NBTY Helping Hands Donates more than $100,000 to Super Storm Sandy Relief Efforts

RONKONKOMA, N.Y., Nov. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- NBTY Helping Hands has pledged more than $100,000 in aid to LI Cares and the NJ Food Bank to help with the Super Storm Sandy emergency humanitarian relief efforts in New York and New Jersey.  The money will be used to purchase gift cards that will be distributed through these agencies this week.

In addition, NBTY, a global nutritional supplement manufacturer and distributor is donating 135,000 bottles of vitamins, supplements and nutritional bars to help those affected by the storm. Through its online businesses, Puritan's Pride and Vitamin World.com, the Company also donated 10% of its sales through a special program and is continuing to collect donations through its Vitamin World stores.

"With so many homes, businesses and communities destroyed by the wrath of Super Storm Sandy, NBTY Helping Hands wanted to give individuals the ability to purchase what they need through these gift cards," said Jim Flaherty, Vice President NBTY Helping Hands. "Because it is a long recovery for so many, we hope that the vitamins and nutritional bars we are donating will help individuals who may not have the ability to eat a balanced meal.  The scope of the damage and restoration efforts is enormous. By working with LI Cares and the NJ Food Bank, we know that the funds will be used for those who need them most."

"We are extremely grateful for the ongoing and generous support that NBTY Helping Hands continues to provide to Long Island Cares," said Paule Pachter, Executive Director LI Cares. "Their generosity in good times is only matched by their generosity and understanding in times of crisis and with their support we are able to help many Long Islanders begin to recover from the devastating impact of Hurricane Sandy."

NBTY is also supporting its employees who incurred significant hardships during the storm.  The Company and its 3,000 New York and New Jersey employees are launching an Adopt an Associate Program. The program will match specific types of support with individuals and families most in need.  This assistance includes everything from financial support to services like clearing debris or sheltering pets until their owners are back on their feet.

NBTY is a leading global vertically integrated manufacturer, marketer and distributor of a broad line of high-quality, value-priced nutritional supplements in the United States and throughout the world. Under a number of NBTY and third party brands, the Company offers over 22,000 products, including products marketed by the Company's Nature's Bounty®, Vitamin World®, Puritan's Pride®, Holland & Barrett®, Rexall®, Sundown®, MET-Rx®, Worldwide Sport Nutrition®, American Health®, GNC (UK)®, DeTuinen®, SISU®, Solgar®, Good 'n' Natural®, Home Health™, Ester-C® and Natural Wealth brands.

CONTACT: Andrea Staub
631 200-7459
631 682-8295

SOURCE NBTY, Inc.