The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. has reported that worldwide net sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014 were a record $583.8 million, an increase of 26.0% compared to net sales of $463.5 million in the prior year fourth quarter. Hain Celestial US reported record net sales of $323.0 million, a 13.2% increase. In the United Kingdom net sales were a record $200.5 million.
The Rest of World segment reported net sales of $60.4 million. The Company had strong brand contribution across various sales channels including Ella's Kitchen, Garden of Eatin, Imagine, The Greek Gods, Sensible Portions, Terra, Westbrae, Spectrum and Alba Botanica in North America and Gale's, Natumi, Frank Cooper's, SunRipe, Hartley's, Sun-Pat, Linda McCartney, and Cully & Sully internationally. The growth in net sales also resulted from sales of the Tilda and Rudi's Organic Bakery brands acquired earlier this year.
The Company earned income from continuing operations of $35.7 million compared to $25.9 million in the prior year fourth quarter and reported earnings per diluted share from continuing operations of $0.70 compared to $0.53 in the prior year fourth quarter, a 32.1% increase. Adjusted income from continuing operations was $46.0 million compared to $31.7 million, a 45.3% increase, and adjusted earnings per diluted share from continuing operations was $0.90 compared to $0.65, a 38.5% increase, from the prior year fourth quarter. Adjusted EBITDA reached a record $79.4 million during the fourth quarter. Refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures for adjustments.
Worldwide net sales for fiscal year 2014 were a record $2.154 billion, an increase of 24.2% compared to net sales of $1.735 billion in the prior year. Hain Celestial US reported record net sales of $1.282 billion, a 17.0% increase. In the United Kingdom, net sales were a record $637.5 million. The Rest of World segment net sales were a record $234.0 million. The Company had strong brand contribution across various sales channels led by Ella's Kitchen, BluePrint, Garden of Eatin', The Greek Gods, Spectrum, Bearitos, Sensible Portions, Imagine, Hain Pure Foods, Earth's Best, MaraNatha, Arrowhead Mills and Alba Botanica in North America and Frank Cooper's, Sun-Pat, Natumi, Danival, Cully & Sully, Linda McCartney and Lima internationally. The growth in net sales also resulted from sales of the Tilda and Rudi's Organic Bakery brands acquired earlier this year and the full year contribution of Ella's Kitchen, BluePrint and UK grocery brands acquired in fiscal year 2013.
The Company earned income from continuing operations of $141.5 million compared to $119.8 million in the prior year and reported earnings per diluted share from continuing operations of $2.83 compared to $2.52 in the prior year, a 12.3% increase. Adjusted income from continuing operations was $158.6 million compared to $120.2 million, a 32.0% increase, and adjusted earnings per diluted share from continuing operations was $3.17 compared to $2.53 in the prior year, a 25.3% increase. Adjusted EBITDA reached a new high of $300.0 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014. Operating free cash flow reached a record $143.2 million for the 12 months ended June 30, 2014. Refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures for adjustments.
The Company, through one of its subsidiaries, nSpired Natural Foods, Inc., initiated a voluntary recall on August 19, 2014 of certain lots of MaraNatha almond butters and peanut butters, Arrowhead Mills peanut butters and specific private label nut butters. As a result of this voluntary recall, the Company has accrued costs of $6.0 million as of June 30, 2014.
"Our business continues to benefit from strong growth trends in the organic and natural, better-for-you segment of consumer packaged goods as more consumers and retailers seek out our products. The success of our initiatives to drive profitable sales growth through distribution gains, strategic brand investments, new product innovation and accretive strategic acquisitions in complementary growth categories and geographies has positioned the Company with a solid foundation to capitalize on the tremendous opportunities in front of us. I'm also proud to once again have Hain Celestial ranked as one of FORTUNE's 100 Fastest Growing Companies, moving up to No. 61 in 2014, in recognition of the tremendous growth in the Company's revenues and earnings over the last three years," concluded Irwin Simon.
