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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K

[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2002.

OR

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 for the transition period from _______ to _____

Commission file number 0-10666

NBTY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

DELAWARE 11-2228617
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)

90 Orville Drive 11716
Bohemia, New York (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)

(631) 567-9500
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, par value $0.008 per share

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

YES [X] NO [ ]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained,
to the best of the Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or
information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form
10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K [X]

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer.

YES [X] NO [ ]

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of
the Registrant on March 28, 2002, was approximately $930,000,000. For
purposes of the foregoing calculation only, all directors and executive
officers of the Registrant have been deemed affiliates. The number of
shares of Common Stock of the Registrant outstanding at March 28, 2002, was
approximately 65,984,000. The number of shares of Common Stock of the
Registrant outstanding at December 9, 2002, was approximately 66,293,500.

Documents Incorporated by Reference: None


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NBTY, INC.
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Caption Page

Forward Looking Statements 1

PART I

ITEM 1 BUSINESS 2

General 2
Business Strategy 3
Operating Segments 5
Employees and Advertising 7
Manufacturing, Distribution and Quality Control 7
Research and Development 9
Competition; Customers 9
Government Regulation 9
International Operations 14
Trademarks 15
Raw Materials 15
Seasonality 15

ITEM 2 PROPERTIES 15

ITEM 3 LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 18

ITEM 4 SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS 19

PART II

ITEM 5 MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS 20

Dividend Policy 20
Price Range for Common Stock 20

ITEM 6 SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA 21

ITEM 7 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 22

Background 22
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates 23
Results of Operations 27
Seasonality 31
Liquidity and Capital Resources 31
Related Party Transactions 34
Inflation 35
Financial Covenants and Credit Rating 35
New Accounting Developments 35


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ITEM 7A QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT
MARKET RISK 36

ITEM 8 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA 36

ITEM 9 CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON
ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE 37

PART III

ITEM 10 DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT 38

Compensation of Directors 40
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance 40


ITEM 11 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION 41

Summary Compensation Table 41
Option Value at the End of Fiscal 2002 42
Employment Agreements with Executive Officers
and Directors 43

ITEM 12 SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS 45

Securities Authorized For Issuance Under Equity
Compensation Plans 48
NBTY, Inc. Employees' Stock Ownership Plan 49
Eligibility; Trustee 49
Contributions 49
Vesting 49
Distribution; Voting 49

ITEM 13 CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS 50

ITEM 14 CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES 50

PART IV

ITEM 15 EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SCHEDULES,
AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K 52
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedule 54
Financial Statements F-1
Financial Statement Schedule S-1
Signatures
Certifications
Exhibits


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PART I

Forward Looking Statements

This Annual Report on Form 10-K (the "Report") contains forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. Discussions containing such forward-looking statements may be
found in Items 1, 2, 3, 7 and 7A hereof, as well as within this Report
generally. In addition, when used in this Report, the words "subject to,"
"believe," "expect," "plan," "estimate," "intend," "may," "will," "should,"
or "anticipate," or the negative thereof, or variations thereon, or similar
expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
Similarly, discussions of strategy, although believed to be reasonable, are
also forward-looking statements and are inherently uncertain. All forward-
looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results to differ materially from projected results.
Factors which may materially affect such forward-looking statements
include: (i) slow or negative growth in the nutritional supplement
industry; (ii) interruption of business or negative impact on sales and
earnings due to acts of war, terrorism, bio-terrorism, civil unrest or
disruption of mail service; (iii) adverse publicity regarding the
consumption of nutritional supplements; (iv) inability to retain customers
of companies (or mailing lists) recently acquired; (v) increased
competition; (vi) increased costs; (vii) loss or retirement of key members
of management; (viii) increases in the cost of borrowings and
unavailability of additional debt or equity capital; (ix) unavailability
of, or inability to consummate, advantageous acquisitions in the future,
including those that may be subject to bankruptcy approval or the inability
of the Company (as defined below) to integrate acquisitions into the
mainstream of its business; (x) changes in general worldwide economic and
political conditions in the markets in which the Company may compete from
time to time; (xi) the inability of the Company to gain and/or hold market
share of its wholesale and retail customers; (xii) loss or reduction in
ephedra sales; (xiii) unavailability of electricity in certain geographical
areas; (xiv) exposure to and expense of defending and resolving, product
liability claims and other litigation; (xv) the ability of the Company to
successfully implement its business strategy; (xvi) the inability of the
Company to manage its retail, wholesale, manufacturing and other operations
efficiently; (xvii) consumer acceptance of the Company's products; (xviii)
the inability of the Company to renew leases on its retail locations; (xix)
inability of the Company's retail stores to attain or maintain
profitability; (xx) the absence of clinical trials for many of the
Company's products; (xxi) sales and earnings volatility and/or trends;
(xxii) the effect on Company sales of the rapidly changing nature of the
Internet and on-line commerce; (xxiii) fluctuations in foreign currencies,
and more particularly the British Pound; (xxiv) import-export controls on
sales to foreign countries; (xxv) the inability of the Company to secure
favorable new sites for, and delays in opening, new retail locations;
(xxvi) introduction of new federal, state, local or foreign legislation or
regulation or adverse determinations by regulators, and more particularly
the Food Supplements Directive and the Traditional Herbal Medicinal
Products Directive in Europe; (xxvii) the mix of the Company's products and
the profit margins thereon; (xxviii) the availability and pricing of raw
materials; (xxix) risk factors discussed in the Company's filings with the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"); and (xxx) other
factors beyond the Company's control.


1


Consequently, such forward-looking statements should be regarded solely as
the Company's current plans, estimates and beliefs. Readers are cautioned
not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company
cannot guarantee future results, events, and levels of activity,
performance or achievements. The Company does not undertake and
specifically declines any obligation to update, republish or revise
forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the
date hereof or to reflect the occurrences of unanticipated events.

Industry data used throughout this Report was obtained from industry
publications and internal Company estimates. While the Company believes
such information to be reliable, its accuracy has not been independently
verified and cannot be guaranteed.

Item 1. BUSINESS

General

NBTY, Inc. (the "Company", "NBTY", "we" or "us") is a leading
vertically integrated manufacturer, marketer and retailer of a broad line
of high quality, value-priced nutritional supplements in the United States,
the United Kingdom, Ireland and internationally. Under a number of brands,
the Company offers over 1,000 products, including vitamins, minerals,
herbs, amino acids, sports nutrition products, diet aids and other
nutritional supplements. The Company is vertically integrated in that it
purchases raw materials, formulates and manufactures its products and then
markets its products through its four channels of distribution: (i)
Puritan's Pride/direct response, the leading U.S. nutritional supplement e-
commerce/direct response program under the Puritan's Pride(R) brand in
catalogs and through the Internet; (ii) 544 Vitamin World(R) and Nutrition
Warehouse(R) retail stores, operating throughout the U.S. in 46 states,
Guam and Puerto Rico; (iii) 468 Holland & Barrett(R) and Nature's Way(R)
retail stores, operating throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland; and
(iv) wholesale distribution to mass merchandisers, drug store chains,
supermarkets, independent pharmacies and health food stores under various
brand names, including the Nature's Bounty(R) brand. At September 30,
2002, the Company manufactured over 90% of the nutritional supplements it
sold.

The Company was incorporated in Delaware in 1979 under the name
Nature's Bounty, Inc. On March 26, 1995, the Company changed its name to
NBTY, Inc. The Company's principal executive offices are located at 90
Orville Drive, Bohemia, New York 11716 and its telephone number is (631)
567-9500. The Company's Internet address is www.nbty.com. The Company's
United Kingdom subsidiary, Holland & Barrett, has its principal executive
offices in Nuneaton, United Kingdom.

The Company makes available, free of charge, on the Company's web
site, the Company's annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form
10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to these reports
filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), as soon as is
reasonably practicable, after the Company electronically files such
materials with the SEC.


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Business Strategy

The Company targets the growing value-conscious consumer segment by
offering high-quality products at a value price. The Company's objective is
to increase sales, improve manufacturing efficiencies, increase
profitability and strengthen its market position through the following key
strategies:

Expand Existing Channels of Distribution. The Company plans to
continue expanding and improving its existing channels of distribution
through aggressive marketing and synergistic acquisitions in order to
increase sales and profitability and enhance overall market share.

* Increase Puritan's Pride direct response sales. NBTY expects to
continue strengthening its leading position in the e-
commerce/direct response business by: (i) improving automated
picking and packing to fulfill sales order requests with
greater speed and accuracy; (ii) increasing manufacturing
capability to quickly introduce and deliver new products in
response to customer demand; (iii) testing new and more
frequent promotions to further improve response rates; and (iv)
promoting its Internet web sites. The Company also intends to
continue its strategy of acquiring the customer lists, brand
names and inventory of other mail order companies which have
similar or complementary products which the Company believes
can be efficiently integrated into its own operations without
adding substantial overhead expenses.

* Increase Retail Sales in the U.S. Over the last several years,
the Company's strategy has focused on the development of a
nationwide chain of retail stores in the United States. To
that end, at September 30, 2002, the Company operated 544
Vitamin World(R) and Nutrition Warehouse(R) retail stores
located in regional and outlet malls. The Company has added
approximately 218 retail stores in the past three fiscal years
or approximately 40% of the total number of stores in operation
at September 30, 2002. New stores historically do not have the
same high customer traffic as more mature stores. During the
fiscal year ended September 30, 2002 (the "fiscal 2002"), the
Company opened 24 Vitamin World stores. The Company plans to
open approximately 25 new stores in the next fiscal year. In an
effort to increase customer traffic, the Company successfully
introduced its Savings Passport Card, a customer loyalty
program, which provides incentives for the consumer to purchase
at Vitamin World(R). It is an additional tool for the Company
to track customer preferences and purchasing trends. At the end
of fiscal 2002, there were over 2.8 million Savings Passport
Card members.

* Increase Wholesale Sales in the U.S. and in Foreign Markets.
The Company expects to strengthen its wholesale business by
continuing to increase its sales in food, drug and mass
merchandising channels by (i) increasing revenues derived from
existing customers through strong promotional activities and
the aggressive introduction of new and innovative products;
(ii) increasing shelf


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space in major retailers; (iii) leveraging the advertising and
promotion of its major specialty brands, such as Flex-A-Min(R)
and Knox(R) and; (iv) continuing to grow its private label
revenue with new customers and timely product introductions.
The Company also seeks increased sales in the health food store
distribution channel by (a) adding new customers and growing
sales to existing customers through the strategic use of
advertising and promotion of core products; and (b) the
introduction of unique new products such as CardioSmart, a
special formulation to support cardiovascular health. In
addition, the Company continues to form new distribution
alliance throughout the world for its products. A new sales
division in the U.K. has recently been established to take
advantage of wholesale sales opportunities in the U.K. and
the European continent.

* Increase Retail Sales in the U.K. and Ireland. The Company
continues its strategy of selectively expanding the number of
its Holland & Barrett stores located throughout the U.K. At
September 30, 2002, there were 468 Holland & Barrett(R) and
Nature's Way(R) stores in the U.K. and Ireland. In fiscal 2002,
Holland & Barrett opened 7 new stores in the U.K. and Ireland.
The Company projects that, during the next fiscal year, the
Company will open 28 new retail stores in the U.K. and Ireland.

Introduce New Products. The Company has consistently been among the
first in the industry to introduce innovative products in response to new
studies, research and consumer preferences. Given the changing nature of
consumer demands for new products and the growing publicity over the
importance of vitamins, minerals and nutritional supplements in the
promotion of general health, management believes that NBTY will continue to
maintain its core customer base and attract new customers based upon its
ability to rapidly respond to consumer demands with high quality, value-
oriented products.

Enhance Vertical Integration. The Company believes that its vertical
integration gives it a significant competitive advantage by allowing the
Company to: (i) maintain higher quality standards while lowering product
costs, a portion of which are passed on to the customer as lower prices;
(ii) more quickly respond to scientific and popular reports and consumer
buying trends; (iii) more effectively meet customer delivery schedules;
(iv) reduce dependence upon outside suppliers; and (v) improve overall
operating margins. The Company continually evaluates ways to further
enhance its vertical integration by leveraging manufacturing, distribution,
purchasing and marketing capabilities, and otherwise improve its
operations.

Build Infrastructure to Support Growth. NBTY has technologically
advanced, state-of-the-art manufacturing and production facilities, with
total production capacity of approximately thirty billion tablets and
capsules per year. The Company regularly evaluates its operations and makes
investments in building infrastructure, as necessary, to support its
continuing growth.


4


Strategic Acquisitions. The Company seeks acquisition opportunities,
both in the U.S. and internationally, of companies which complement or
extend its existing product lines, increase the Company's market presence,
expand its distribution channels, and/or are compatible with its business
philosophy. In fiscal 2002, NBTY completed three acquisitions: (i) the
mail order operation of HealthCentral.com; (ii) the Knox(R) gelatine
nutritional supplement business of Kraft Foods; and (iii) the Synergy
Plus(R) product line of nutritional supplements.

Experienced Management Team. The Company's management team has
extensive experience in the nutritional supplement industry and has
developed long-standing relationships with its suppliers and its customers.
The executive officers of the Company have an average of approximately 20
years with the Company.

Operating Segments

NBTY and its subsidiaries operate in the nutritional supplement
industry, focusing their products and services on four segments of this
industry: Puritan's Pride/direct response, U.S. retail, U.K./Ireland
retail, and wholesale (which includes network marketing).

The following table sets forth the percentage of net sales for each
of the Company's operating segments:




Fiscal Years Ended September 30,
--------------------------------

2002 2001 2000
---- ---- ----

Puritan's Pride/direct response 19% 21% 25%
Retail:
U.S. 21% 22% 21%
U.K./Ireland. 30% 33% 34%
Wholesale 30% 24% 20%
-- -- --
100% 100% 100%


Further information about the financial results of each of these
segments is found in Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in
this Report.

Puritan's Pride/direct response. The Company offers, through mail
order and e-commerce, a full line of vitamins and other nutritional
supplement products as well as selected personal care items under its
Puritan's Pride(R) brand names at prices which are usually at a discount
from those of similar products sold in retail stores.

Through its Puritan's Pride(R) brand, NBTY is the leader in the U.S.
direct response nutritional supplement industry with over four million
active customers and with response rates which management believes to be
above the industry average. NBTY intends to continue to appeal to new
customers in its direct response operation through aggressive marketing
techniques both in the U.S. and the U.K., and through selective
acquisitions.


