) to lift or rescind any injunction or restraining order or other order adversely affecting the ability of the parties to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, (v) to effect all necessary registrations and filings, including, but not limited to, filings under the HSR Act and submissions of information requested by governmental authorities, (vi) provide all necessary information for the Form S-4 and (vii) to fulfill all conditions to this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing provisions, the parties acknowledge that the consent of the lenders under the existing credit facility of the Company (the "CREDIT AGREEMENT") with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is required pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement. B-26 <PAGE> The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain such consents on or prior to the Closing; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if such lenders are unwilling to give such consents, then, on or prior to the Closing Date, Hain will refinance all amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement. (b) The Company will supply Hain with copies of all correspondence, filings or communications (or memoranda setting forth the substance thereof) between the Company or its representatives, on the one hand, and the Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice, on the other hand, with respect to this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby. Each of the parties hereto agrees to furnish to the other party hereto such necessary information and reasonable assistance as such other party may request in connection with its preparation of necessary filings or submissions to any regulatory or governmental agency or authority, including, without limitation, any filing necessary under the provisions of the HSR Act or any other applicable Federal or state statute. (c) Hain and Hain Subsidiary will supply the Company with copies of all correspondence, filings or communications (or memoranda setting forth the substance thereof) between Hain, Hain Subsidiary or their representatives, on the one hand, and the Federal Trade Commission, the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice and the SEC, on the other hand, with respect to this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby. 8.5 PUBLICITY. The Company and Hain agree to consult with each other in issuing any press release and with respect to the general content of other public statements with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, and shall not issue any such press release prior to such consultation; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that nothing herein will prohibit any party from issuing or causing publication of any such press release or public announcement to the extent that such party determines such action to be required by law or the rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., in which event the party making such determination will, if practicable in the circumstances, use all commercially reasonable efforts to allow the other party reasonable time to comment on such release or announcement in advance of its issuance. 8.6 NO SOLICITATION. The Company agrees that, it shall not, and shall not authorize or permit any of its subsidiaries or any of its or its subsidiaries' directors, officers, employees, agents or representatives to, directly or indirectly, solicit, initiate, facilitate or encourage (including by way of furnishing or disclosing non-public information) any inquiries or the making of any proposal with respect to any merger, consolidation or other business combination involving the Company or its subsidiaries or acquisition of any kind of all or substantially all of the assets or capital stock of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole (an "ACQUISITION TRANSACTION") or negotiate, explore or otherwise communicate in any way with any third party (other than Hain) with respect to any Acquisition Transaction or enter into any agreement, arrangement or understanding requiring it to abandon, terminate or fail to consummate the Merger or any other transactions contemplated by this Agreement; PROVIDED that the Company may furnish information to, and negotiate or otherwise engage in discussions with, any party who delivers a written proposal for an Acquisition Transaction if and so long as the Board of Directors of the Company determines in good faith by a majority vote, based upon the advice of its outside legal counsel, that failing to take such action would constitute a breach of the fiduciary duties of the Board, and in such case the Board of Directors of the Company may withdraw its recommendation of this Agreement or the Merger (provided that the foregoing shall in no way limit or otherwise affect Hain's right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 10.1). The Company will immediately cease all existing activities, discussions and negotiations with any parties conducted heretofore with respect to any of the foregoing. To the extent such disclosure is not a breach of the fiduciary duties of the Board of Directors as advised by outside legal counsel from and after the execution of this Agreement, the Company shall promptly advise Hain in writing of the receipt, directly or indirectly, of any inquiries, discussions, negotiations, or proposals relating to an Acquisition Transaction (including the material terms thereof). B-27 <PAGE> 8.7 ACCESS TO INFORMATION. (a) From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, each of the Company and Hain will, after reasonable notice, give the other party and its authorized representatives (including counsel, environmental and other consultants, accountants and auditors) reasonable access during normal business hours to all facilities, personnel and operations and to all books and records of it and its subsidiaries, will, after reasonable notice, permit the other party to make such inspections as it may reasonably require and will cause its officers and those of its subsidiaries to furnish the other party with such financial and operating data and other information with respect to its business and properties as such party may from time to time reasonably request. (b) All documents and information furnished pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the amendment dated May 2, 1998 to the Confidentiality Agreements dated May 14, 1997 and May 21, 1997 between Hain and Arrowhead Mills, Inc. or a subsidiary thereof (collectively, the "CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT"). This provision shall survive any termination of this Agreement. 