GNC Announces Independent, Third Party Test Results Conclusively Confirming Safety, Quality, Purity and Proper Labeling in Herbal Plus® Product Line

Independent Test Results Re-Affirm That Products Contain All Herbal Extracts Listed on Labels

Products Have Now Been Tested Four Times, Yielding Same Results

PITTSBURGH--()--GNC Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:GNC), a leading global specialty retailer of health and wellness products, today announced that independent, third party testing of certain product lots in its Herbal Plus® product line has confirmed that the products are safe, pure, properly labeled and in full compliance with all regulatory requirements.

These products have now been submitted to the following four sets of rigorous tests:

  • During the production process;
  • Post - production and prior to distribution;
  • Retested in response to the New York State Attorney General’s February 2, 2015 inquiry;
  • At GNC’s own initiative, tested by an independent third-party laboratory and reviewed by an independent expert.

In all four instances, the testing showed that the GNC Herbal Plus® products meet all requirements for safety, quality, purity and proper labeling on these products. These results clearly and conclusively demonstrate that the Company’s products contain all herbal extracts listed on their respective labels and are compliant with regulations prior to distribution. The Company has shared the results of the third party tests with the Attorney General.

Michael G. Archbold, Chief Executive Officer of GNC said, “This additional round of tests leaves no doubt that our products are not only pure but are in full compliance with all regulatory requirements. When generally and widely accepted industry tests sanctioned by the global governing bodies that set standards for product purity and quality are used, GNC products are fully compliant. We share the Attorney General’s objective of ensuring that consumers can rely on companies like GNC to deliver pure, properly labeled products and, as expected, these results demonstrate that fact.”

GNC also submitted the test results to Frank S. Davis, PhD and Director of Regulatory Affairs for Regulatory Compliance Associates, to review the results. In his report, Dr. Davis concluded, “Testing of the specified lots of products by accepted and reliable methods, and with reference to limits promulgated by the USP [United States Pharmacopeia], supports that these lots are not adulterated or mislabeled, contrary to the allegations of the NY AG Letter.” Dr. Davis continued, “It is therefore scientifically sound to accept results of the manufacturer and of the independent laboratories, and conclude that the tested lots meet the requirements for safety, identity, purity, strength and composition, to demonstrate the correct content of phytochemicals, without contamination from heavy metals or pesticides.”

Mr. Archbold continued, “We continue to cooperate with the Attorney General’s office in this matter and have gone above and beyond what has been requested of us to clarify, in no uncertain terms, the quality of our products. GNC expects to make these same products available to our customers in due course.”

About GNC Holdings, Inc.

GNC Holdings, Inc., headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, is a leading global specialty retailer of health and wellness products - including vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplement products, sports nutrition products and diet products - and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "GNC."

The Company has a diversified, multi-channel business model and derives revenue from product sales through company-owned retail stores, domestic and international franchise activities, third party contract manufacturing, e-commerce and corporate partnerships. GNC's broad and deep product mix, which is focused on premium, value-added nutritional products, is sold under GNC proprietary brands, including Mega Men®, Ultra Mega®, Total Lean™, Pro Performance® AMP, Beyond Raw®, GNC Puredge™, GNC GenetixHD®, Herbal Plus® and under nationally recognized third party brands. As of September 30, 2014, GNC has more than 8,800 locations, of which more than 6,500 retail locations are in the United States (including 1,063 franchise and 2,258 Rite Aid franchise store-within-a-store locations) and franchise operations in more than 50 countries (including distribution centers where retail sales are made).

Contacts

Sard Verbinnen & Co.
Bryan Locke/Bob Rendine/Ellen Davis, 212-687-8080
blocke@sardverb.com
rrendine@sardverb.com
edavis@sardverb.com

Contacts

Sard Verbinnen & Co.
Bryan Locke/Bob Rendine/Ellen Davis, 212-687-8080
blocke@sardverb.com
rrendine@sardverb.com
edavis@sardverb.com