5


In order to maximize sales per catalog and reduce mailing and
printing costs, the Company regularly updates its mail order list to
include new customers and to eliminate those who have not placed an order
within a designated period of time. In addition, in order to add new
customers to its mailing lists and web sites and to increase average order
sizes, the Company places advertisements in newspaper supplements and
conducts insert programs with other mail order companies. The Company's use
of state-of-the-art equipment in its direct response operations, such as
computerized mailing, bar-coded addresses and automated picking and packing
systems enables the Company to fill orders typically within 24 hours of
their receipt. This allows the Company to lower its per customer
distribution costs, thereby enhancing margins and enabling the Company to
offer its products at lower prices than its competitors.

The Company's www.puritan.com and www.vitamins.com web sites provide
a practical and convenient method for consumers wishing to purchase
products to promote healthy living. By using these web sites, consumers
have access to the full line of more than 1,000 products which are offered
through the Company's Puritan's Pride(R) mail order catalog. Consumer
orders are processed with the speed, economy and efficiency of the
Company's automated picking and packing system.

The Company maintains another web site, www.vitaminworld.com, to
accommodate customers who wish to purchase nutritional supplements on the
Internet, or to find a conveniently located store to make purchases in
person. This web site provides the consumer with information concerning the
products offered in the Company's stores and with information about store
locations.

Retail U.S. At the end of fiscal 2002, the Company leased and
operated 544 retail stores located in 46 states, Guam and Puerto Rico,
under the Vitamin World(R) and Nutrition Warehouse(R) names. Each location
carries a full line of the Company's products under the Company's brand
names as well as products manufactured by others. Through direct
interaction between the Company's personnel and the public, the Company is
able to identify buying trends, customer preferences or dislikes,
acceptances of new products and price trends in various regions of the
country. This information is useful in initiating sales programs for all
divisions of the Company.

Retail U.K./Ireland Holland & Barrett ("H&B") is one of the leading
nutritional supplement retailers in the United Kingdom, with 468 locations
in the United Kingdom and Ireland at September 30, 2002. H&B markets a
broad line of nutritional supplement products, including vitamins, minerals
and other nutritional supplements (approximately 65% of H&B's revenues) as
well as food products, including fruits and nuts, confectionery and other
items (approximately 35% of H&B's revenues). Nutritional supplement
products manufactured by NBTY accounted for approximately 45% of H&B's
total sales in fiscal 2002.

Wholesale/Mass Marketing. The Company markets its products under
various brand names to many stores, including leading drug store chains and
supermarkets, independent pharmacies, health food stores, health food store
wholesalers and other retailers such as mass merchandisers. The Nature's
Bounty(R) brand is sold to drug store chains and drug wholesalers. The
Company sells a full line of products to supermarket


6


chains and wholesalers under the brand name Natural Wealth(R) at prices
designed for the "price conscious" consumer. The Company sells directly to
health food stores under the brand name Good 'N Natural(R) and sells
products, including a specialty line of vitamins, to health food
wholesalers under the brand name American Health(R). The Company has
expanded sales of various products to many countries throughout Europe,
Asia and Latin America.

For additional information regarding financial information about the
geographic areas in which the Company and its subsidiaries conduct their
business, see Item 7 "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations" and the Notes to the Company's
Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Report.

Employees and Advertising

As of September 30, 2002, the Company employed approximately 8,100
persons, which included:

(i) 2,586 sales associates located throughout the U.S. in its
Vitamin World(R) and Nutrition Warehouse(R) retail stores;

(ii) 1,610 manufacturing, shipping and packaging associates
throughout the U.S.;

(iii) 632 associates in administration throughout the U.S.;

(iv) 68 associates who sell to NBTY's wholesale distributors and
customers;

(v) 34 in-house advertising associates; and

(vi) 3,157 associates in its H&B operations, including:

(A) 2,885 retail associates,
(B) 149 associates in distribution, and
(C) 123 associates in administration.

In addition, NBTY sells through commissioned sales representative
organizations. The Company believes it has satisfactory employee and labor
relations.

For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2000, 2001 and 2002, NBTY
spent approximately $34 million, $49 million and $48 million, respectively,
on advertising and promotions, including print, media and cooperative
advertising. NBTY creates its own advertising materials through its in-
house staff of associates. In the U.K., H&B runs advertisements in
national newspapers, conducts sales promotions and publishes a glossy
magazine with articles and promotional materials.

Manufacturing, Distribution and Quality Control

The Company employs approximately 1,600 manufacturing, shipping and
packaging associates throughout the United States. The Company's
manufacturing facilities are located in New York, California, Colorado, New
Jersey and Illinois and is conducted in accordance with good manufacturing
practice standards promulgated by the United States Food and Drug
Administration ("the FDA") and other applicable regulatory


7


standards. The Company manufactures products for its four operating
segments as well as for third parties. The Company believes that the
capacity of its manufacturing and distribution facilities is adequate to
meet the requirements of its current business and will be adequate to meet
the requirements of anticipated increases in sales.

The Company places special emphasis on quality control. All raw
materials used in production initially are held in quarantine during which
time the Company's laboratory technicians assay the raw materials and the
results are compared with the manufacturer's certificate of analysis. Once
cleared, a lot number is assigned, samples are retained and the material is
processed by formulating, mixing and granulating, compressing and sometimes
coating operations. After the tablet or capsule is manufactured, laboratory
technicians test its weight, purity, potency, dissolution and stability.
When products such as vitamin tablets are ready for bottling, the Company's
automated equipment counts the tablets, inserts them into bottles, adds a
tamper-resistant cap with an inner safety seal and affixes a label. The
Company uses computer-generated documentation for picking and packing for
order fulfillment.

The Company's manufacturing operations are designed to allow low cost
production of a wide variety of products of different quantities, sizes and
packaging while maintaining a high level of customer service and quality.
Flexible production line changeover capabilities and reduced cycle times
allow the Company to respond quickly to changes in manufacturing schedules.

Inventory Control. The Company has installed inventory control
systems at its facilities that enable it to track each product as it is
received from its supply sources through manufacturing and shipment to its
customers. To facilitate this tracking, a significant number of products
sold by the Company are bar coded. The Company's inventory control systems
report shipping, sales and individual SKU level inventory information. The
Company manages the retail sales process by monitoring customer sales and
inventory levels by product category. The Company believes that its
distribution capabilities enable it to increase flexibility in responding
to the delivery requirements of its customers.

Information from the Company's point-of-sale computer system is
regularly reviewed and analyzed by the purchasing staff to assist in making
merchandise allocation and markdown decisions. The Company uses an
automated reorder system to maintain in-stock positions on key items. These
systems provide management with the information needed to determine the
proper timing and quantity of reorders.

Financial Reporting. The Company's financial reporting systems
provide management with detailed financial reporting to support
management's operating decisions and cost control efforts. These systems
provide functions such as scheduling of payments, receiving of payments,
general ledger interface, vendor tracking and flexible reporting options.


8


Research and Development

In the last three fiscal years, the Company did not expend any
significant amounts for basic research and development of new products.

Competition; Customers

The market for nutritional supplement products is highly competitive.
Competition is based primarily on price, quality and assortment of
products, customer service, marketing support, and availability of new
products. The Company believes it competes favorably in all of these areas.

The Company's direct competition consists primarily of publicly and
privately owned companies, highly fragmented in terms of both geographical
market coverage and product categories. The Company also competes in the
nutritional supplement area with companies which may have broader product
lines and/or larger sales volumes. The Company's products also compete
with nationally advertised brand name products. Most of the national brand
companies have resources substantially greater than those of the Company.

There are numerous companies in the vitamin and nutritional
supplement industry selling products to retailers, including mass
merchandisers, drug store chains, independent drug stores, supermarkets and
health food stores. Many companies within the industry are privately held.
Therefore, the Company is unable to precisely assess the size of all of its
competitors or where the Company ranks in comparison to such privately held
competitors with respect to sales to retailers.

Two customers of the wholesale division represented, individually,
more than 10% of this segment's sales in fiscal 2002. However, the Company
does not believe that the loss of either of these customers or any other
any single customer of the Company would have a material adverse effect on
the Company's consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Government Regulation

United States. The formulation, manufacturing, packaging, labeling,
advertising and distribution of NBTY's products are subject to regulation
by one or more federal agencies, including the FDA, the Federal Trade
Commission ("FTC"), the Postal Service, the Consumer Product Safety
Commission, the Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection
Agency, and also by various agencies of the states, localities and foreign
countries in which NBTY's products are sold. In particular, the FDA,
pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act ("FDCA"), regulates
the formulation, manufacturing, packaging, labeling and distribution of
dietary supplements, including vitamins, minerals and herbs, and of over-
the-counter ("OTC") drugs, while the FTC has jurisdiction to regulate
advertising of these products, and the Postal Service regulates advertising
claims with respect to such products sold by mail order.

9


The FDCA has been amended several times with respect to dietary
supplements, in particular by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education
Act of 1994 ("DSHEA"). DSHEA established a new framework governing the
composition and labeling of dietary supplements. With respect to
composition, DSHEA defined "dietary supplements" as vitamins, minerals,
herbs, other botanicals, amino acids and other dietary substances for human
use to supplement the diet, as well as concentrates, metabolites,
constituents, extracts or combinations of such dietary ingredients.
Generally, under DSHEA, dietary ingredients that were on the market before
October 15, 1994 may be used in dietary supplements without notifying the
FDA. However, a "new" dietary ingredient (i.e., a dietary ingredient that
was "not marketed in the United States before October 15, 1994") must be
the subject of a new dietary ingredient notification submitted to the FDA
unless the ingredient has been "present in the food supply as an article
used for food" without being "chemically altered." A new dietary
ingredient notification must provide the FDA evidence of a "history of use
or other evidence of safety" establishing that use of the dietary
ingredient "will reasonably be expected to be safe." A new dietary
ingredient notification must be submitted to the FDA at least 75 days
before the initial marketing of the new dietary ingredient. There can be
no assurance that the FDA will accept the evidence of safety for any new
dietary ingredients that the Company may want to market, and the FDA's
refusal to accept such evidence could prevent the marketing of such dietary
ingredients.

The botanical ingredient ephedra is currently used in several of the
Company's dietary supplement products, comprising approximately 4 percent
of the Company's sales during fiscal 2002 in the United States. The
Company believes the ingredient is safe for use under the conditions set
forth in the labeling of these products. However, there is a possibility
that the FDA or one or more states or local governments may impose
restrictions that would require the Company to cease sale of some or all of
these products. There can be no assurance that such restrictions would not
have a material adverse effect upon the Company's consolidated financial
position or results of operations.

DSHEA permits "statements of nutritional support" to be included in
labeling for dietary supplements without the FDA pre-approval. Such
statements may describe how a particular dietary ingredient affects the
structure, function or general well-being of the body, or the mechanism of
action by which a dietary ingredient may affect body structure, function or
well-being (but may not state that a dietary supplement will diagnose,
cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent a disease). A company that uses a
statement of nutritional support in labeling must possess evidence
substantiating that the statement is truthful and not misleading, must
disclose on the label that the FDA has not "evaluated" the statement, must
also disclose on the label that the product is not intended for use for a
disease, and must notify the FDA about the company's use of the statement
within 30 days after its initial use. However, there can be no assurance
that the FDA will not determine that a particular statement of nutritional
support that a company wants to use is an unacceptable drug claim or an
unauthorized version of a "health claim." Such a determination might
prevent a company from using the claim.

In addition, DSHEA provides that certain so-called "third party
literature," e.g., a reprint of a peer-reviewed scientific publication
linking a particular dietary ingredient with health benefits, may be used
"in connection with the sale of a dietary supplement to


10


consumers" without the literature being subject to regulation as labeling.
Such literature must not be false or misleading; the literature may not
"promote" a particular manufacturer or brand of dietary supplement; and a
balanced view of the available scientific information on the subject matter
must be presented. There can be no assurance, however, that all third
party literature that NBTY would like to disseminate in connection with its
products will satisfy each of these requirements, and failure to satisfy
all requirements could prevent use of the literature or subject the product
involved to regulation as an illegal drug.

Management expects that the FDA soon will propose "good manufacturing
practice" ("GMP") regulations, authorized by DSHEA, specifically for
dietary supplements. GMP regulations would require dietary supplements to
be prepared, packaged and held in compliance with certain rules, and might
require quality control provisions similar to those in the GMP regulations
for drugs. There can be no assurance that, if the FDA adopts GMP
regulations for dietary supplements, NBTY will be able to comply with the
new rules without incurring substantial expenses.

The FDA generally prohibits the use in labeling for a dietary
supplement of any "health claim" (that is not authorized as a "statement of
nutritional support" permitted by DSHEA) unless the claim is pre-approved
by the FDA. There can be no assurance that some of the labeling statements
that NBTY would like to use will not be deemed by the FDA to be
"unauthorized health claims" that are not permitted to be used.

Although the regulation of dietary supplements is in some respects
less restrictive than the regulation of drugs, there can be no assurance
that dietary supplements will continue to be subject to less restrictive
regulation. Further, there can be no assurance that, if more stringent
statutes are enacted for dietary supplements, or if more stringent
regulations are promulgated, NBTY will be able to comply with such statutes
or regulations without incurring substantial expense, or that it will be
able to comply at all.

The FDA regulates the formulation, manufacturing, packaging, labeling
and distribution of OTC drug products pursuant to a "monograph" system that
specifies active drug ingredients that are generally recognized as safe and
effective for particular uses. If an OTC drug is not in compliance with an
applicable the FDA monograph, the product generally cannot be sold without
first obtaining the FDA approval of a new drug application, a long and
expensive procedure.

The FDA has broad authority to enforce the provisions of the FDCA
applicable to dietary supplements, including powers to issue a public
"warning letter" to a company, to publicize information about illegal
products, to request a recall of illegal products from the market, and to
request the Department of Justice to initiate a seizure action, an
injunction action, or a criminal prosecution in the United States courts.

FTC exercises jurisdiction over the advertising of dietary
supplements. In recent years, FTC has instituted numerous enforcement
actions against dietary supplement companies for failure to have adequate
substantiation for claims made in advertising or for the use of false or
misleading advertising claims. These enforcement actions have often
resulted in consent decrees and the payment of civil penalties by the
companies


11


involved. NBTY is currently subject to a FTC consent decree resulting from
past advertising claims for certain of its products, and is required to
maintain compliance with this decree and is subject to substantial civil
monetary penalties if there should be any failure to comply. Further, the
Postal Service has issued cease and desist orders against certain mail
order advertising claims made by dietary supplement manufacturers including
NBTY, and NBTY is required to maintain compliance with the order applicable
to it, subject to civil monetary penalties for any noncompliance.
Violations of these orders could result in substantial monetary penalties,
which could have a material adverse effect on NBTY's consolidated financial
position or results of operations.

