PITTSBURGH, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- GNC Holdings,
Inc. (NYSE: GNC), a leading global specialty retailer of health and
wellness products, issued the following statement today regarding
its agreement with the Department of Justice (DOJ) in connection
with the company's cooperation with the DOJ's investigation into
USPlabs, LLC (USP Labs).
"We are pleased to have reached an agreement with the DOJ
related to certain products manufactured by USP Labs which were
removed from GNC's shelves years ago. The DOJ and Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) concluded in the agreement that GNC
relied on the representations and written guarantees of USP Labs
that it was in full compliance with the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act
(FDCA) and applicable state laws with respect to the ingredients
contained in its products. Ultimately, the DOJ found
sufficient evidence that USP Labs provided false assurances and
information and fake documentation to third parties, including
GNC. The DOJ AND FDA also concluded that GNC was unaware of
any information that the products manufactured by USP Labs violated
the FDCA, while recognizing GNC's representation that it did not
knowingly sell products that violated the FDCA.
"Under the agreement, GNC will take a number of actions to
broaden industry-wide knowledge of prohibited ingredients and
improve compliance by vendors of third party products. These
actions are in keeping with the leadership role GNC has always
taken in setting industry quality and compliance standards.
GNC remains committed to maintaining robust compliance
policies and procedures and holding third party vendors and
suppliers accountable for those standards.
"We are pleased to have put this matter behind us and remain
committed to providing our customers with the highest quality
products available, using the purest and most effective
ingredients, to help them live healthier lives."
About GNC Holdings, Inc.
GNC Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: GNC) - Headquartered in
Pittsburgh, PA - is a leading
global specialty health, wellness and performance retailer.
The Company's foundation is built on 80 years of superior
product quality and innovation. GNC connects customers to their
best selves by offering a premium assortment of health, wellness
and performance products, including protein, performance
supplements, weight management supplements, vitamins, herbs and
greens, wellness supplements, health and beauty, food and drink and
other general merchandise. This assortment features proprietary GNC
- including Mega Men®, Ultra Mega®, Total LeanTM, Pro Performance®,
Pro Performance® AMP, Beyond Raw®, GNC Puredge®, GNC GenetixHD®,
Herbal Plus® - and nationally recognized third-party brands.
GNC's diversified, multi-channel business model generates
revenue from product sales through company-owned retail stores,
domestic and international franchise activities, third-party
contract manufacturing, e-commerce and corporate partnerships. As
of September 30, 2016, GNC had more
than 9,000 locations, of which more than 6,700 retail locations are
in the United States (including
2,347 Rite Aid franchise store-within-a-store locations) and
franchise operations in approximately 50 countries.
Contacts
Investors:
Amy
Greene, Vice President Investor & Government Relations,
(412) 288-4744
Media:
Sard Verbinnen & Co.
Bryan Locke/Bob Rendine/Ellen
Davis, 212-687-8080
blocke@sardverb.com
rrendine@sardverb.com
edavis@sardverb.com
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SOURCE GNC Holdings, Inc.