8.8 NOTIFICATION OF CERTAIN MATTERS. Prior to the Effective Time, the Company or Hain, as the case may be, shall promptly notify the other of (i) its obtaining of actual knowledge as to the matters set forth in clauses (x) and (y) below, or (ii) the occurrence, or failure to occur, of any event, which occurrence or failure to occur would be likely to cause (x) any representation or warranty contained in this Agreement to be untrue or inaccurate in any material respect at any time from the date hereof to the Effective Time, or (y) any material failure of the Company or Hain, as the case may be, or of any officer, director, employee or agent thereof, to comply with or satisfy any covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it under this Agreement; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such notification shall affect the representations or warranties of the parties or the conditions to the obligations of the parties hereunder. 8.9 RESIGNATION OF DIRECTORS. At or prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall deliver to Hain the resignations of such directors of the Company and its subsidiaries as Hain shall specify, effective at the Effective Time. 8.10 INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE. (a) Hain and the Surviving Corporation agree that, except as may be limited by applicable Laws, for seven (7) years from and after the Effective Time, the indemnification obligations set forth in the Company's Articles of Incorporation and the Company's By-Laws, or in any indemnification agreement to which the Company is a party as of March 31, 1998, in each case as of the date of this Agreement, shall survive the Merger and shall not be amended, repealed or otherwise modified after the Effective Time in any manner that would adversely affect the rights thereunder of the individuals who on or at any time prior to the Effective Time were entitled to indemnification thereunder with respect to matters occurring at or prior to the Effective Time. (b) To the extent, if any, not provided by an existing right of indemnification or other agreement or policy, from and after the Effective Time, Hain shall, to the fullest extent such person could have been indemnified under the DGCL or under the Certificate of Incorporation or the By-laws of Hain in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, indemnify, defend and hold harmless the present and former directors, officers and management employees of the parties hereto and their respective subsidiaries (each an "INDEMNIFIED PARTY" and, collectively, the "INDEMNIFIED PARTIES") against (i) all losses, expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses), claims, damages, costs, liabilities, judgments or (subject to the proviso of the next succeeding sentence) amounts that are paid in settlement of or in connection with any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation based in whole or in part on or arising in whole or in part out of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer or management employee of such party or any subsidiary thereof, whether pertaining to any matter existing or occurring at or prior to or after the Effective Time and whether asserted or claimed prior to, at or after the Effective Time and (ii) all B-28 <PAGE> liabilities based in whole or in part on, or arising in whole or in part out of, or pertaining to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby; PROVIDED, the indemnification contemplated in this subclause (ii) shall not apply to any claim based on fraudulent misrepresentation or willful breach. In the event of any such loss, expense, claim, damage, cost, liability, judgment or settlement (whether or not arising before the Effective Time), (x) Hain shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel selected by the Indemnified Parties, which counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to Hain, promptly after statements therefor are received, and otherwise advance to the Indemnified Parties upon requested reimbursement of documented expenses reasonably incurred, in either case to the extent not prohibited by the laws of the State of Delaware, (y) Hain shall cooperate in the defense of any such matter and (z) any determination required to be made with respect to whether an Indemnified Party's conduct complies with the standards under applicable law or as set forth in Hain's articles of incorporation or bylaws shall be made by independent counsel mutually acceptable to Hain and the Indemnified Party; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Hain shall not be liable for any settlement effected without its written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). The Indemnified Parties as a group may retain only one law firm (other than local counsel) with respect to each related matter except to the extent there could reasonably be expected to be, in the sole opinion of counsel to an Indemnified Party, under applicable standards of professional conduct, a conflict on any significant issue between positions of any two or more Indemnified Parties, in which case each Indemnified Party with a conflicting position on a significant issue shall be entitled to separate counsel. In the event any Indemnified Party is required to bring any action to enforce rights or to collect moneys due under this Agreement is successful in such action, Hain shall reimburse such Indemnified Party for all of its expenses in bringing and pursuing such action. Each Indemnified Party shall be entitled to the advancement of expenses to the full extent contemplated in this Section 8.10(b) in connection with any such action. 