NBTY is also subject to regulation under various state, local, and
international laws that include provisions governing, among other things,
the formulation, manufacturing, packaging, labeling, advertising and
distribution of dietary supplements and OTC drugs. Government regulations
in foreign countries may prevent or delay the introduction, or require the
reformulation, of certain of NBTY's products. Compliance with such foreign
governmental regulations is generally the responsibility of NBTY's
distributors in those countries. These distributors are independent
contractors over whom the Company has only limited or minimal control.

In addition, from time to time in the future, NBTY may become subject
to additional laws or regulations administered by the FDA or by other
federal, state, local or foreign regulatory authorities, to the repeal of
laws or regulations that the Company considers favorable, such as DSHEA, or
to more stringent interpretations of current laws or regulations. The
Company is not able to predict the nature of such future laws, regulations,
repeals or interpretations, and it cannot predict what effect additional
governmental regulation, when and if it occurs, would have on its business
in the future. Such developments could, however, require reformulation of
certain products to meet new standards, recalls or discontinuance of
certain products not able to be reformulated, additional record-keeping
requirements, increased documentation of the properties of certain
products, additional or different labeling, additional scientific
substantiation, or other new requirements. Any such developments could
have a material adverse effect on NBTY.

United Kingdom. In the United Kingdom, the two laws that affect the
operations of H&B are the Medicines Act 1968, which regulates the licensing
and sale of medicines, and the Food Safety Act 1990 which provides for the
safety of food products. A large volume of Secondary Legislation in the
form of Statutory Instruments adds the detail to the main provisions of the
above Acts.

In the U.K. regulatory system a product intended to be taken orally
will fall within the category of food or the category of medicine. There is
no special category of dietary supplement as provided for in the US by
DSHEA. Some products which are intended to be applied externally, for
example creams and ointments, may be classified as medicines and others as
cosmetics.

The Medicines Control Agency ("MCA") has responsibility for the
implementation and enforcement of the Medicines Act, and is the licensing
authority for medicinal products. The MCA directly employs enforcement
officers from a wide range


12


of backgrounds, including the police, and with a wide range of skills,
including recently information technology. The MCA answers to Government
Ministers in the Department of Health. The MCA decides whether a product is
a medicine or not, and if so, considers whether it can be licensed. It
determines the status of a product by considering whether it is medicinal
by "presentation" or by "function". Many, though not all, herbal remedies
are considered "medicinal" by nature of these two tests.

The Food Standards Agency ("FSA") deals with legislation, policy and
oversight of food products, with enforcement action in most situations
being handled by local authority Trading Standards Officers. The FSA
answers primarily to Ministers at the Department of Health, and the
Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs. Most vitamin and mineral
supplements, and some products with herbal ingredients are considered to be
food supplements and fall under general food law which requires them to be
safe.

In July 2002, the European Union ("EU") published in its Official
Journal the final text of a Food Supplements Directive which came into EU
law on that date, and which sets out a process and timetable by which the
(currently 15) Member States of Europe must bring their domestic
legislation in line with its provisions. It seeks to harmonise the
regulation of the composition, labeling and marketing of food supplements
(at this stage only vitamins and minerals) throughout the EU. It does this
by specifying what nutrients and nutrients sources may be used (and by
interpretation the rest which may not), the level at which those nutrients
may be present in a supplement, and the labeling and other information
which must be provided on packaging.

By harmonising the legislation, the Food Supplements Directive should
provide opportunities for businesses to market one product or range of
products to a larger number of potential consumers without having to
reformulate or repackage it. This development may lead to some liberalising
of the more restrictive regimes in France and Germany, providing new
business opportunities. Conversely, however, it may substantially limit the
range of nutrients and nutrient sources, and the potencies at which some
nutrients may be marketed by the Company in the more liberal countries,
such as the U.K., which may lead to some reformulation costs and loss of
some specialist products.

The provisions of the Food Supplements Directive will be turned into
U.K. domestic law through Statutory Instruments.

The EU is also considering a Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products
Directive which would allow a traditional herbal medicine to be licensed
without having to demonstrate its efficacy in the way that pharmaceutical
products have to do, provided that it is safe, is manufactured to high
standards, and has been on the market for 30 years. This Directive is
intended to provide a safe home in EU law for a number of categories of
herbal remedies, which may otherwise be found to fall outside EU law. It
does not, however, provide a mechanism for new product development, and
would entail some compliance costs in registering the many herbal products
already on the market.


13


Additional EU legislation is anticipated in the near future to
further regulate the composition, labeling and marketing of other products
including sports nutrition products, fortified foods, very low calorie
diets, and foods for particular nutritional purposes. Further progress is
expected with legislative initiatives to permit, but closely regulate, the
use of health claims made for products.

The EU has now established a new European Food Safety Authority,
which will have an important role to play in focusing attention on food
standards in Europe. Its new Executive Director, due to take up his
position early in 2003, is Mr. Geoffrey Podger, until recently the Chief
Executive of the U.K.'s Food Standards Agency.

Ireland. The legislative and regulatory situation in the Republic of
Ireland is similar, but not identical to that in the United Kingdom.

The Irish Medicines Board has a similar role to that of the U.K. MCA,
and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland is analogous to the U.K. FSA.

Like the U.K., Ireland will be required to bring its domestic
legislation into line with the provisions of the Food Supplements Directive
and the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive when the latter is
finalised, and, indeed, with the other forthcoming EU legislation mentioned
above. Thus the market prospects for Ireland are, in general, similar to
those outlined for the U.K.

International Operations

In addition to the U.K. and Ireland, the Company markets its
nutritional supplement products through distributors, retailers and direct
mail in more than 70 countries throughout Europe, North America, South
America, Asia, the Pacific Rim countries, Africa and the Caribbean Islands.

The Company's international operations are conducted in a manner to
conform to local variations, economic realities, market customs, consumer
habits and regulatory environments. The Company's products (including
labeling of such products) and the distribution and marketing programs of
the Company are modified in response to local and foreign legal
requirements and customer preferences.

The Company's international operations are subject to many of
the same risks faced by the Company's domestic operations. These include
competition and the strength of the relevant economy. In addition,
international operations are subject to certain risks inherent in
conducting business abroad, including foreign regulatory restrictions,
fluctuations in monetary exchange rates, import-export controls and the
economic and political policies of foreign governments. The importance of
these risks increases as the Company's international operations grow and
expand. Virtually all of the Company's international operations are
affected by foreign currency fluctuations, and, more particularly, changes
in the value of the British Pound as compared to the U.S. Dollar.

For additional information regarding financial information about the
geographic areas in which the Company and its subsidiaries conduct their
business, see Item 7


14


"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" and the Notes to the Company's Consolidated Financial
Statements contained in this Report.

Trademarks

U.S. The Company and its subsidiaries have applied for or registered
more than 1,000 trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark
Office and many other major jurisdictions throughout the world for its
Nature's Bounty(R), Holland & Barrett(R), Good' N Natural(R), American
Health(R), Puritan's Pride(R), Vitamin World(R), Natural Wealth(R),
Nutrition Headquarters(R) and Nutrition Warehouse(R) trademarks, among
others, and has rights to use other names essential to its business.
Federally registered trademarks have a perpetual life, as long as they are
maintained and renewed on a timely basis and used properly as trademarks,
subject to the rights of third parties to seek cancellation of the
trademarks if they claim priority or confusion of usage. The Company
regards its trademarks and other proprietary rights as valuable assets and
believes they have significant value in the marketing of its products. The
Company vigorously protects its trademarks against infringement.

U.K./Ireland. H&B owns trademarks registered in the United Kingdom
and/or throughout the European community for its Holland & Barrett and
Nature's Way trademarks and has rights to use other names essential to its
business.

Raw Materials

In fiscal 2002, the Company spent approximately $196 million on raw
materials. The principal raw materials required in the Company's
operations are vitamins, minerals, herbs, gel caps, and bottling materials.
The Company purchases its vitamins, minerals and herbs from bulk
manufacturers in the United States, Japan and Europe. The Company believes
that there are adequate sources of supply for all of its principal raw
materials, and that the Company's relationships with its suppliers yield
improved quality, pricing and overall service to its customers. Although
there can be no assurance that the Company's sources of supply for its
principal raw materials will be adequate in all circumstances, in the event
that such sources are not adequate, the Company believes that alternate
sources can be developed in a timely manner. During fiscal 2002, one
supplier accounted for approximately 10% of the Company's raw material
purchases. However, the Company does not believe that the loss of this or
any other single supplier would have a material adverse effect on the
Company's consolidated financial results of operations.

Seasonality

The Company's business is not seasonal in nature.

Item 2. PROPERTIES

U.S. At September 30, 2002, the Company owned a total of
approximately 1,400,000 square feet of plant and administrative facilities.
The Company also leased approximately 637,000 square feet of
administrative, manufacturing, warehouse and


15


distribution space in various locations at the end of fiscal 2002. The
Company leases and operates approximately 544 retail locations under the
name Vitamin World(R) and Nutrition Warehouse(R) in 46 states in the U.S.,
Guam and Puerto Rico. Generally, the Company leases the properties for
three to ten years at varying annual base rents and percentage rents in the
event sales exceed a specified amount. The retail stores have an average
selling area of approximately 1,070 square feet.

U.K./Ireland. Holland & Barrett owns a 178,000 square foot
administrative, manufacturing and distribution facility (which includes a
42,500 square foot mezzanine) in Burton, and leases a 9,300 square foot
administrative building in Nuneaton. Additionally, H&B leases all but
three of the locations of its 468 retail stores for terms varying between
10 and 35 years at varying annual base rents. Eight of H&B's stores are
subject to percentage rents in the event sales exceed a specified amount.
The stores have an average selling area of 935 square feet.

The following is a listing of all material properties
(excluding retail locations) owned or leased by the Company, which are used
in all four of the Company's business segments:




Type of Approx. Leased
Location Facility Sq. Feet or Owned
- -------- -------- -------- --------

UNITED STATES:

Bohemia, NY Administration & Manufacturing 169,000 Owned
Bohemia, NY Manufacturing 80,000 Owned
Bohemia, NY (1) Manufacturing 75,000 Owned
Bohemia, NY Leased to tenant 62,000 Owned
(term-2003)
Holbrook, NY (1) Distribution 230,000 Owned
Holbrook, NY Distribution 108,000 Owned
Ronkonkoma, NY Administration & Distribution 110,000 Owned
Ronkonkoma, NY Warehouse 75,000 Leased
(term-2005)
Bayport, NY IT Services 12,000 Owned
Bayport, NY Manufacturing 131,000 Owned
Mineola, NY Administrative 13,000 Owned
Reno, NV Distribution 25,000 Leased
(term-2006)
Carbondale, IL Administration, Manufacturing 77,000 Owned
and Distribution
Carbondale, IL Administration 15,000 Owned
Murphysboro, IL Manufacturing 62,000 Owned
Murphysboro, IL Warehouse 30,000 Leased
(term-2003)
South Plainfield, NJ Manufacturing 68,000 Owned
South Plainfield, NJ Manufacturing and Distribution 60,000 Leased
(term-2006)


16


North Glenn, CO Administration 4,900 Leased
(term-2004)
Thornton, CO Manufacturing 72,000 Leased
(term-2006)
Anaheim, CA Manufacturing and Distribution 286,140 Leased
(term-2006)
Anaheim, CA Manufacturing 64,000 Leased
(term-2003)
Anaheim, CA Administration & Manufacturing 20,000 Owned
Lake Mary, FL Administration (term-2008) 10,850 Leased

UNITED KINGDOM:

Nuneaton Administration 9,300 Leased
(term-2012)
Burton Administration, Manufacturing 178,000 Owned
and Distribution

- --------------------

The property is subject to a first mortgage. For additional
information regarding the mortgage, see the Company's Consolidated
Financial Statements contained in this Report.



Warehousing and Distribution

The Company has dedicated approximately 1,200,000 square feet to
warehousing and distribution in its Long Island, NY; Carbondale, IL;
Murphysboro, IL; Reno, NV; Anaheim, CA; Thornton, CO; South Plainfield, NJ
and Burton, U.K. facilities.

The Company's warehouse and distribution centers are efficiently
integrated with the Company's order entry systems to enable the Company to
ship out mail orders typically within 24 hours of their receipt. Once a
customer's telephone, mail or Internet order is completed, the Company's
computer system forwards the order to the Company's distribution center,
where all necessary distribution and shipping documents are printed to
facilitate processing. Thereafter, the orders are prepared, picked, packed
and shipped continually throughout the day. The Company operates a
proprietary, state-of-the-art, automated picking and packing system for
frequently shipped items. The Company is capable of fulfilling 15,000
orders daily. A system of conveyors automatically routes boxes carrying
merchandise throughout the distribution center for fulfillment of orders.
Completed orders are bar-coded and scanned and the merchandise and ship
date are verified and entered automatically into the customer order file
for access by sales associates prior to being shipped. The Company
currently ships its mail orders primarily through the United Parcel
Service, Inc. (UPS), serving domestic and international markets.

The Company currently distributes its products from its distribution
centers through contract and common carriers in the U.S. and by Company-
owned trucks in both


17


the U.S. and the U.K. Deliveries are made directly to the Vitamin World(R)
and Nutrition Warehouse(R) stores once per week. In addition, the Company
ships products overseas by container loads. The Company also operates
additional distribution centers in Burton, U.K. Deliveries are made
directly to Company owned and operated Holland & Barrett(R) stores once or
twice per week, depending on the store's inventory requirements.

All of the Company's properties are covered by all-risk and liability
insurance, which the Company believes is customary for the industry.

Management believes that these properties, taken as a whole, are
generally well-maintained, and are adequate for current and reasonably
foreseeable business needs. Management also believes that substantially
all of the Company's properties are being utilized to a significant degree.

Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

A consolidated stockholder derivative action, which was filed in 2000
in the Chancery Court in Delaware against certain officers and directors of
the Company, was voluntarily dismissed in December 2002. The derivative
claim alleged that the named officers and directors failed to disclose
material facts during the period from January 27, 2000 to June 15, 2000,
which purportedly resulted in a decline in the price of the Company's stock
after June 15, 2000. A consolidated stockholder class action complaint,
which was filed in the Eastern District of New York in 2000, predicated on
the same allegations, was dismissed by that court on September 28, 2002,
and the case formally closed on October 31, 2002.

