A recent controversy is stirring in Washington as questions mount about GNC, a popular health supplement retailer found on dozens of U.S. military bases.
The issue? Allegations that despite GNC’s claims, a large portion of their product ingredients actually come from China — a nation considered a key rival by many in the U.S. government.
Congressman Demands Investigation Into GNC’s Ingredient Origins
Republican Congressman Pat Harrigan from North Carolina has taken the lead, calling for a formal investigation into the supplement giant.
Harrigan insists that about nine out of every ten ingredients in GNC’s private-label products are sourced from China, directly contradicting GNC’s public statements that nearly all their products are “Made in the USA.”
This discrepancy raises concerns given GNC’s presence on military bases and the potential national security risks involved.
Federal Agencies Under Pressure to Act
Harrigan’s letter has put Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary in the spotlight, urging them to look into the allegations.
The Congressman pointed out past compliance issues, including a hefty $2.25 million fine GNC paid back in 2016 for selling supplements containing unapproved ingredients.
Now, he wants to ensure the company’s current operations are transparent and safe, especially considering their role as a major supplier to U.S. troops.
GNC Responds With Defense of Its Supply Chain
In response, GNC’s spokesperson emphasized that while raw ingredients come from around the globe, including China, the company rigorously tests and processes everything domestically before products hit the shelves.
Nick Sero, GNC’s Public Relations Director, stated that over 96 percent of their branded supplements are made in the U.S., highlighting investments of over $250 million into American manufacturing across multiple states.
He also mentioned that GNC had previously explained their global sourcing practices to Harrigan during a meeting in May.
National Security Risks and Supply Chain Concerns
Beyond the ingredient sourcing, Harrigan is also alarmed about the broader national security implications.
China’s expanding global influence, especially through seaports in Latin America and the Caribbean, raises fears about potential espionage or interference with U.S. military operations.
Notably, some shipments destined for GNC manufacturing facilities have passed through a South Carolina port used by Chinese networks, which only deepens worries.
Chinese Ownership of GNC Adds to the Suspicion
Since 2020, GNC has been wholly owned by Harbin Pharmaceutical Group, a Chinese state-owned enterprise with links to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Despite this, the company remains headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
This ownership has led to additional scrutiny, especially after Harrigan and a group of congressional colleagues urged the Justice Department to investigate whether GNC misled consumers by hiding its foreign ownership.
Third-Party Risk Analysis Flags Medium-High Threat Level
A recent report from Exiger, an independent risk assessment firm, categorized GNC’s overall risk to the U.S. as medium-high.
The analysis pointed out intelligence concerns related to the Chinese state ownership and warned about the exposure of sensitive personal data of military personnel purchasing from GNC stores on bases.
Harrigan described the situation as “a direct threat to national security,” particularly given the scale of raw products imported from China bearing U.S.-made labels.
Legislative Efforts to Protect Military Bases
In response to these concerns, Harrigan introduced the Military Installation Retail Security Act earlier this year, aiming to ban any Chinese-owned retailers from operating on U.S. military installations.
His latest letter asks the FDA and DHS to conduct criminal investigations and audits into GNC’s supply chain to verify if false or misleading information about product origins has been presented to the public.
GNC Maintains Its Commitment to Quality and U.S. Manufacturing
Despite the ongoing debate, GNC insists no branded products are manufactured in China, and the small fraction of non-U.S. products mostly come from Canada and the UK.
They stress that their parent company does not influence product content, and all supplements undergo stringent quality and safety checks to meet high standards.
Lack of Oversight on Military Base Retail Stores
Interestingly, the 85 GNC stores on U.S. military bases—including Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy exchanges—are not directly overseen by the Department of Defense, which some see as a vulnerability given the company’s foreign ownership and supply chain risks.
Supply Chain Details Highlight Chinese Shipments to South Carolina Plants
The Exiger report revealed that in 2019, GNC sold its private-label manufacturing to International Vitamin Corp. (IVC), which sources heavily from China.
Thousands of shipments from China were unloaded at the port of Charleston, South Carolina, and sent to IVC’s manufacturing plants nearby.
This network of shipments adds another layer of complexity and concern about supply chain transparency and security.