NORTHRIDGE, Calif., Apr 20, 2004 -- Nature's Resource(R) Echinacea has become the first branded herbal supplement to pass the rigorous process of the United States Pharmacopeia's (USP) verification program for dietary supplements. Launched in 2001, the program helps consumers easily identify supplements that have met USP's comprehensive program requirements to verify quality, purity and composition. Supplements like Nature's Resource Echinacea, which meet the criteria, may bear the USP verification mark on their front label.

"Our verification mark states that the dietary supplement has met USP's rigorous standards," said John Fowler, USP's chief operating officer. "Consumers selecting USP-verified supplements can be assured the product has been verified by the same organization that has established pharmaceutical and dietary supplement standards for more than 180 years. We believe the USP mark will help dietary supplement consumers identify products that have passed the most rigorous, independent product tests today."

"We're pleased to be the first branded herbal supplement to receive USP's verification mark," said John Metz, Senior Product Manager for Nature's Resource. "We value quality and consumer trust. Independent verification programs, like USP's, assist us in strengthening consumer confidence in our industry."

USP Verification Process

As part of the verification process, USP analyzes both the product and the manufacturing facility for the quality and integrity of its ingredients, thereby helping to assure consumers that the dietary supplement:

    --  Contains the ingredients declared on the product label

    --  Contains the amount or strength of ingredients declared on the
        product label

    --  Meets requirements for limits on contaminants

    --  Has been manufactured properly by complying with USP and
        proposed FDA standards for Good Manufacturing Practices

Nature's Resource Echinacea was also recently tested for quality by consumerlab.com, another independent verification program that provides information to help consumers and healthcare professionals evaluate health, wellness, and nutrition products. Eleven Echinacea products were purchased and tested for their active ingredient content, potential microbial and heavy metal contamination, and proper dissolution. Five failed. Nature's Resource Echinacea passed.

USP-verified Echinacea will be available at food, drug and mass merchant retailers beginning this summer. Ten more Nature's Resource products are now being tested this year. In addition, USP will randomly test approved products after the mark is granted to ensure continued quality. Information about USP's verification program for dietary supplements can be found at www.uspverified.org, or by sending an email to mediarelations@usp.org.

For more information on Nature's Resource herbal products, please call Helen Mah at the Pharmavite News Bureau toll free at 877-866-2539.

About Pharmavite LLC

Founded in 1971, Northridge, California-based Pharmavite LLC manufactures and distributes Nature Made(R) vitamins and minerals, SAM-e, Nature's Resource(R) herbal products, OLAY(R) Vitamins & supplements designed to promote health. Pharmavite's manufacturing facilities have been inspected and found to be in compliance with United States Pharmacopeia's (USP) Good Manufacturing Practices, the industry's most stringent standards.

Pharmavite is the first participant in the USP Verification Program for dietary supplements. USP created its Verification Program for dietary supplements to help inform and safeguard consumers who use dietary supplements. Under the Verification Program, USP evaluates and verifies supplements according to stringent standards for product purity, accuracy of ingredient labeling and proper manufacturing practices. The USP verification mark appears on the front label of all verified Nature Made and Nature's Resource supplements.

Nature Made is America's number one, broadline brand of vitamins and minerals in the food, drug, and mass channels. The Wellness Advisor (NatureMade.com), an online educational initiative, utilizes sophisticated analytical tools to provide consumers with personalized health tips and wellness solutions.

OLAY Vitamins (OLAYVitamins.com) is the first vitamin line designed exclusively for women to address both their health and beauty needs. OLAY and its logos are trademarks used under license by Pharmavite LLC, Mission Hills CA 91346.

The dietary supplement industry is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission, as well as by government agencies in each of the 50 states.

About ConsumerLab.com

ConsumerLab.com is a leading provider of consumer information and independent evaluations of products that affect health and nutrition. The company is privately held and based in White Plains, New York. It has no ownership from, or interest in, companies that manufacture, distribute, or sell consumer products. ConsumerLab.com is affiliated with PharmacyChecker.com (www.pharmacychecker.com), an evaluator of online pharmacies. Subscription to ConsumerLab.com is available online. For group subscriptions, Technical Reports, or product testing contact Lisa Sabin, Vice President for Business Development, at lisa.sabin@consumerlab.com.