On July 25, 2002, a purported consumer class action was filed in New
York state court against several manufacturers and retailers of so-called
prohormone supplements including Vitamin World. Prohormones are
substitutes such as androstenedione that plaintiffs allege are hormone
precursors ingested to promote muscle growth. Plaintiffs allege that the
advertising and labeling of certain prohormone supplements overstate their
efficacy and do not fully disclose their risks, and seek class
certification and injunctive and monetary relief. The action was severed
into separate class actions against each of the defendants. On December 6,
2002, an amended class action complaint was filed against Vitamin World
that purported to elaborate on the claims initially alleged. The Company
believes that this action is without merit, and intends to move to dismiss
the amended pleading and to vigorously defend against the claims asserted.
However, because this action is in its early stages, no determination can
be made at this time as to the final outcome of this action.

On August 28, 2001, the Company was also named as a defendant, along
with other companies, in a purported class action commenced in an Alabama
state court. Plaintiffs allege that NBTY manufactured and marketed
misbranded nutrition bars and seek class certification, injunctive,
declaratory, and monetary relief. Class discovery is being taken, and a
hearing is currently scheduled for the spring of 2003 to determine whether
a class should be certified. NBTY is vigorously defending class
certification on the basis that the plaintiffs were not damaged as alleged
as a result of any action by NBTY. In addition, NBTY contends that this
matter is not appropriate for class


18


certification because the named plaintiffs are inadequate class
representatives and not typical of persons who purchased the nutrition bars
in these proceedings.

On October 3, 2002, the Company was named as a defendant in a second
purported class action commenced in the same Alabama state court as the
above-identified litigation. Plaintiffs, in an attempt to pursue several
retailers, including NBTY, and not manufacturers of nutrition bars, allege
that NBTY marketed misbranded nutrition bars. In November 2002, NBTY filed
a motion to dismiss or abate the lawsuit based on the principle that the
court lacks subject-matter jurisdiction because the earlier-filed lawsuit,
which seeks identical relief for the same purported class action against
the manufacturers, preempts this second attempt to certify a class against
NBTY.

The Company believes that both Alabama suits are without merit.
However, no determination can be made as of the date of this Report as to
the final outcome of these suits.

In addition to the foregoing, other claims, suits and complaints
arise in the ordinary course of the Company's business. The Company
believes that such other claims, suits and complaints would not have a
material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial condition
or results of operations, if adversely determined against the Company.

Item 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None.


19


PART II

Item 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

DIVIDEND POLICY

Since its incorporation in 1979, the Company has not paid any cash
dividends on its Common Stock. On April 24, 1992, the Company effected a
two-for-one stock split in the form of a 100% stock dividend to
stockholders of record on May 8, 1992. On September 25, 1992, the Company
effected a three-for-one stock split in the form of a 200% stock dividend
to stockholders of record on November 2, 1992. On August 3, 1993, the
Company effected a two-for-one stock split in the form of a 100% stock
dividend to stockholders of record on August 13, 1993. In addition, in
March 1998, the Company effected a three-for-one stock split in the form of
a 200% stock dividend.

Future determination as to the payment of cash or stock dividends
will depend upon the Company's results of operations, financial condition,
capital requirements, restrictions contained in the Company's Third Amended
and Restated Credit and Guarantee Agreement ("CGA"), limitations contained
in the indenture governing the 8 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 of
the Company, and such other factors as the Company's Board of Directors
considers appropriate.

The CGA prohibits the Company from paying dividends or making any
other distributions (other than dividends payable solely in shares of the
Company's common stock) to its stockholders. The Company's Indenture
governing its 8 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 also prohibits the
Company from paying dividends or making any other distributions to its
stockholders. In addition, except as specifically permitted in the CGA,
the CGA does not allow the Company's subsidiaries to advance or loan money
to, or make a capital contribution to or invest in, the Company.
Furthermore, except as expressly permitted in the Indenture, the Company's
subsidiaries are not permitted to invest in the Company. However, the CGA
and the Indenture do permit the Company's subsidiaries to pay dividends to
the Company.

For additional information regarding these lending arrangements and
securities, see Item 7. "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations-Liquidity and Capital Resources" and
the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Report.

PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK

The Common Stock is traded in the over-the-counter market and is
included for quotation on the National Association of Securities Dealers
National Market System ("NASDAQ/NMS")under the trading symbol "NBTY". The
following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low
closing sale prices for the Common Stock, as reported on NASDAQ/NMS:


20





Fiscal year ended September 30, 2002
------------------------------------

High Low
---- ---


First Quarter ended December 31, 2001 $13.50 $ 7.20

Second Quarter ended March 31, 2002 $17.45 $10.70

Third Quarter ended June 30, 2002 $19.07 $14.96

Fourth Quarter ended September 30, 2002 $17.07 $12.57



Fiscal year ended September 30, 2001
------------------------------------

High Low
---- ---
First Quarter ended December 31, 2000 $ 6.97 $ 3.94

Second Quarter ended March 31, 2001 $ 8.50 $ 4.38

Third Quarter ended June 30, 2001 $13.40 $ 8.00

Fourth Quarter ended September 30, 2001 $17.76 $10.55


On December 9, 2002, the closing sale price of the Common Stock was
$16.53. There were approximately 690 record holders of Common Stock as of
December 9, 2002. The Company believes that there were approximately 13,600
beneficial holders of Common Stock as of December 9, 2002.

For additional information regarding the Company's securities
authorized for issuance under the Company's equity compensation plans, see
Item 12. "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
and Related Stockholder Matters."

Item 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following table sets forth the selected financial data derived
from the audited financial statements of the Company. For additional
information, see the consolidated financial statements of the Company and
the notes thereto. The selected historical financial data of the Company
should also be read in conjunction with Item 7. "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations".


21





(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)

2002 2001 2000 1999 1998
---- ---- ---- ---- ----


Selected Income Statement Data:
Net sales $964,083 $806,898 $720,856 $630,894 $572,124
Costs & expenses:
Cost of sales 433,611 355,167 312,960 293,521 271,233
Catalog printing, postage & promotion 47,846 49,410 33,709 32,895 32,176
Selling, general & administrative 348,334 315,228 279,379 236,367 190,276
Recovery of raw material costs (21,354) (2,511)
Litigation settlement costs 4,952
Merger costs 3,528
------------------------------------------------------------
Income from operations 155,646 87,093 97,319 63,159 74,911
Interest, net (18,499) (21,958) (18,858) (18,945) (16,518)
Miscellaneous, net 1,560 2,748 4,491 1,388 3,921
------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes 138,707 67,883 82,952 45,602 62,314
Provision for income taxes 42,916 25,958 31,444 18,323 23,474
------------------------------------------------------------
Net income $ 95,791 $ 41,925 $ 51,508 $ 27,279 $ 38,840
============================================================
Per Share Data:
Net income per common share:
Basic $ 1.45 $ 0.64 $ 0.77 $ 0.39 $ 0.59
Diluted $ 1.41 $ 0.62 $ 0.74 $ 0.39 $ 0.56
Weighted average common shares
outstanding:
Basic 65,952 65,774 67,327 69,640 65,563
Diluted 67,829 67,125 69,318 70,826 69,847

Selected Balance Sheet Data:
Working capital $185,710 $131,108 $100,114 $121,103 $ 89,106
Total assets 734,677 708,462 603,613 539,384 500,457
Long-term debt, capital lease obligations
and promissory notes payable, less current
portion 163,874 237,236 200,478 219,508 173,531
Total stockholders' equity 419,257 302,406 272,443 223,949 230,339


Item 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements contained
herein should be read in conjunction with the Company's disclosures under
the heading "Forward Looking Statements" on page 1. This discussion should
also be read in conjunction with the Notes to the Company's Consolidated
Financial Statements contained in this Report. Dollar amounts are in
thousands, unless otherwise noted.

Background

NBTY is a leading vertically integrated manufacturer, marketer and
retailer of a broad line of high quality, value-priced nutritional
supplements. NBTY has continued to grow through its marketing practices and
through a series of strategic acquisitions. Since 1986, the Company has
acquired and integrated approximately 30 companies and/or


22


businesses engaged in the direct response, retail and manufacturing of
nutritional supplements sector, including Holland & Barrett in fiscal 1997,
Nutrition Headquarters Group in fiscal 1998, Nutrition Warehouse Group in
fiscal 2000, Global Health Sciences and NatureSmart in fiscal 2001, and
Healthcentral.com, Knox(R), and Synergy Plus(R) product lines/operations in
fiscal 2002.

NBTY markets its products through four distribution channels: (i)
Puritan's Pride/direct response, (ii) Vitamin World and Nutrition Warehouse
retail stores in the U.S., (iii) Holland & Barrett retail stores in the
U.K. and Ireland, and (iv) wholesale distribution to drug store chains,
supermarkets, discounters, independent pharmacies, and health food stores.
NBTY's net sales from Puritan's Pride/direct response, Vitamin World,
Nutrition Warehouse, Holland & Barrett and wholesale operations were
approximately 19%, 21%, 30% and 30%, respectively, for the year ended
September 30, 2002.

The Company recognizes revenues from products shipped when risk of
loss and title transfers to its customers, and with respect to its own
retail stores, upon the sale of products. Net sales are net of all
discounts, allowances, returns and credits. Cost of sales includes the cost
of raw materials and all labor and overhead associated with the
manufacturing and packaging of the products. Gross margins are affected by,
among other things, changes in the relative sales mix among the Company's
four distribution channels. Historically, gross margins from the Company's
direct response/e-commerce and retail sales have typically been higher than
gross margins from wholesale sales.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates:

Financial Reporting Release No. 60, which was recently released by
the Securities and Exchange Commission, requires all companies to include a
discussion of critical accounting policies or methods used in the
preparation of financial statements. The preparation of financial
statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
reported amounts of assets, liabilities and disclosures of contingent
assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported
amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The most
significant estimates include the valuation of inventories, the allowance
for doubtful accounts receivable and the recoverability of long-lived
assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant
accounting policies are described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial
statements, which are included in Item 8 in this Form 10-K filing. Certain
accounting policies are deemed "critical", as they require management's
highest degree of judgment, estimates and assumptions. A discussion of
critical accounting policies, the judgments and uncertainties affecting
their application, and the likelihood that materially different amounts
could be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions
follows:

Revenue Recognition:

The Company applies the provisions of Staff Accounting Bulletin 101
"Revenue Recognition". The Company recognizes revenue from products
shipped when title and risk of loss has passed to its customers, and
with respect to its own retail store operations, upon sale of
products. The Company's net sales represent gross


23


sales invoiced to customers, less certain related charges, including
discounts, returns, rebates and other allowances.

Accounts Receivable:

The Company performs on-going credit evaluations of its customers and
adjusts credit limits based upon payment history and the customer's
current credit worthiness, as determined by the review of their
current credit information. Collections and payments from customers
are continuously monitored and an allowance for doubtful accounts is
maintained which is based upon historical experience and any specific
customer collection issues that have been identified. While such bad
debt expenses have historically been within expectations and
allowances established, the Company cannot guarantee that it will
continue to experience the same credit loss rates that it has in the
past. At September 30, 2002, and September 30, 2001, one customer
accounted for 21% and 16%, respectively, of the Company's accounts
receivable.

Inventories:

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The cost
elements of inventory include materials, labor and overhead. The
Company regularly reviews inventory quantities on hand and records a
provision for excess and obsolete inventory based primarily on
estimated forecasts of product demand and production requirements for
the next twelve months.

Goodwill and Intangible assets:

On October 1, 2001, the Company adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 142 "Goodwill and Intangible Assets" (SFAS
142). SFAS 142 includes requirements to annually test goodwill and
indefinite lived intangible assets for impairment rather than
amortize them; accordingly, the Company no longer amortizes goodwill
and indefinite lived intangibles, thereby eliminating an annual
amortization charge of approximately $6,100, which is not deductible
for tax purposes. Definite lived intangibles are amortized on a
straight-line basis over periods not exceeding 15 years.

Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the fair value
of identifiable net assets of companies acquired. The Company
currently has unamortized goodwill remaining from the acquisition of
Holland & Barrett ($113,089), NatureSmart ($15,164), Nutrition
Warehouse ($7,510), Nature's Way ($4,234), Feeling Fine ($3,069),
Global Health Sciences ($1,640), and other ($293).

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets:

The Company follows the provisions of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment
of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of." This
statement requires that certain assets be reviewed for impairment
and, if impaired, remeasured at fair


24


value whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the
carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. During fiscal
2002 and 2001, the Company recognized impairment losses of $700 and
$500, respectively, on assets to be held and used. The Company did
not recognize an impairment loss during fiscal 2000. The impairment
losses related primarily to leasehold improvements and furniture and
fixtures for retail operations and were recorded in selling, general
and administrative expense.

In August 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS
No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations," and SFAS No.
144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived
Assets." SFAS No. 143 addresses financial accounting and reporting
for obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived
assets and the associated asset retirement costs. SFAS No. 144
supersedes FASB Statement No. 121, and addresses financial accounting
and reporting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets.
The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 143 and 144,
effective October 1, 2002, to have a material impact on its
consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Foreign Currency:

Foreign subsidiaries account for approximately 30% of net revenues,
31% of assets and 13% of total liabilities as of September 30, 2002.

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the financial
statements of the foreign subsidiaries are translated from the
currency in which they keep their accounting records, generally the
local currency, into United States Dollars. This process results in
exchange gains and losses, which, under the relevant accounting
guidance, are either included within the statement of operations or
as a separate component of stockholders' equity under the caption
"Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)."

Under the relevant accounting guidance, the treatment of these
translation gains or losses is dependent upon management's
determination of the functional currency of each subsidiary. The
functional currency is determined based on management's judgment and
involves consideration of all relevant economic facts and
circumstances affecting the subsidiary. Generally, the currency in
which the subsidiary transacts a majority of its transactions,
including billings, financing, payroll and other expenditures would
be considered the functional currency but any dependency upon the
parent and the nature of the subsidiary's operations must also be
considered.

If any subsidiary's functional currency is deemed to be the local
currency, then any gain or loss associated with the translation of
that subsidiary's financial statements is included in accumulated
other comprehensive income (loss). However, if the functional
currency is deemed to be the United States Dollar, then any gain or
loss associated with the translation of these financial statements
would be included within the statement of operations. If the Company
disposes of


25


subsidiaries, then any cumulative translation gains or losses would
be recorded into the statement of operations. If the Company
determines that there has been a change in the functional currency of
a subsidiary to the United States Dollar, any translation gains or
losses arising after the date of change would be included within the
statement of operations.