8.11 FEES AND EXPENSES. Whether or not the Merger is consummated, the Company and Hain shall bear their respective expenses incurred in connection with the Merger, including, without limitation, the preparation, execution and performance of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, and all fees and expenses of investment bankers, finders, brokers, agents, representatives, counsel and accountants, except that (a) Hain shall bear and pay the costs and expenses incurred in connection with the filing, printing and mailing of the Form S-4 (including SEC and state filing fees, all accounting expenses incurred directly in connection therewith, and including the fees and expenses of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. incurred in connection therewith in an amount, aggregated together with the amount provided therefor under Section 8.11 of the AMI Merger Agreement, not to exceed $50,000), (b) the Company or its shareholders existing prior to the Effective Time shall bear and pay the fees, costs and expenses, incurred in connection with the services of any finder or broker set forth under Section 5.21 hereof and (c) Hain shall bear and pay the costs and expenses incurred in connection with the filings of the premerger notification and report forms under the HSR Act (including filing fees). If the Merger is consummated, then for purposes of this Agreement, references to the Company or its shareholders "bearing" fees, costs or expenses shall mean that, to the extent that such expenses have been incurred by the Company prior to the Effective Time, or incurred but not paid by any shareholder of the Company prior to the Effective Time, the amount thereof (or a reasonable estimate thereof mutually agreed to by the parties hereto in good faith) shall constitute a deduction to the Cash Merger Consideration in accordance with Section 3.1(b) hereof, and the shareholders shall have no further obligation to pay any such fees, costs or expenses after the Effective Time. 8.12 NASDAQ LISTING. Hain shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Hain Common Stock to be issued in connection with the Merger to be approved for listing on the National Market System of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., subject to official notice of issuance, as promptly as practicable after the date hereof, and in any event prior to the Closing Date. 8.13 SHAREHOLDER LITIGATION. Each of the Company and Hain shall give the other the reasonable opportunity to participate in the defense of any shareholder litigation against or in the name of the Company or Hain, as applicable, and/or their respective directors relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. B-29 <PAGE> 8.14 TAX TREATMENT. Unless the Merger Consideration consists solely of Cash Merger Consideration, each of Hain and the Company shall treat the Merger as a tax free reorganization under the provisions of Section 368 of the Code on its Tax Returns. ARTICLE IX CONDITIONS TO CLOSING 9.1 CONDITIONS TO EACH PARTY'S OBLIGATION TO EFFECT THE MERGER. The respective obligation of each party to effect the Merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver on or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions: (a) SHAREHOLDER APPROVALS. Approval of the Merger and the transactions contemplated thereby shall have been obtained by the requisite approval of the Company's shareholders. (b) HSR ACT. The waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable to the Merger under the HSR Act shall have been terminated or shall have expired. (c) NO INJUNCTIONS OR RESTRAINTS. No material judgment, order, decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation entered, enacted, promulgated, enforced or issued by any court or other governmental entity of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition (collectively, "RESTRAINTS") shall be in effect preventing the consummation of the Merger. (d) FORM S-4. The Form S-4 shall have become effective under the Securities Act and shall not be the subject of any stop order or proceedings seeking a stop order and no stop order or similar restraining order shall be threatened or entered by the SEC or any state securities administration preventing the Merger. (e) NASDAQ LISTING. The shares of Hain Common Stock issuable to the Company's shareholders as contemplated by this Agreement shall have been approved for listing on National Market System of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., subject to official notice of issuance. (f) CONSENTS AND APPROVALS. All necessary consents and approvals of any United States or any other governmental authority or any other third party required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been obtained; except for such consents and approvals the failure to obtain which individually or in the aggregate would not have a material adverse effect on the Surviving Corporation. (g) ARROWHEAD MILLS TRANSACTION. All of the conditions precedent to the obligations of the parties pursuant to the AMI Merger Agreement shall have been satisfied or waived by the parties thereto, and Hain shall have delivered to the Company a certificate of an executive officer thereof that the parties are prepared to, and intend to, consummate the transactions contemplated thereby simultaneously with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby at the Effective Time. 9.2 CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF HAIN. The obligation of Hain to effect the Merger is further subject to satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions: (a) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The representations, warranties and covenants of the Company set forth herein, to the extent qualified with respect to materiality, shall be true and correct in all respects, and to the extent not so qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects, in each case as of the date of this Agreement and at and as of the Effective Time as if made at and as of such time (except to the extent expressly made as of earlier date, in which case as of such date). The Company shall have delivered to Hain an officer's certificate, in form and substance satisfactory to Hain and its counsel, to the effect of the matters stated in this Section 9.2(a) and Section 9.2(b). B-30 <PAGE> (b) PERFORMANCE OF OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY. The Company shall have performed in all material respects all obligations required to be performed by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing Date. (c) CONSENT OF ACCOUNTANTS. Hain shall have received all consents required from the independent accountants in connection with the filing of the Form S-4 of the Company necessary to effect the registration of the Hain Common Stock. (d) REAL ESTATE HOLDING CORPORATION. The Company shall have (i) delivered an affidavit stating, under penalty of perjury, that (A) the Company is not and has not been at any time during the five-year period prior to the Effective Time a "United States real property holding corporation," as defined for purposes of section 897(c)(2) of the Code and (B) as of the Effective Time, interests in the Company are not United States real property holding company interests by reasons of Section 897(c)(1)(B) of the Code and (ii) complied with the requirements of Treas. Reg. Section1.897-2(h) and provided evidence (reasonably satisfactory to Hain) of such compliance. (e) TAX OPINION. Hain shall have received an opinion of Cahill Gordon & Reindel, counsel to Hain, dated on or about the Closing Date, based upon such representations and assumptions as counsel may reasonably deem relevant, to the effect that the Merger will be treated for federal income tax purposes as a reorganization qualifying under the provisions of Sections 368(a)(1)(a) and 368(a)(2)(D) of the Code; that each of Hain, Hain Subsidiary and the Company will be a party to the reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code; that gain, if any, realized by a shareholder of the Company on the exchange on Company Common Stock for the Merger Consideration will be recognized only to the extent of the Cash Merger Consideration received by such shareholder; that no loss will be recognized by a shareholder of the Company on the exchange of Company Common Stock for the Merger Consideration pursuant to the Merger (except with respect to any cash received in lieu of a fractional share). If the Merger Consideration consists solely of Cash Merger Consideration, then the condition set forth in this Section 9.2(e) shall be deemed to be fully satisfied for all purposes of this Agreement. (f) OPINION OF COMPANY COUNSEL. Hain shall have received an opinion from Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., counsel to the Company, substantially to the effect set forth in EXHIBIT A hereto. (g) VOTING AGREEMENT. The voting agreement and irrevocable proxy dated the date hereof (the "VOTING AGREEMENT") pursuant to which all of the shareholders of the outstanding Company Common Stock have agreed to vote in favor of the Merger and the transactions related thereto shall be in full force and effect as of the Closing Date. (h) POST-MERGER OWNERSHIP. Immediately prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall provide evidence reasonably satisfactory to Hain that, upon consummation of the Merger and the issuance of the Stock Merger Consideration, no shareholder of Company Common Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time shall hold, when aggregated with shares of Hain Common Stock received by such shareholder under the AMI Merger Agreement, or have the right to vote immediately after the issuance of the Stock Merger Consideration greater than 4% (four percent) of the Hain Common Stock then outstanding (assuming a Closing Date Market Price of $20.00 per share and that 50% of the Merger Consideration is paid in Stock Merger Consideration). 9.3 CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY. The obligation of the Company to effect the Merger is further subject to satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions: (a) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The representations and warranties of Hain set forth herein, to the extent qualified with respect to materiality, shall be true and correct in all respects, and to the extent not so qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects, in each case as B-31 <PAGE> of the date of this Agreement and at and as of the Effective Time as if made at and as of such time (except to the extent expressly made as of an earlier date, in which case as of such date). (b) PERFORMANCE OF OBLIGATIONS OF HAIN AND HAIN SUBSIDIARY. Hain and Hain Subsidiary shall have performed in all material respects all obligations required to be performed by them under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing Date. (c) TAX OPINION. The Company shall have received an opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., counsel to the Company, dated on or about the Closing Date, based upon such representations and assumptions as counsel may reasonably deem relevant, to the effect that the Merger will be treated for federal income tax purposes as a reorganization qualifying under the provisions of Sections 368(a)(1)(a) and 368(a)(2)(D) of the Code; that each of Hain, Hain Subsidiary and the Company will be a party to the reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code; that gain, if any, realized by a shareholder of the company on the exchange on Company Common Stock for the Merger Consideration will be recognized only to the extent of the Cash Merger Consideration received by such shareholder; that no loss will be recognized by a shareholder of the Company on the exchange of Company Common Stock for the Merger Consideration pursuant to the Merger (except with respect to any cash received in lieu of