NOW® Foods News Release
For Immediate Release
August 25, 2004

Bloomingdale, IL – Jim Jochum, US Department of Commerce Assistant Secretary for Import Administration, toured NOW Foods GMP certified manufacturing facility prior to presenting President Elwood Richard and International Sales Manager Philip Pittsford with an Export Achievement Certificate on Wednesday, August 25, 2004.

Through utilizing the Commerce Department’s counseling and assistance programs that help small and medium-size U.S. businesses sell their products and services globally, NOW Foods has increased its international sales 78% since beginning to work with the Chicago office of the US Export Assistance Center in 2001. 2004 YTD sales are 21% above the same period for 2003.

“The commerce department’s programs have been extremely helpful in our expanding our international customer base,” said Mr. Pittsford. International customers are from such countries as Brazil, Taiwan, Singapore, Venezuela, Holland and Israel.

Nationwide, 97 percent of U.S. exporters are small and medium-size businesses, but account for only about 30 percent of the total value of U.S. goods exports—representing vast export potential. The Chicago U.S. Export Assistance Center is part of the agency’s worldwide network. www.export.gov

In the US, NOW Foods is one of the top selling brands of dietary supplements. Products are manufactured in a state of the art GMP certified facility, and the company has won a number of awards for product quality, customer satisfaction, employee safety, industry support and social responsibility.

“Our goal has always been to make our high quality products available to as many people as possible to enhance their health. Expanding our foreign sales helps to achieve that goal,” stated Mr. Richard.

NOW® Foods is a family owned and operated natural products manufacturer/distributor with a 35-year legacy of providing high quality nutritional supplements at affordable prices. The A-rated GMP certified facility boasts state of the art manufacturing capabilities, with one of the industry’s finest teams of product quality experts who conduct specialized tests, analyses and inspections that allow the company to offer superior products. The Richard's family pledge is "underlying NOW's commitment to quality is our commitment to the customers - to provide the best products available at a reasonable price and, thereby, play a meaningful role in the quality and extension of human life."

More information at www.nutraingredients.com