Based on an assessment of the factors discussed above, the Company
considers the relevant subsidiary's local currency to be the
functional currency for each of its foreign subsidiaries.
Accordingly, cumulative translation gains (losses) of approximately
$4,625 and ($12,978) were included as part of accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss) within the balance sheet at September 30,
2002 and September 30, 2001, respectively. During the fiscal years of
2002 and 2001, translation gains (losses) of $17,603 and ($126),
respectively, were included under accumulated other comprehensive
income (loss). Had the Company determined that the functional
currency of its subsidiaries was the United States dollar, these
gains (losses) would have increased (reduced) net income for each of
the periods presented.

The magnitude of these gains or losses is dependent upon movements in
the exchange rates of the foreign currencies against the United
States dollar. These currencies include the Euro and the United
Kingdom Pound Sterling. Any future translation gains or losses could
be significantly higher than those noted in each of these years. In
addition, if a change in the functional currency of a foreign
subsidiary has occurred at any point in time, then the Company would
be required to include any translation gains or losses from the date
of change in the statement of operations.

General

Operating results in all periods presented reflect the impact of
acquisitions. The timing of those acquisitions and the changing mix of
businesses as acquired companies are integrated into the Company may affect
the comparability of results from one period to another.


26


Results of Operations

The following table sets forth income statement data of the Company
as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated:




Fiscal years
Ended September 30,
----------------------------
2002 2001 2000
---- ---- ----


Net sales 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
---------------------------

Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales 45.0% 44.0% 43.3%
Catalog printing, postage and promotion 5.0% 6.1% 4.7%
Selling, general and administrative 36.1% 39.1% 38.8%
Recovery of raw material costs -2.2% -0.3%
---------------------------

83.9% 89.2% 86.5%
---------------------------

Income from operations 16.1% 10.8% 13.5%
---------------------------
Other income (expense):
Interest -1.9% -2.7% -2.6%
Miscellaneous, net 0.2% 0.3% 0.6%
---------------------------

-1.7% -2.4% -2.0%
---------------------------

Income before income taxes 14.4% 8.4% 11.5%

Income taxes 4.5% 3.2% 4.4%
---------------------------
Net income 9.9% 5.2% 7.1%
===========================


Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2002 Compared to Year Ended September 30,
2001

Net Sales. Net sales for fiscal 2002 were $964,083, an increase of
$157,185 or 19.5% compared with net sales of $806,898 in fiscal 2001. Of
the $157,185 increase, $94,455 was attributable to wholesale, $23,615 was
attributable to US retail sales, $28,005 was attributable to U.K./Ireland
retail sales, and $11,110 was attributable to Puritan's Pride direct
response/e-commerce. The increase in wholesale segment sales was primarily
due to an increase in sales of its core products to the mass market, drug
chains and supermarkets and newly acquired businesses ($39,489, of which
$35,522 was attributable to Global Health Sciences). Products such as Apple
Cider Vinegar, Flex-a-min(R), and the Knox NutraJoint(R) products continue
to help the Company strengthen its leading market position. By obtaining
new customer accounts, the Company has expanded its distribution channel
for its products. Sales growth in the US retail channel reflected an
increase in same store sales for stores open more than one year (8.5% or


27


$13,485) and the greater number of stores compared to last year (24 new
stores contributed $4,001). U.K./Ireland retail sales increases were
attributable to an increase in same store sales for stores open more than
one year (7% or $18,035) and the opening of 7 new U.K. stores (contributed
$1,056). Puritan's Pride direct response/e-commerce sales increased as a
result of increased mailing distribution from customer lists acquired and
as a result of an increase in the number of products available via catalog
and website. At September 30, 2002, 544 retail stores in the U.S. and 468
retail stores in the U.K./Ireland were operated under the NBTY/Holland &
Barrett banner, compared to 525 stores in the U.S. and 461 in the
U.K./Ireland as of September 30, 2001.

Cost of Sales. Cost of sales for fiscal 2002 was $433,611, an
increase of $78,444 compared with the cost of sales of $355,167 for fiscal
2001. As a percentage of sales, cost of sales increased and,
correspondingly, gross profit decreased to 55% for 2002 from 56% for 2001.
Such decrease was primarily due to the Puritan's Pride direct response
segment's gross profit, which decreased from 66.3% to 61.5% as a percentage
of sales. Reduced gross margins associated with price reductions on
certain products and the type of catalog promotions the Company ran in
fiscal 2002 versus fiscal 2001 were major factors in such decrease. This
gross profit decrease was mitigated by gross profit increases in the
Company's other segments. The wholesale segment's gross profit increased
from 38.7% to 40.8% as a percentage of sales, primarily due to higher gross
margins on new product introductions. The U.S. retail gross profit
increased as a percentage of sales from 58% to 58.5%. The U.K./Ireland
retail gross profit increased from 60.8% to 62.9% as a percentage of sales.
The Company's strategy is to improve margins by continuing to increase in-
house manufacturing while decreasing the use of outside suppliers in both
the U.S. and the U.K. In fiscal 2001, cost of sales included a year end
adjustment to inventory of approximately $3,900, which was principally the
result of the Company utilizing the gross profit method for interim
reporting, and the year-end valuation of the Company's annual physical
inventory. Included in fiscal 2002 and fiscal 2001 costs of sales was
under-absorbed factory overhead of $11,375 and $5,752, respectively.

Catalog, Printing, Postage and Promotion. Catalog, printing, postage
and promotion expenses were $47,846 and $49,410 for fiscal 2002 and 2001,
respectively. Such costs as a percentage of net sales were 5% for 2002 and
6.1% for 2001. The $1,564 decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease
in direct response advertising promotion and media ($1,080) and catalog
printing ($1,183). Such decrease was offset by an increase in wholesale
advertising for new products introduced and existing core products ($603).
The Company also had a small increase in retail advertising and promotion
($51).

Selling, General and Administrative. Selling, general and
administrative expenses for fiscal 2002 were $348,334, an increase of
$33,106, compared with $315,228 for fiscal 2001. As a percentage of sales,
selling, general and administrative expenses were 36.1% and 39.1% in 2002
and 2001, respectively. Of the $33,106 increase, $4,489 was attributable to
increase in rent expense, $14,880 to increase in payroll costs mainly
associated with business acquisitions and the Vitamin World expansion
program, $5,871 to increased insurance costs mainly associated with an
increase in general insurance rates, $4,186 to increased freight and $3,418
to increased broker commissions, which was


28


directly associated with the increase in wholesale sales, and $1,259 was
attributable to increased depreciation expense as a result of an increase
in capital expenditures. Such expenses were offset by a $5,624 decrease in
selling, general, and administrative goodwill amortization expense
resulting from the Company's adoption of SFAS 142, effective October 1,
2001.

Recovery of Raw Materials Costs. In fiscal 2002, the Company received
$21,354 in partial settlement of ongoing price fixing litigation brought by
the Company against certain raw material vitamin suppliers.

Interest Expense. Interest expense was $18,499 in fiscal 2002, a
decrease of $3,459, compared with interest expense of $21,958 in fiscal
2001. Interest expense decreased due to the Company repaying bank debt
during the year. The major components are interest on Senior Subordinated
Notes associated with the Holland & Barrett acquisition, and the CGA used
for acquisitions and capital expenditures.

Miscellaneous, Net. Miscellaneous, net was $1,560 and $2,748 for
fiscal 2002 and 2001, respectively. The $1,188 decrease was primarily
attributable to exchange rate fluctuations ($1,074).

Income Taxes. The Company's income tax expense is impacted by a
number of factors, including the amount of taxable earnings derived in
foreign jurisdictions with tax rates that are lower than the federal
statutory rate, state tax rates in the jurisdictions where the Company
conducts business, and the Company's ability to utilize various tax credits
and foreign tax credits. The effective income tax rate for fiscal 2002 was
30.9%, compared to 38.2% for fiscal 2001. The change in the effective rate
was due to tax saving strategies implemented in fiscal 2002, primarily the
one-time recognition of a foreign tax credit. In addition, the effective
rate decreased due to ceasing the amortization of goodwill in fiscal 2002,
most of which was not deductible for income tax purposes, and lower overall
effective tax rates in foreign jurisdictions (approximately 30%).

Net Income. Net income for fiscal 2002 was $95,791, compared with
$41,925 in fiscal 2001, an increase of $53,866, of which $21,354 was
attributable to the partial settlement of ongoing price fixing litigation
against certain raw material vitamin suppliers.


Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2001 Compared to Year Ended September 30,
2000


Net Sales. Net sales for fiscal 2001 were $806,898, an increase of
$86,042 or 11.9% compared with net sales of $720,856 in fiscal 2000. Of the
$86,042 increase, $25,932 was attributable to U.S. retail sales, $14,274
was attributable to U.K./Ireland retail sales, and $56,326 was attributable
to wholesale, offset by a decrease of $10,490 in Puritan's Pride direct
response/e-commerce. During 2001, the Company opened 50 stores, which
contributed $8,393 in increased sales in the U.S., and 26 stores in the
U.K., which contributed $2,294 in sales. The acquisition of Global Health
Sciences and NatureSmart accounted for $29,415 of the increase in sales.


29


Cost of Sales. Cost of sales for fiscal 2001 was $355,167, an
increase of $42,207 compared with the cost of sales of $312,960 for fiscal
2000. As a percentage of sales, cost of sales increased and,
correspondingly, gross profit decreased to 56% for 2001 from 56.7% for
2000. Such decrease was primarily due to Global Health Sciences' cost of
sales of $18,017 on sales of $16,765. The increase was mitigated by a
decrease in the Puritan's Pride direct response/e-commerce segment's cost
of sales, which decreased from 36.4% to 33.7% as a percentage of sales,
primarily due to higher gross margins on new product introductions and
improvements in manufacturing efficiencies. The increase was also
mitigated by the U.S. retail segment's cost of sales decreasing as a
percentage of sales from 43% to 41.6%, primarily due to sales price
increases on all product lines during the current year. The Company's
strategy is to continue to increase in-house manufacturing while decreasing
the use of outside suppliers in both the U.S. and the U.K. In addition,
cost of sales includes a year end adjustment to inventory of approximately
$3,900 for 2001 and $5,400 for 2000, which is principally the result of the
Company utilizing the gross profit method for interim reporting, and the
year-end valuation of the Company's annual physical inventory.

Catalog, Printing, Postage and Promotion. Catalog, printing, postage
and promotion expenses were $49,410 and $33,709 for fiscal 2001 and 2000,
respectively. Such costs as a percentage of net sales were 6.1% for 2001
and 4.7% for 2000. The increased percentage was due to an increase in
printing and mailing costs per catalog, resulting from an increase in
postage costs, and the change to a larger catalog order size and for radio
and television advertisements relating to the Flex-a-min(R) advertising
campaign.

Selling, General and Administrative. Selling, general and
administrative expenses for fiscal 2001 were $315,228, an increase of
$35,849, compared with $279,379 for fiscal 2000. As a percentage of sales,
selling, general and administrative expenses were 39.1% and 38.8% in 2001
and 2000, respectively. Of the $35,849 increase, $6,846 was attributable to
rent expense, $18,814 to payroll costs mainly associated with the Vitamin
World expansion program and $4,386 was attributable to increased
depreciation expense as a result of an increase in capital expenditures.

Recovery of raw materials costs. In fiscal 2000, the Company received
$2,511 in partial settlement of ongoing price fixing litigation brought by
the Company against certain raw material vitamin suppliers.

Interest Expense. Interest expense was $21,958 in fiscal 2001, an
increase of $3,100, compared with net interest expense of $18,858 million
in fiscal 2000. Interest expense increased due to the additional
borrowings to fund the two acquisitions completed in the third quarter of
2001. The major components are interest on Senior Subordinated Notes
associated with the Holland & Barrett acquisition, and the CGA Agreement
used for acquisitions and capital expenditures.

Miscellaneous, Net. Miscellaneous, net was $2,748 and $4,491 for
fiscal 2001 and 2000, respectively. The $1,743 decrease was primarily
attributable to exchange rate


30


fluctuations ($897), and a gain on disposal of certain businesses and
related fixed assets ($577) in 2000.

Income Taxes. The Company's effective income tax rate was
approximately 38% for fiscal years 2001 and 2000.

Net Income. Net income for fiscal 2001 was $41,925, compared with
$51,508 in fiscal 2000, a decrease of $9,583.

Seasonality

The Company's business is not seasonal in nature.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company's primary sources of liquidity and capital resources are
cash generated from operations and borrowings under its Credit & Guarantee
Agreement ("CGA"). Cash and cash equivalents totaled $26,229 and $34,434
at September 30, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The Company generated cash
from operating activities of $103,531, $62,785, and $123,418 in fiscal
2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively. The overall increase in cash from
operating activities during fiscal 2002 was mainly attributable to an
increase in earnings. The increase in earnings was a result of increased
sales, continued effort to control selling, general and administrative
expenses, the recovery of raw material costs, lower interest expense due to
the pay down of debt, and a decrease in income tax expense as a result of
tax planning strategies implemented during the current year. Such increase
was offset slightly by the Company experiencing an increase in its accounts
receivable and inventory levels over the prior year. The increase in
accounts receivable was primarily due to increased sales, offset by an
increase in collections. Inventory increased due to the Company trying to
respond to customer orders quickly, thereby eliminating and/or decreasing
the number of products on backorder. For additional information regarding
the ability of the Company's subsidiaries to transfer funds or assets to
the Company, see Item 5. "Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related
Stockholder Matters" above.

The overall decline in cash from operating activities during fiscal
2001 was attributable to a significant increase in inventories, accounts
receivable and deferred tax assets, which were offset by an increase in
non-cash charges for depreciation and amortization, and an increase in
accounts payable.

Cash used in investing activities was $36,376, $96,134, and $96,649
in fiscal 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively. Fiscal 2002 cash flows used in
investing activities consisted primarily of the purchase of property, plant
and equipment ($21,489), cash paid for asset acquisitions ($7,702), offset
by proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and intangibles
($1,057). In addition, the Company made a strategic investment in high
yield, less than investment grade corporate bonds ($8,242). There is only a
thinly traded market for such securities and recent market ratings of such
debt are Caa2 from Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and CCC- from Standard &
Poor's. Both credit agencies' ratings remained unchanged from the prior
period. Market quotes may


31


not represent firm bids of such dealers or prices for actual sales. The
estimated fair value for these debt securities at September 30, 2002 was
$8,194.

Cash used in investing activities in fiscal 2001 primarily related to
the cash paid for the business acquisitions of Global Health Sciences and
NatureSmart ($63,010), and the purchase of property, plant and equipment
($37,197), offset by proceeds from the sale of property, plant and
equipment ($4,232). Fiscal 2000 net cash used in investing activities
consisted primarily of cash paid for business acquisitions and a mailing
list and the purchase of property and equipment. Net cash paid for
business acquisitions/mailing list and property, plant and equipment in
fiscal 2000 were ($51,786) and ($45,119), respectively.