a fractional share). If the Merger Consideration consists solely of Cash Merger Consideration, then the condition set forth in this Section 9.3(d) shall be deemed to be fully satisfied for all purposes of this Agreement. (d) OPINION OF HAIN COUNSEL. The Company shall have received an opinion from Cahill Gordon & Reindel, counsel to Hain, substantially to the effect set forth as Exhibit B. (e) MERGER CONSIDERATION. In the event any of the Merger Consideration consists of Stock Merger Consideration, then at least 50% of the Merger Consideration shall be comprised of Stock Merger Consideration and Cash Merger Consideration, when aggregated with the cash merger consideration paid in connection with the AMI Merger Agreement, shall be greater than or equal to $20.00 million. ARTICLE X TERMINATION 10.1 TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Effective Time, whether before or after and approval of this Agreement by the Company's shareholders: (a) by mutual written consent of the Company and Hain; (b) by either the Company or Hain: (i) if the Merger shall not have been consummated by August 30, 1998; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 10.1(b)(i) shall not be available to any party whose failure to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement results in the failure of the Merger to be consummated by such time; or (ii) if any Restraint having any of the effects set forth in Section 9.1(c) shall be in effect and shall have become final and nonappealable; (c) by Hain, if the Board of Directors of the Company shall withdraw, modify or change its recommendation of this Agreement or the Merger in a manner adverse to Hain; (d) by Hain, if the Company shall have breached or failed to perform in any material respect any of its representations, warranties, covenants or other agreements contained in this Agreement (which breach is not cured within 15 business days after receipt by the Company of a written notice of such breach from Hain specifying the breach and requesting that it be cured) or if the Voting Agreement ceases to be in full force and effect; B-32 <PAGE> (e) by the Company, if Hain shall have breached or failed to perform in any material respect any of its representations, warranties, covenants or other agreements contained in this Agreement (which breach is not cured within 15 business days after receipt by the Company of a written notice of such breach from Hain specifying the breach and requesting that it be cured); (f) by the Company, if, prior to the Effective Time, the Board of Directors of the Company approves an agreement to effect an Acquisition Transaction if the Board of Directors has determined in good faith, upon advice from its outside counsel, that failure to approve such agreement and terminate this Agreement would constitute a breach of the fiduciary duties of the Company Board (and so advised Hain) and the Board of Directors reasonably believes that such Acquisition Transaction is more favorable to the Company's shareholders than the transaction contemplated by this Agreement; or (g) by the Company, if the Form S-4 is not declared effective by July 15, 1998. 10.2 EFFECT OF TERMINATION. (a) The termination of this Agreement shall become effective upon delivery to the other party of written notice thereof. In the event of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Article X, this Agreement shall become void and have no effect, with no liability on the part of any party (except as provided in paragraph (b) below) or its shareholders or stockholders or directors or officers in respect thereof except for agreements which survive the termination of this Agreement and except for liability that Hain or the Company might have arising from a breach of this Agreement. (b) In the event of a termination of this Agreement by the Company pursuant to Section 10.1(f), then the Company shall within two business days of such termination pay Hain by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account specified by Hain, (i) up to $600,000 to reimburse Hain, aggregated together with amounts provided therefor under Section 10.2(b)(i) of the AMI Merger Agreement for its documented fees and expenses (including the fees and expenses of counsel, accountants, consultants and advisors) incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and (ii) a fee of $230,000 as liquidated damages. ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS 11.1 NONSURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. (a) None of the representations and warranties in this Agreement or in any instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time. This Section 11.1 shall not limit any covenant or agreement of the parties which by its terms contemplates performance after the Effective Time. (b) Each of the parties is a sophisticated legal entity that was advised by knowledgeable counsel and, to the extent it deemed necessary, other advisors in connection with this Agreement. Accordingly, each of the parties hereby acknowledges that (i) no party has relied or will rely upon any document or written or oral information previously furnished to or discovered by it or its representatives, other than this Agreement, the AMI Merger Agreement and the Voting Agreement or in the Disclosure Schedules or any certificates delivered at the Effective Time pursuant hereto or thereto and (ii) there are no representations or warranties by or on behalf of any party hereto or any of its respective affiliates or representatives other than those expressly set forth in this Agreement, the AMI Merger Agreement and the Voting Agreement or in the Disclosure Schedules or in any certificates delivered at the Effective Time pursuant to hereto or thereto. (c) The disclosures made on any section of the Disclosure Schedule with respect to any representation or warranty shall be deemed to be made with respect to any other representation or warranty requiring the same or similar disclosure to the extent that the relevance of such disclosure to other B-33 <PAGE> representations