
                                                                    Exhibit 23.1




                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


         We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-77137) and
related Prospectus of The Hain Food Group, Inc. for the registration of 991,736
shares of its common stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our
report dated September 10, 1998, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements and schedule of The Hain Food Group, Inc. included in its Annual
Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended June 30, 1998, filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.


/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP


Melville, New York
June 2, 1999




                                     II-10


