Bain Capital to buy into China tea maker -sources

HONG KONG, July 15 (Reuters) - Bain Capital is in exclusive talks to buy a minority stake in a Chinese tea producer for up to $50 million as the U.S. private equity firm is keen to invest in consumer-driven sectors in China, sources said on Wednesday.

After several rounds of bidding, including from other funds, Bain had entered the final stage of negotiations to close the deal with Beijing Outsell Health Product Development Co Ltd, whose products include the locally well-known Benfit brand of tea, marketed as a weight-loss aid, the sources told Reuters.

The sources declined to be identified as the bidding process is confidential.

A Beijing-based executive for Outsell confirmed the company was seeking a private equity investor, but declined to comment further. Bain Capital declined to comment. (Reporting by George Chen; Editing by Chris Lewis)