Cash (used in) provided by financing activities was ($78,854),
$35,627 and ($11,971) in fiscal 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively. Fiscal
2002 net cash flows used in financing activities included principal
payments under long-term debt agreements ($85,353), offset by proceeds from
the exercise of stock options ($1,899), and cash received that was
previously held in escrow for the acquisition of Global Health Sciences
($4,600). Net cash provided by financing activities during fiscal 2001
included borrowings under the CGA of $71,502, proceeds from the exercise of
stock options of $2,604, which were offset by principal payments under
long-term debt agreements ($12,780), purchase of treasury stock ($15,699)
and cash held in escrow ($10,000). Net cash used in financing activities
during fiscal 2000 included principal payments under long-term debt
agreements ($17,667) and the purchase of treasury stock ($1,512) offset by
borrowings under the CGA ($2,800) and proceeds from the exercise of stock
options ($4,408).

The Company's financial position continues to be solid. Working
capital increased $54,602 to $185,710 in fiscal 2002. This increase was
primarily attributable to the Company repaying its bank debt under the CGA
and increasing its current assets, specifically accounts receivable and
inventories. Continued growth of the Company's principal promoted
products during the period, as noted above, contributed to such increases
in accounts receivable and inventories. Presently, the CGA is comprised
of one term loan and a revolving credit facility. At September 30, 2002,
there were borrowings of $31,188 under the term loan. This term loan has
an annual borrowing rate of 4.422% and is payable in quarterly
installments of $5,563. The current portion of this term loan at September
30, 2002 was $22,250. The Company repaid the other term loan during the
third quarter 2002. The $50,000 revolving credit facility expires on
September 30, 2003 and was unused at September 30, 2002. A stand-by
letter of credit of $600 was outstanding under such facility at September
30, 2002. The Company is required to pay a commitment fee, which varies
between .25% and .50% per annum, depending on the Company's ratio of Debt
to EBITDA (each as defined in the CGA), on any unused portion of the
revolving credit facility. The CGA provides that loans be made under a
selection of rate formulas, including prime or Euro currency rates.
Virtually all of the Company's assets are collateralized under the CGA.
In addition, the Company is subject to the maintenance of various
financial ratios and covenants.

In connection with the August 1997 acquisition of Holland & Barrett,
the Company issued $150,000 of 8-5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes (the
"Notes") due in


32


2007. The Notes are unsecured and subordinated in right of payment to all
existing and future senior indebtedness of the Company. Interest expense
relating to such debt during fiscal 2002 amounted to $13,819.

A summary of contractual cash obligations as of September 30, 2002
is as follows:




Payments Due By Period
-------------------------------------------------------------
Less Than 1-3 4-5 After 5
Total 1 Year Years Years Years
----- --------- ----- ----- -------


Long-term debt $186,676 $ 22,806 $ 10,193 $150,849 $ 2,828
Operating leases 351,422 52,173 89,089 73,306 136,854
Purchase commitments 13,304 13,304
Capital commitments 16,544 12,594 3,950
Employment & consulting agreements 6,650 1,970 2,340 2,340
Standby letter of credit 600 600
Capital leases 242 238 4
-------------------------------------------------------------
Total contractual cash obligations $575,438 $103,685 $105,576 $226,495 $139,682
=============================================================


The Company conducts retail operations under operating leases, which
expire at various dates through 2029. Some of the leases contain renewal
options and provide for contingent rent based upon sales plus certain tax
and maintenance costs. Future minimum rental payments (excluding real
estate tax and maintenance costs) for retail locations and other leases
that have initial or noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year at
September 30, 2002 are noted in the above table.

The Company was committed to make future purchases under various
purchase arrangements with fixed price provisions aggregating approximately
$13,304 at September 30, 2002.

The Company had approximately $744 in open capital commitments at
September 30, 2002, primarily related to manufacturing equipment as well as
to computer hardware and software. Also, the Company has a $15,800
commitment for the construction of an automated warehouse over the next 18
months.

The Company has employment agreements with two of its executive
officers. The agreements, initially entered into in October 2002, have a
term of 5 years and are automatically renewed each year thereafter unless
either party notifies the other to the contrary. These agreements provide
for minimum salary levels and contain provisions regarding severance and
changes in control of the Company. The annual commitment for salaries to
these two officers as of September 30, 2002 was approximately $1,170. In
addition, four members of Holland & Barrett's senior executive staff have
service contracts terminable by the Company upon twelve months notice. The
annual aggregate commitment for such H&B executive staff as of September
30, 2002 was approximately $700.


33


The Company maintains a consulting agreement with Rudolph Management
Associates, Inc. for the services of Arthur Rudolph, a director of the
Company. See "Related Party Transactions" below for further discussion of
such agreement.

The Company believes that existing cash balances, internally-
generated funds from operations, and amounts available under the CGA will
provide sufficient liquidity to satisfy the Company's required interest
payments, working capital needs for the next 12 months and to finance
anticipated capital expenditures incurred in the normal course of business
and potential acquisitions.

NBTY has grown through acquisitions, and expects to continue seeking
to acquire entities in similar or complementary businesses. Such
acquisitions are likely to require the incurrence and/or assumption of
indebtedness and/or obligations, the issuance of equity securities or some
combination thereof. In addition, NBTY may from time to time determine to
sell or otherwise dispose of certain of its existing businesses. NBTY
cannot predict if any such transactions will be consummated, nor the terms
or forms of consideration which might be required in any such transactions.

Related Party Transactions

The Company has had, and in the future may continue to have, business
transactions with individuals and firms affiliated with certain of the
Company's directors. Each such transaction has been in the ordinary course
of the Company's business.

During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2002, the following
transactions occurred:

A. Gail Radvin, Inc., a corporation wholly-owned by Gail Radvin,
received commissions from the Company totaling approximately
$585 on account of sales in certain foreign countries and had
trade receivable balances of approximately $3,632 as of
September 30, 2002. Gail Radvin is the sister of Arthur
Rudolph (a director of the Company) and the aunt of Scott
Rudolph (Chairman and Chief Executive Officer).

B. The Company paid $400 to Rudolph Management Associates, Inc.,
pursuant to the Consulting Agreement between the Company and
Rudolph Management Associates, Inc. Mr. Arthur Rudolph, a
director of the Company, is the President of Rudolph Management
Associates, Inc. See "Employment Agreements with Executive
Officers and Directors" below.

C. Glenn-Scott Landscaping & Design, a company owned by the
brother of Glenn Cohen, a director of the Company, performed
landscaping and maintenance on the Company's properties and
received approximately $93 in compensation during fiscal 2002.

D. Certain members of the immediate families (as defined in Rule
404 of Regulation S-K) of Arthur Rudolph, Scott Rudolph and
Michael Slade


34


(each a director of the Company) are employed by the Company.
During fiscal 2002, these immediate family members received
aggregate compensation from the Company totaling approximately
$937 for services rendered by them as employees of the Company.

Inflation

Inflation has not had a significant impact on the Company in the past
three years nor is it expected to have a significant impact in the
foreseeable future.

Financial Covenants and Credit Rating

The Company's credit arrangements impose certain restrictions on the
Company regarding capital expenditures and limit the Company's ability to:
incur additional indebtedness, dispose of assets, make repayments of
indebtedness or amendments of debt instruments, pay distributions, create
liens on assets and enter into sale and leaseback transactions,
investments, loans or advances and acquisitions. Such restrictions could
limit the Company's ability to respond to market conditions, to provide for
unanticipated capital investments or to take advantage of business or
acquisition opportunities.

Moody's Investors Service, Inc. currently rates the Notes as a B1,
and the CGA has an implied rating of Ba2. Standard & Poor's currently
rates the Notes as a B+, the CGA as a BB+, and gives the Company an overall
corporate credit rating as BB. Both credit agencies' ratings remained
unchanged from the prior period.

New Accounting Developments

In February 2002, the Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") reached a
consensus on Issue No. 01-09, "Accounting for Consideration Given by a
Vendor to a Customer (Including a Reseller of the Vendor's Products)"
effective no later than periods beginning after December 15, 2001. EITF
Issue No. 01-09 addresses the following items:

1) The income statement characterization of consideration given by
a vendor to a customer, specifically whether that consideration
should be presented in the vendor's income statement as a reduction
of revenue or as a cost or expense.
2) Whether a vendor should recognize consideration given to a
customer as an asset in certain circumstances rather than as an
immediate charge in the income statement.
3) When to recognize the "cost" of a sales incentive and how to
measure it.

The Company has determined that the impact of adoption and subsequent
application of EITF Issue No. 01-09 did not have a material effect on its
consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In April 2002, the FASB issued Statement No. 145, "Rescission of FASB
Statements No. 4, 44 and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and
Technical Corrections." Under SFAS 145, gains and losses on extinguishments
of debt are to be classified as income or loss from continuing operations
rather than extraordinary items.


35


Adoption of this statement is required for fiscal years beginning after May
15, 2002. The Company does not expect the adoption of this statement to
have a material impact on its consolidated financial position or results of
operations.

In July 2002, the FASB issued Statement 146, "Accounting for Costs
Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities," which addresses financial
accounting and reporting for costs associated with exit or disposal
activities. SFAS 146 requires that a liability for a cost associated with
an exit or disposal activity be recognized when the liability is incurred.
This Statement also establishes that fair value is the objective for
initial measurement of the liability. Severance pay under SFAS 146, in many
cases, would be recognized over time rather than up front. The provisions
of this Statement are effective for exit or disposal activities that are
initiated after December 31, 2002, with early application encouraged.


Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company is subject to currency fluctuations, primarily with
respect to the British Pound, and interest rate risks that arise from
normal business operations. The Company regularly assesses these risks.
As of September 30, 2002, the Company had not entered into any hedging
transactions.

To manage the potential loss arising from changing interest rates and
its impact on long-term debt, the Company's policy is to manage interest
rate risks by maintaining a combination of fixed and variable rate
financial instruments.


Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The following consolidated financial statements, notes thereto,
supplementary schedule, and the related independent auditors' report
contained on page F-1 to NBTY's consolidated financial statements, are
herein incorporated:

Consolidated Balance Sheets - As of September 30, 2002 and 2001

Consolidated Statements of Income - Fiscal years ended September 30,
2002, 2001 and 2000

Consolidated Statements of Shareholder's Equity and Comprehensive
Income - Fiscal years ended September 30, 2002, 2001 and 2000.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Fiscal years ended September
30, 2002, 2001 and 2000.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


36


All other schedules have been omitted as not required or not
applicable or because the information required to be presented is included
in the consolidated financial statements and related notes.

For more information, see Part IV, Item 15, Exhibits, below.

Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.


37


PART III

Item 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The directors and executive officers of NBTY, all of whom are U.S.
citizens, and their ages as of December 9, 2002, are as follows:




Year Commenced
first term of
elected office as
Name Age Position Director Officer
---- --- -------- -------- ---------


Scott Rudolph 45 Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer 1986 1986

Harvey Kamil 58 President and Chief Financial
Officer - 1982

Michael C. Slade 53 Senior Vice President
Director and Corporate Secretary 1998 1999

James P. Flaherty 45 Senior Vice President-Marketing
and Advertising - 1988

William J. Shanahan 44 Vice President-Information
Systems - 1988

Arthur Rudolph 74 Director 1979 -

Aram G. Garabedian 67 Director 1979 -

Bernard G. Owen 74 Director 1979 -

Alfred Sacks 75 Director 1979 -

Murray Daly 75 Director 1979 -

Glenn Cohen 43 Director 1988 -

Nathan Rosenblatt 46 Director 1994 -

Michael L. Ashner 50 Director 1998 -

Peter J.White 48 Director 2001 -


Certain information regarding each person listed above, including
such person's principal occupation during the past five years and current
directorships, is set forth below. Unless indicated otherwise, all
directors and executive officers have had the indicated principal
occupations for the past five years.

Scott Rudolph is the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief
Executive Officer and a more than 5% stockholder of the Company. He served
as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dowling College, Long Island,
New York, from 1997 through


38


2000, and is currently the Vice Chairman of Dowling College Board. He
joined the Company in 1986. He is the son of Arthur Rudolph.

Harvey Kamil is the President and Chief Financial Officer of the
Company. He is on the Board of Directors of the Council for Responsible
Nutrition and is on the Board of Directors of the National Nutritional Food
Association. He joined the Company in 1982.

Michael C. Slade is the Senior Vice President, Director and Corporate
Secretary of the Company. He previously was an owner and Chief Executive
Officer of Nutrition Headquarters, Inc. and Nutro Laboratories, Inc. before
their acquisition by the Company in 1998. Mr. Slade is a member of the
Board of Trustees of North Shore-LIJ Health System and Franklin Hospital.
He is also a member of the Board of Directors of North Shore - LIJ Research
Institute.

James P. Flaherty is the Senior Vice President-Marketing and
Advertising. He joined the Company in 1979.

William J. Shanahan is the Vice President-Information Systems. He
joined the Company in 1980.

Arthur Rudolph founded Arco Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the Company's
predecessor, in 1960 and founded the Company in 1979. He served as the
Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors
since that date until his resignation in September 1993. He remains a
member of the Board of Directors and is a consultant to the Company. He is
the father of Scott Rudolph.

Aram G. Garabedian was elected a State Senator of the State of Rhode
Island in 2000 and had been a representative in that State's legislature
from 1972 through 1978, and 1998 through 2000. Since 1988, he has been a
real estate property manager and developer in Rhode Island and is the
President of Bliss Properties, Inc. He was associated with the Company and
its predecessor, Arco Pharmaceuticals, Inc., for more than 20 years in a
sales capacity and as an officer.

Bernard G. Owen is retired, having been previously associated with
Cafiero, Cuchel and Owen Insurance Agency, Pitkin, Owen Insurance Agency
and Wood-HEW Travel Agency.

Alfred Sacks has been President of Al Sacks, Inc., an insurance
consulting firm, for the past 40 years.

Murray Daly, formerly a Vice President of J. P. Egan Office Equipment
Co., is a consultant to the office equipment industry.

Glenn Cohen is the President of Save-On Sprinkler Co.

Nathan Rosenblatt is the President and Chief Executive Officer of
Ashland Maintenance Corp., a commercial maintenance organization located in
Long Island City, New York.


39


Michael L. Ashner is President and Chief Executive Officer of
Winthrop Financial Associates, a real estate investment banking firm
affiliated with Apollo Real Estate, since 1995. Mr. Ashner serves on the
Board of Directors of Shelbourne Properties I, Shelbourne Properties II,
Shelbourne Properties III and Greate Bay Hotel and Casino, Inc.