and warranties is evident from the face of the applicable section of the Disclosure Schedule. All references in this Agreement to the "knowledge of the Company" (or any similar phrase) will be deemed to be references solely to the actual knowledge of the executive officers of the Company. The inclusion of any matter on any disclosure schedule will not be deemed an admission by any party that such listed matter is material or that such listed matter has or would have a Company Material Adverse Effect or Hain Material Adverse Effect, as the case may be. 11.2 CLOSING AND WAIVER. (a) Unless this Agreement shall have been terminated in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.1 hereof, a closing (the "CLOSING" and the date and time thereof being the "CLOSING DATE") will be held as soon as practicable after the conditions set forth in Sections 9.1, 9.2 and 9.3 shall have been satisfied or waived. The Closing will be held at the offices of Cahill Gordon & Reindel, 80 Pine Street, New York, New York or at such other places as the parties may agree. Simultaneously therewith, each of the Delaware Certificate of Merger and the California Certificate of Merger will be filed. (b) At any time prior to the Effective Date, any party hereto may (i) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of any other party hereto, (ii) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of the other party contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto, and (iii) waive compliance with any of the agreements of any other party or with any conditions to its own obligations contained herein. Any agreement on the part of a party hereto to any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing duly authorized by and signed on behalf of such party. 11.3 NOTICES. (a) Any notice or communication to any party hereto shall be duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to such other party's address. If to Hain or Hain Subsidiary: The Hain Food Group, Inc. 50 Charles Lindbergh Boulevard Uniondale, New York 11553 Facsimile No.: (516) 237-6240 Attention: President with a copy to: Cahill Gordon & Reindel 80 Pine Street New York, New York 10005 Facsimile No.: (212) 269-5420 Attention: Roger Meltzer, Esq. If to the Company: Garden of Eatin', Inc. c/o Arrowhead Mills, Inc. 110 South Lawton Hereford, Texas 79045 Facsimile No.: (806) 364-1068 Attention: Chief Operating Officer with a copy to: B-34 <PAGE> Vinson & Elkins L.L.P 2300 First City Tower 1001 Fannin Street Houston, TX 77002-6760 Facsimile No.: (713) 758-2346 Attention: J. Mark Metts, Esq. (b) All notices and communications will be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five business days after being deposited in the mail, if mailed; when sent, if sent by facsimile; and the next business day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery. 11.4 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. 11.5 INTERPRETATION. The headings of articles and sections herein are for convenience of reference, do not constitute a part of this Agreement, and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof. As used in this Agreement, "person" means any individual, corporation, limited or general partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof; "subsidiary" of any person means (i) a corporation more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by such person or by one or more other subsidiaries of such person or by such person and one or more subsidiaries thereof or (ii) any other person (other than a corporation) in which such person, or one or more other subsidiaries of such person or such person and one or more other subsidiaries thereof, directly or indirectly, have at least a majority ownership and voting power relating to the policies, management and affairs thereof; and "voting stock" of any person means capital stock of such person which ordinarily has voting power for the election of directors (or persons performing similar functions) of such person, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of securities has such voting power by reason of any contingency. 11.6 AMENDMENT. This Agreement may be amended by the parties at any time before or after any required approval of matters presented in connection with the Merger by the shareholders of the Company; provided, however, that after any such approval, there shall not be made any amendment that by law requires further approval by such shareholders without the further approval of such shareholders. This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties. 11.7 NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. Nothing in this Agreement shall confer any rights upon any person or entity which is not a party or permitted assignee of a party to this Agreement, except for rights of Indemnified Parties as set forth in Section 8.10 (Directors' and Officers' Indemnification). 11.8 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without regard to principles of conflicts of laws. 11.9 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. 11.10 NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. No director, officer or employee, as such, of Hain, Hain Subsidiary or the Company or any of their respective subsidiaries shall have any liability for any obligations of Hain, Hain Subsidiary or the Company, respectively, under this Agreement for any claim based on, in respect of or by reasons of such obligations or their creation. 11.11 VALIDITY. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provisions of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect. B-35 <PAGE> IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Merger Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized officers all as of the day and year first above written. THE HAIN FOOD GROUP, INC. By: /s/ IRWIN D. SIMON ----------------------------------------- Irwin D. Simon PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GARDEN OF EATIN', INC. By: /s/ CHARLES ESSERMAN ----------------------------------------- Charles Esserman TITLE: B-36