Health foods, including vitamins, are popular among many. They are used to help people stay in top shape. Health food products are generally considered specialty items and cannot be gotten from just anywhere. One name that has become linked to health food for many individuals is General Nutrition Center. This company is one source people go to for the health foods and vitamins their bodies require. Often, these products are not found in the local grocery or convenience store. General Nutrition Center claims to be the largest company of its kind in the world.
History
The company began as a small health food store in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania called Lackzoom. It was opened in 1935 by David Shakarian. A second location was opened six months later, but both stores were destroyed in a flood the following year. Both stores were re-opened and four more were added within five years to make a total of six in Pennsylvania only. The store was then expanded beyond its beginnings in Pennsylvania. This expansion also brought with it the name General Nutrition Center, which it is known by around the country today. By the beginning of the 1980s, there were more than 1,000 stores. The company now has 5,000 outlets in the United States in addition to 29 foreign markets.
Products
General Nutrition Center is the nation’s largest specialty retailer of mineral, vitamin, herbal, and sports nutrition supplements, as well as numerous other products. There are also products for weight loss or weight management. There are supplements targeted toward specific groups including women, men, teens, and younger children. The company also has supplements for vegetarians. There are things that are preventive for certain disorders as well as those that aid a person’s health once a certain disorder has already set in.
All products have a “money-back guarantee” where, if the customer is not satisfied for any reason, they can bring back the un-used portion of the product within 30 days for a refund. There is also a hotline number on the label if one has any questions.
In regards to labeling their products, the company has a truth in labeling policy in which the label states all important information to the buyer, including all ingredients and allergens in the product. Information that is on the product label includes: product name, potency, type of pill, ingredients, directions for use, warnings when appropriate, and a toll-free customer service number to answer any questions the consumer may have. There is also a best buy date on the product to make sure the contents are as fresh and potent as possible. Lastly, the product contains tamper-proof packing in which the product is sealed to make sure it was not tampered with before purchase.
The company is also committed to new scientific and research developments, and spends millions of dollars researching, developing, and marketing products. They even conduct some of their own studies. The products also undergo testing at the packing stage including seal check, count check, expiration date check, and label and bottle check, among other checks to ensure proper freshness and safety.
By Lauren Culliton