Peter J. White is President of I.J. White Corporation, a company
based in Farmingdale, New York, engaged in the worldwide engineering and
manufacturing of conveying systems for the food industry.

The directors of the Company are divided into three classes,
designated as Class I, Class II and Class III. Each class consists, as
nearly as possible, of one third of the total number of directors
constituting the entire Board of Directors. After their initial term, the
directors of each class serve for a term of three years and until their
successors are elected and qualified and subject to prior death,
resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal. Currently, the Class
I directors are Messrs. Garabedian, Owen and Sacks; the Class II directors
are Messrs. Scott Rudolph, Daly, Rosenblatt and White; and the Class III
directors are Messrs. Arthur Rudolph, Cohen, Ashner and Slade. The current
terms of the Class I, Class II and Class III directors expire at the annual
meetings of the Company's stockholders in 2003, 2005, and 2004,
respectively. At each annual meeting of stockholders, successors to the
class of directors whose term expires at that annual meeting shall be
elected for a three-year term. If the number of directors is changed, any
increase or decrease shall be apportioned among the classes so as to
maintain the number of directors in each class as nearly equal as possible,
and any additional directors of any class elected to fill a vacancy
resulting from an increase in such class shall hold office for a term that
shall coincide with the remaining term of that class, but in no case will a
decrease in the number of directors shorten the term of any incumbent
director.

The term of office of each executive officer is until the
organizational meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company following
the next annual meeting of the Company's stockholders and until such
officer's successor is elected and qualified or until such officer's prior
death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.

Compensation of Directors

Directors of the Company who are also executive officers of the
Company or its subsidiaries do not receive any additional compensation for
service as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company or any of its
committees. For information relating to compensation of the Company's
management directors, see "Employment Agreements with Executive Officers
and Directors" below.

All other directors of the Company are paid an annual fee of $30,000
for serving on the Board of Directors. See also "Employment Agreements with
Executive Officers and Directors" below for a discussion of the Company's
consulting agreement with Rudolph Management Associates, Inc. for the
services of Arthur Rudolph.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance


40


Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, requires NBTY's directors,
executive officers, and persons who own more than ten percent of NBTY's
Common Stock, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership on
Forms 3, 4 and 5 with the SEC and NASDAQ. Directors, executive officers
and greater than ten percent stockholders are required by the SEC
regulations to furnish NBTY with copies of all Forms 3, 4 and 5 they file
with the SEC.

Based solely on NBTY's review of the copies of the SEC filings it has
received, or written representations from certain reporting person that no
Form 5's were required for these persons, NBTY believes that all its
directors, executive officers and greater than ten percent beneficial
owners complied with all filing requirements applicable to them with
respect to fiscal 2002.

Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The following table sets forth information concerning compensation
paid by the Company in respect of fiscal years ended September 30, 2000,
2001 and 2002 to the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and to
each of the other four (4) most highly paid executive officers of the
Company (collectively, the "Named Executive Officers").

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE




Long Term
Compensation
Annual Compensation Awards
---------------------------------- ------------
Other Securities
Annual Underlying
Name and Fiscal Compen- Options/ All Other
Principal Position Year Salary($) Bonus($) sation($) SARs(#)(1) Compensation($)(2)
------------------ ------ --------- -------- --------- ------------ ------------------


Scott Rudolph 2002 710,197 600,000 (3) - 6,428
Chairman and 2001 634,024 500,000 (3) 500,000 6,748
Chief Executive Officer 2000 621,792 425,000 (3) 1,000,000 7,311

Harvey Kamil 2002 383,656 250,000 (3) - 6,440
President and 2001 317,012 225,000 (3) 125,000 6,741
Chief Financial Officer 2000 310,896 200,000 (3) 250,000 7,311

Michael C. Slade 2002 322,692 70,000 (3) - 6,428
Senior Vice President and 2001 306,346 50,000 (3) 70,000 6,741
Corporate Secretary 2000 291,341 50,000 (3) 30,000 7,311

James Flaherty - 2002 212,692 65,000 (3) - 3,740
Senior Vice President 2001 194,519 75,000 (3) - 4,841
Marketing and Advertising 2000 185,000 75,000 (3) 30,000 7,311

William Shanahan 2002 181,711 75,000 (3) - 6,428
Vice President - 2001 171,981 75,000 (3) - 6,748
Information Systems 2000 165,000 70,000 (3) 20,000 7,311


- --------------------


41


All stock option grants were made pursuant to the NBTY, Inc. Year
2000 Incentive Stock Option Plan (the "2000 Plan").
Represents amounts contributed by the Company to 401(k) plan and the
NBTY, Inc. Employees' Stock Ownership Plan on behalf of the Named
Executive Officer.
Perquisites and other personal benefits did not exceed the lesser of
$50,000 or 10% of the total annual salary and bonus reported under
the headings of "Salary" and "Bonus".



The Company did not grant any stock appreciation rights or stock
options during fiscal 2002.

Option Value at the End of Fiscal 2002

The following table sets forth certain information concerning the
number and the value at the end of fiscal 2002 of unexercised in-the-money
options to purchase Common Stock granted to the Named Executive Officers as
of the end of fiscal 2002. No stock appreciation rights have been granted
to any of the Named Executive Officers.


42

Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year
And Fiscal Year-End Option Values




Number of
Securities Value of
Underlying Unexercised
Unexercised In-the-Money
Options at Options at
Fiscal 2002 End(#) Fiscal 2002 End($)
Shares ------------------ ------------------
Acquired on Value Exercisable/ Exercisable/
Name Exercise(#) Realized($) Unexercisable Unexercisable(1)
---- ----------- ----------- ------------------ ------------------


Scott Rudolph 0 0 2,810,000/0 20,134,150/0

Harvey Kamil 0 0 525,000/0 3,818,413/0

Michael C. Slade 0 0 100,000/0 738,941/0

James Flaherty 30,000 257,250 0/0 0/0

William Shanahan 0 0 70,000/0 525,490/0


- --------------------
Based on the closing price of $12.98 of NBTY's Common Stock on
September 30, 2002, the last trading day of fiscal 2002, less the
exercise price payable for such Common Stock.



Employment Agreements with Executive Officers and Directors

Scott Rudolph Employment Agreement. The Company has entered into an
employment agreement with Mr. Scott Rudolph (the "Rudolph Agreement"),
superseding Mr. Scott Rudolph's prior employment agreement with the
Company. The Rudolph Agreement was effective October 1, 2002. Pursuant to
the Rudolph Agreement, Mr. Scott Rudolph currently serves as Chairman of
the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The initial term of
the Rudolph Agreement is five years, subject to automatic one-year
extensions, unless either the Company or Mr. Rudolph provides specified
notice to the contrary. Mr. Rudolph is required to devote to the Company
substantially all of his working time, attention and efforts. Under the
Rudolph Agreement, Mr. Rudolph currently receives a base salary of $750,000
and certain fringe benefits accorded to the other senior executives of
NBTY. Mr. Rudolph is also eligible to earn an annual bonus targeted at not
less than 50% of his base salary, as determined by the Compensation
Committee of the Board, taking into account the achievement by the Company
of certain performance goals.

Mr. Rudolph has the right to terminate the Rudolph Agreement in the
event of a material breach by the Company or for other "good reason" (as
defined in the Rudolph Agreement). In such event, or if the Company
terminates Mr. Rudolph's employment without cause (as defined in the
Rudolph Agreement), (i) Mr. Rudolph will be entitled to receive a lump sum
amount equal to the greater of: (1) the base salary, automobile allowance
and annual bonus (in the amount of 50% of his then base salary) that would
be payable for the remaining term of the Rudolph Agreement had such
termination not taken place, and (2) three times the sum of (x) his then
base salary plus (y) the annual bonus Mr. Rudolph received in the year
preceding such termination, (ii) all outstanding equity incentive awards
(including stock options) will immediately vest and remain exercisable


43


for a period of one year following the date of such termination (or, if
earlier, until the end of the option term), and (iii) Mr. Rudolph would be
entitled to receive a payment sufficient to offset the effects of any
excise tax ("Excise Tax") imposed under Section 4999 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, if a Change of Control (as defined in the
Rudolph Agreement) of the Company occurs after such termination of
employment.

Upon termination of Mr. Rudolph's employment with the Company,
following a "Change of Control" of the Company, Mr. Rudolph would (i) be
entitled to receive a lump sum amount equal to 2.99 times the average
compensation received by Mr. Rudolph during the five years immediately
preceding such termination, (ii) become vested in all outstanding equity
incentive awards (including stock options), (iii) have the right to receive
a cash payment equal to the "spread" on all outstanding stock options, and
(iv) be entitled to a payment sufficient to offset the effects of any
Excise Tax.

During the term of the Rudolph Agreement (and, in the event Mr.
Rudolph terminates his employment other than for good reason or the Company
terminates Mr. Rudolph's employment for cause, for a period of one year
beyond the expiration of the employment term), Mr. Rudolph will be subject
to certain non-competition requirements.

Harvey Kamil Employment Agreement. The Company has entered into an
employment agreement with Mr. Harvey Kamil (the "Kamil Agreement"),
superseding Mr. Kamil's prior employment agreement with the Company. The
Kamil Agreement was effective October 1, 2002. Pursuant to the Kamil
Agreement, Mr. Kamil currently serves as President and Chief Financial
Officer of the Company. The initial term of the Kamil Agreement is five
years, subject to automatic one-year extensions, unless either the Company
or Mr. Kamil provides specified notice to the contrary. Mr. Kamil is
required to devote to the Company substantially all of his working time,
attention and efforts. Under the Kamil Agreement, Mr. Kamil currently
receives a base salary of $420,000 and certain fringe benefits accorded to
the other senior executives of NBTY. Mr. Kamil is also eligible to earn an
annual bonus targeted at not less than 50% of his base salary, as
determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board, taking into account
the achievement by the Company of certain performance goals.

Mr. Kamil has the right to terminate the Kamil Agreement in the event
of a material breach by the Company or for other "good reason" (as defined
in the Kamil Agreement). In such event, or if the Company terminates Mr.
Kamil's employment without cause (as defined in the Kamil Agreement), (i)
Mr. Kamil will be entitled to receive a lump sum amount equal to the
greater of: (1) the base salary, automobile allowance and annual bonus (in
the amount of 50% of his then base salary) that would be payable for the
remaining term of the Kamil Agreement had such termination not taken place,
and (2) three times the sum of (x) his then base salary plus (y) the annual
bonus Mr. Kamil received in the year preceding such termination, (ii) all
outstanding equity incentive awards (including stock options) will
immediately vest and remain exercisable for a period of one year following
the date of such termination (or, if earlier, until the end of the option
term), and (iii) Mr. Kamil would be entitled to receive a payment
sufficient to offset the effects of any Excise Tax, if a Change of Control
(as defined in the Kamil Agreement) of the Company occurs after such
termination of employment.


44


Upon termination of Mr. Kamil's employment with the Company,
following a "Change of Control" of the Company, Mr. Kamil would (i) be
entitled to receive a lump sum amount equal to 2.99 times the average
compensation received by Mr. Kamil during the five years immediately
preceding such termination, (ii) become vested in all outstanding equity
incentive awards (including stock options), (iii) have the right to receive
a cash payment equal to the "spread" on all outstanding stock options, and
(iv) be entitled to a payment sufficient to offset the effects of any
Excise Tax.

During the term of the Kamil Agreement (and, in the event Mr. Kamil
terminates his employment other than for good reason or the Company
terminates Mr. Kamil's employment for cause, for a period of one year
beyond the expiration of the employment term), Mr. Kamil will be subject to
certain non-competition requirements.

Arthur Rudolph Consulting Agreement. Effective January 1, 2002, the
Company entered into a consulting agreement with Rudolph Management
Associates, Inc. for the services of Arthur Rudolph, a director and founder
of the Company. The consulting fee (which is paid monthly) is fixed by the
Board of Directors of the Company, provided that in no event will the
consulting fee be at a rate lower than $400,000 per year. In addition, Mr.
Arthur Rudolph receives certain fringe benefits accorded to other
executives of NBTY. The Company currently intends to renew this consulting
agreement for a period of one year on substantially similar terms.

Four members of Holland & Barrett's senior executive staff have
service contracts, terminable by the Company upon twelve months' notice.
The aggregate commitment for these salaries as of September 30, 2002, was
approximately $700,000 per year.


Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership as of
December 9, 2002 by each person known by the Company to be the beneficial
owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock
(constituting the only class of voting stock of the Company), each director
of the Company, each Named Executive Officer, and all directors and
executive officers as a group.




Shares Benefically Owned
-------------------------------
Amount and Nature Percent
Name and Address of of Beneficial of
Beneficial Owner Ownership (a) Class (a)


Scott Rudolph (b) 8,941,929 12.94%
c/o NBTY, Inc.
90 Orville Drive
Bohemia, NY 11716


45


Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter & Co. (c) 4,353,099 6.57%
1585 Broadway
New York, NY 10036

Barclays Global Investors, 3,913,339 5.90%
N.A. (c)
45 Fremont Street
San Francisco, CA 94105

NBTY, Inc. 2,934,614 4.43%
Employees' Stock
Ownership Plan

Arthur Rudolph (d)(e) 2,156,893 3.25%
c/o NBTY, Inc.
90 Orville Drive
Bohemia, NY 11716

Harvey Kamil (f) 1,817,344 2.72%
c/o NBTY, Inc.
90 Orville Drive
Bohemia, NY 11716

Michael Slade (g) 2,295,698 3.46%
c/o NBTY, Inc.
90 Orville Drive
Bohemia, NY 11716

James Flaherty 101,750 *
c/o NBTY, Inc.
90 Orville Drive
Bohemia, NY 11716

William Shanahan (h) 177,000 *
c/o NBTY, Inc.
90 Orville Drive
Bohemia, NY 11716

Aram G. Garabedian 3,000 *
c/o NBTY, Inc.
90 Orville Drive
Bohemia, NY 11716


46


Bernard G. Owen (e) 68,500 *
c/o NBTY, Inc.
90 Orville Drive
Bohemia, NY 11716

Alfred Sacks (e) 60,500 *
c/o NBTY, Inc.
90 Orville Drive
Bohemia, NY 11716

Murray Daly (i) 35,000 *
c/o NBTY, Inc.
90 Orville Drive
Bohemia, NY 11716

Glenn Cohen -- --
c/o NBTY, Inc.
90 Orville Drive
Bohemia, NY 11716

Nathan Rosenblatt (j) 75,000 *
c/o NBTY, Inc.
90 Orville Drive
Bohemia, NY 11716

Michael Ashner 25,000 *
c/o NBTY, Inc.
90 Orville Drive
Bohemia, NY 11716

Peter J. White (k) 3,000 *
c/o NBTY, Inc.
90 Orville Drive
Bohemia, NY 11716

All Directors & 15,760,614 22.51%
Executive Officers as a group
(14 persons)


- --------------------
* Less than one percent
(a) This column includes shares which directors and executive officers
have the right to acquire within 60 days. Except as otherwise
indicated, each person and entity has the sole voting and investment
power with respect to the shares set forth in the table.
(b) Includes shares held in a Trust created by Arthur Rudolph for the
benefit of Scott Rudolph and others and options to purchase 2,810,000
shares of common stock which are presently exercisable.


