Sales for the fourth quarter rose by 14.1 percent, up from $198.4m in the corresponding quarter of 2006, to $222.3m, resulting in full year sales rising 21.9 percent to reach $900.4m.

The record sales were also backed up by strong gains in net income, with fourth quarter income up 40.2 percent to reach $12.3m, whereas for the full year the figure was up by 29.4 percent to reach $47.9m.

Although the sales figures came in slightly below financial analysts' expectations, the stock market still responded well to the results, with shares rising 5 cents yesterday to close at $29.

"The fundamental of our business remain strong, as the execution of our strategy is driving the growth of our natural and organic products through a variety of distribution channels," said Irwin Simon, president and CEO.

On the personal care side Simon stressed the fact that the company's Jason and Avalon brands had done particularly well in North America.

The company bought the Avalon Organics and Alba Botanica brands in the course of the financial year, and the company said that this had done much to extend its leading position in the North American market.

Hain Celestial also markets and manufactures a number of leading natural-based processed foods, with brands such as Rice Dream, Earth's Best and Healthy Valley all making a significant impact on the results.

The company also said that it expected its personal care and food operations in the UK, together with the further consolidation of recently purchased personal care operations should help to drive future growth and increase margins.

Looking ahead to 2008, the company believes that sales will continue to grow at much the same rate as that experienced during the course of 2007, pushing the company's sales past the all-important $1bn point.

Sales guidance was given in the region of $1.025bn - $1.050bn, an increase of approximately 14 - 17 percent over the figure achieved in 2007, whilst earnings are expected to grow at between 18 - 21 percent