CHATSWORTH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 21, 2003--Natrol, Inc. (Nasdaq:NTOL), a manufacturer and marketer of branded nutritional products, announced the successful launch of Annàsa, a wholly owned subsidiary of Natrol. Annàsa will specialize in unique, one-of-a-kind wellness products that will be completely separate from Natrol products, to be sold through independent distributors.
A three-day kickoff event in Woodland Hills marked the official beginning of Annàsa, whose name itself comes from the Greek term for "breathing in new life" or "new beginnings." An initial core group of Annàsa distributors has been in place since September, ramping up for the massive product- and business-training effort required at launch.

"The cornerstone of the Annàsa product line is the Basic Four, four specific products to help combat the effects of daily toxin exposure at the cellular level while providing free-radical protection and multivitamin supplementation," said Carol Hukari, Annasa COO. "But perhaps most exciting is our `Decadent Diet' Weight Management Program. Most diets are about sacrifice and deprivation, so they set the dieter up for failure. The Decadent Diet allows you to stay on a diet without feeling deprived."

The centerpiece of this program is the Simply Decadent Chocolate Truffle Supplement, featuring a fat-burning, appetite suppressing creamy center. Early participants in pilot programs report the taste is like that of other fine, premium-quality chocolates. The program also features Simply Toned Amino Complex which, when combined with the right foods and proper exercise, can help contribute to physical toning, lean muscle development and improved sleep patterns.

"With the creation of Annàsa," said Natrol president and CEO, Elliott Balbert, "we're able to leverage our decades of experience in the development of innovative wellness products and open up new channels for distribution without impacting our current health food and mass market retailers. In addition, we're enabling people to improve not only their health, but their overall financial position by offering them an opportunity to own their own business."

This release contains, within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, forward-looking statements that are based on management's beliefs and assumptions, current expectations, estimates and projections. Many of the factors that will determine the Company's financial results are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and therefore actual results may differ materially. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Important factors and risks that may affect future results are described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.