In Pennsylvania, dietary supplements retailer GNC has agreed to pay a $2.25-million Department of Justice fine after a product branded as containing only natural, plant-based ingredients included synthetic stimulants imported from China.
OxyElite Pro Advanced Formula was produced in 2013 by USP Labs and sold in GNC stores. The stimulants were allegedly obtained by USP using fake certificates and labelling. GNC admits it did not make any attempts to verify USP’s claims.
GNC avoids federal prosecution by agreeing to the fine, but in the settlement does not admit any wrongdoing. The retailer also agreed to be more stringent with its vendors. “GNC will maintain and continuously update a list of ingredients that will be prohibited from inclusion in any products that are sold by GNC,” according to the DOJ.