47


(c) Information is based solely upon the stockholder's Schedule 13G
filings with the SEC.
(d) Includes 40,000 shares owned by Mr. Arthur Rudolph's wife, as to
which Mr. Arthur Rudolph disclaims beneficial ownership.
(e) Includes options to purchase 60,000 shares of common stock which are
presently exercisable.
(f) Includes options to purchase 525,000 shares of common stock which are
presently exercisable.
(g) Includes (i) options to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock which
are presently exercisable and (ii) 530,847 shares of common stock
held in a trust for the benefit of Mr. Slade's wife, as to which Mr.
Slade disclaims beneficial ownership.
(h) Includes options to purchase 70,000 shares of common stock which are
presently exercisable.
(i) Includes options to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock which are
presently exercisable.
(j) Represents options to purchase 30,000 shares of common stock which
are presently exercisable and 45,000 shares owned by Mr. Rosenblatt's
wife, as to which Mr. Rosenblatt disclaims beneficial ownership.
(k) Includes 1,000 shares of common stock owned by Mr. White's wife, as
to which Mr. White disclaims beneficial ownership.



Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
- ------------------------------------------------------------------

The following table summarizes the Company's equity compensation
plans as of September 30, 2002.




Number of
securities to be Weighted- Number of securities
issued upon average exercise remaining available for
exercise of price of future issuance under
outstanding outstanding equity compensation
options, options, plans (excluding
warrants and warrants and securities reflected in
rights rights column (a))
Plan Category (a) (b) (c)
------------- ---------------- ---------------- -----------------------


Equity compensation plans approved by
security holders 4,372,343 $5.77 2,487,500

Equity compensation plans not
approved by security holders -- -- --


Total: 4,372,343 $5.77 2,487,500



48


NBTY, Inc. Employees' Stock Ownership Plan (the "ESOP")
- -------------------------------------------------------

The ESOP provides as follows:

Eligibility; Trustee

All associates of the Company, including officers, over the age of 20
1/2 and who have been employed by the Company for at least one year and
completed at least 1,000 hours of employment are eligible to participate
in the ESOP. Mr. Arthur Rudolph is the Trustee of the ESOP.

Contributions

Contributions of either cash or Company common stock are made on a
voluntary basis by the Company, as authorized and directed by the Board of
Directors. There is no contribution required to be made by the Company in
any one year. The ESOP is maintained on a calendar year basis.

There are no contributions required or permitted to be made by an
associate of the Company. All contributions, if any, made by the Company in
any plan year may not exceed 15% of the aggregate compensation of all
participants during such plan year. Each eligible associate receives an
account or share in the ESOP, and the cash and/or shares of stock
contributed to the ESOP each year are credited to his or her account.

Vesting

Once an associate is eligible, a portion of the stock in his or her
account becomes "vested", as follows:




Number of Years Percentage of Shares
of Service earned each year
--------------- --------------------


Less than 5 0%
5 or more 100%


Distribution; Voting

If an associate retires, is disabled, dies or his or her employment
is otherwise terminated, that associate or that associate's estate will
receive the vested portion of such associate's account.

Each participant directs the Trustee as to the manner in which the
Company's common stock represented by such participant's account is to be
voted and as to the manner in which rights other than voting rights are to
be exercised.

Distribution is to be made only upon a participant's retirement,
termination of employment, death or disability (as defined in the ESOP).
All distributions are made only in the shares of the Company's common
stock.


49


Distribution of shares of the Company's common stock are not taxable
to a participant at the time of distribution. Instead, a participant is
taxed at the time the participant sells such shares. If the distribution
is a lump sum distribution, the amount of gain subject to tax is equal to
the amount received upon the sale of the stock less the amount contributed
to the plan in exchange for such stock. Any unrealized appreciation
inherent in the stock at the time of distribution will be taxed at long-
term capital gains rates. Any subsequent appreciation in the stock will be
capital gains, and will be long-term capital gains if the participant owns
the stock for at least one year at the time of sale.

Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

The Company has had, and in the future may continue to have, business
transactions with individuals and firms affiliated with certain of the
Company's directors. Each such transaction has been in the ordinary course
of the Company's business.

During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2002, the following
transactions occurred:

A. Gail Radvin, Inc., a corporation wholly-owned by Gail Radvin,
received commissions from the Company totaling approximately
$585,000 on account of sales in certain foreign countries and
had trade receivable balances of approximately $3,632,000 as of
September 30, 2002. Gail Radvin is the sister of Arthur
Rudolph (a director of the Company) and the aunt of Scott
Rudolph (Chairman and Chief Executive Officer).

B. The Company paid $400,000 to Rudolph Management Associates,
Inc., pursuant to the Consulting Agreement between the Company
and Rudolph Management Associates, Inc. Mr. Arthur Rudolph, a
director of the Company, is the President of Rudolph Management
Associates, Inc. See "Employment Agreements with Executive
Officers and Directors" above.

C. Glenn-Scott Landscaping & Design, a company owned by the
brother of Glenn Cohen, a director of the Company, performed
landscaping and maintenance on the Company's properties and
received approximately $93,000 in compensation during fiscal
2002.

D. Certain members of the immediate families (as defined in Rule
404 of Regulation S-K) of Arthur Rudolph, Scott Rudolph and
Michael Slade (each a director of the Company) are employed by
the Company. During fiscal 2002, these immediate family
members received aggregate compensation from the Company
totaling approximately $937,000 for services rendered by them
as employees of the Company.


Item 14. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company's chief executive officer and chief financial officer
have concluded, based on their evaluation as of a date within 90 days of
the filing date of this report, that the Company's disclosure controls and
procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-


50


14(c) and 15d-14(c) under the Exchange Act) are effective for recording,
processing, summarizing and reporting, within the time periods specified in
the SEC's rules and forms, the information required to be disclosed in the
reports filed by the Company under the Exchange Act. There have been no
significant changes in the Company's internal controls or in other factors
that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of
the previously mentioned evaluation.


51


PART IV

Item 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)(1) Financial Statements. Reference is made to the financial statements
listed in Section 1 of the Index to Consolidated Financial
Statements and Schedules in this Report.

(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules. Reference is made to the financial
statement schedules listed in Section 2 of the Index to Consolidated
Financial Statements and Schedules in this Report. All other
schedules have been omitted as not required, not applicable or
because the information required to be presented is included in the
financial statements and related notes.

(a)(3) Exhibits. The following exhibits are filed as a part of this Report
or incorporated by reference and will be furnished to any security
holder upon request for such exhibit and payment of any reasonable
expenses incurred by the Company. A security holder should send
requests for any of the exhibits set forth below to the Company, 90
Orville Drive, Bohemia, New York, 11716; Attention: General
Counsel.




Exhibit No. Description
----------- -----------


3.1 Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of NBTY, Inc., as amended*

3.2 Amended and Restated By-Laws of NBTY,
Inc. (1)

4.1 Indenture, dated as of September 23, 1997, between
NBTY, Inc. and IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company, as
Trustee, relating to $150,000,000 in aggregate
principal amount of 8 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes
due 2007, Series A and Series B. (1)

10.1 Third Amended and Restated Credit and Guarantee
Agreement, dated as of April 27, 2001, among NBTY,
Inc., as Borrower, Holland & Barrett Holdings
Limited, as Foreign Subsidiary Borrower, the several
lenders from time to time parties thereto, and The
Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent. *

10.2 Amended and Restated Guarantee and Collateral
Agreement, dated as of April 16, 1999, by NBTY


52


and its subsidiary guarantors party thereto in favor
of The Chase Manhattan Bank.*

10.3 Employment Agreement, effective October 1, 2002, by
and between NBTY, Inc. and Scott Rudolph.*

10.4 Employment Agreement, effective October 1, 2002, by
and between NBTY, Inc. and Harvey Kamil.*

10.5 Consulting Agreement, effective January 1, 2002, by
and between NBTY, Inc. and Rudolph Management
Associates, Inc.*

10.6 NBTY, Inc. Employees' Stock Ownership Plan, dated
December 28, 1999.*

10.7 Amendment to the NBTY, Inc. Employees' Stock
Ownership Plan, effective January 1, 2000*

10.8 NBTY, Inc. Year 2002 Stock Option Plan (2)

21.1 Subsidiaries of NBTY, Inc.*

23.1 Consent of Independent Accountants*

99.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to
18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*

99.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to
18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*


- --------------------
* Filed herewith
Incorporated by reference to NBTY, Inc.'s Registration Statement on
Form S-4, filed on November 5, 1997 (Registration No. 333-39527).
Incorporated by reference to NBTY, Inc. Proxy Statement, dated March
25, 2002 (File # 0-10666)



(b) Reports on Form 8-K. No reports on Form 8-K were filed by the
Company during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended September
30, 2002.

(c) The exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K to be filed as
part of this Report or incorporated herein by reference are listed
in Item 15(a)(3) above.

(d) See Item 15(a)(2) of this Report.


53


NBTY, INC.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULE




Page
Number
------


1. Financial Statements

Report of Independent Accountants F-1

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2002 and 2001 F-2

Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended
September 30, 2002, 2001 and 2000 F-3

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity and Comprehensive Income
for the years ended September 30, 2002, 2001 and 2000 F-4

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
September 30, 2002, 2001 and 2000 F-5

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-7

2. Financial Statement Schedule

Schedule II S-1



54


Report of Independent Accountants

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
of NBTY, Inc. and Subsidiaries:

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the index
appearing under Item 15(a)(1) on page 54 present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of NBTY, Inc. and its subsidiaries at
September 30, 2002 and 2001, and the results of their operations and their
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30,
2002 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial
statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2) on
page 54 presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set
forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated
financial statements. These financial statements and financial statement
schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management; our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and
financial statement schedule based on our audits. We conducted our audits
of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the
financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures
in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.

As discussed in Note 1, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts
for goodwill and other intangible assets upon adoption of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible
Assets", on October 1, 2001.



PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
November 5, 2002, except as to Notes 16 and 20,
which are as of December 11, 2002


F-1


NBTY, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
September 30, 2002 and 2001
(Dollars and shares in thousands)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------



2002 2001
---- ----


Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 26,229 $ 34,434
Investments in bonds 8,194
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful
accounts of $4,194 in 2002 and $3,222 in 2001 41,362 34,730
Inventories 204,402 184,745
Deferred income taxes 11,206 5,318
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 24,691 21,341
--------- ---------

Total current assets 316,084 280,568

Property, plant and equipment, net 216,245 229,216
Goodwill, net 144,999 137,818
Intangible assets, net 48,413 47,910
Other assets 8,936 12,950
--------- ---------

Total assets $ 734,677 $ 708,462
========= =========

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt and capital
lease obligations $ 23,044 $ 34,911
Accounts payable 48,616 50,673
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 58,714 63,876
--------- ---------

Total current liabilities 130,374 149,460

Long-term debt 163,874 237,236
Deferred income taxes 16,928 16,761
Other liabilities 4,244 2,599
--------- ---------

Total liabilities 315,420 406,056
--------- ---------

Commitments and contingencies (Notes 12 and 16)

Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $.008 par; authorized 175,000 shares
in 2002 and 2001; issued and outstanding 66,133
shares in 2002 and 65,724 shares in 2001 529 526
Capital in excess of par 126,283 122,513
Retained earnings 287,868 193,184
--------- ---------
414,680 316,223
Stock subscriptions receivable - (839)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 4,577 (12,978)
--------- ---------

Total stockholders' equity 419,257 302,406
--------- ---------

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 734,677 $ 708,462
========= =========


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.

F-2


NBTY, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income
Years ended September 30, 2002, 2001 and 2000
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------



2002 2001 2000
---- ---- ----


Net sales $ 964,083 $ 806,898 $ 720,856
--------- --------- ---------

Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales 433,611 355,167 312,960
Catalog printing, postage and promotion 47,846 49,410 33,709
Selling, general and administrative 348,334 315,228 279,379
Recovery of raw material costs (21,354) (2,511)
--------- --------- ---------

808,437 719,805 623,537
--------- --------- ---------

Income from operations 155,646 87,093 97,319
--------- --------- ---------

Other income (expense):
Interest, net (18,499) (21,958) (18,858)
Miscellaneous, net 1,560 2,748 4,491
--------- --------- ---------

(16,939) (19,210) (14,367)
--------- --------- ---------

Income before income taxes 138,707 67,883 82,952

Provision for income taxes 42,916 25,958 31,444
--------- --------- ---------

Net income $ 95,791 $ 41,925 $ 51,508
========= ========= =========

Net income per share:
Basic $ 1.45 $ 0.64 $ 0.77
Diluted $ 1.41 $ 0.62 $ 0.74

Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic 65,952 65,774 67,327
Diluted 67,829 67,125 69,318


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.


F-3


NBTY, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity and Comprehensive Income
Years ended September 30, 2002, 2001 and 2000
(Dollars and shares in thousands)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------



Accumulated
Other
Common Stock Treasury Stock Compre- Total
----------------- Capital ----------------- Stock hensive Total Compre-
Number of in Excess Retained Number of Subscriptions Income Stockholders' hensive
Shares Amount of Par Earnings Shares Amount Receivable (Loss) Equity Income
--------- ------ --------- -------- --------- ------ ------------- ----------- ------------- -------


Balance, September
30, 1999 66,096 $529 $106,332 $111,792 - $ - $(839) $ 6,135 $ 223,949 $ 22,101
========

Components of com-
prehensive income:
Net income 51,508 51,508 $ 51,508
Foreign currency
translation
adjustment (18,987) (18,987) (18,987)
Purchase of treasury
shares, at cost 288 (2,511) (2,511)
Acquisition of
Nutrition Warehouse 1,059 8 12,235 12,243
Treasury stock
retired (53) (999) (53) 999 -
Exercise of stock
options 1,422 11 4,397 4,408
Tax benefit from
exercise of
stock options 1,833 1,833
------ ---- -------- -------- ------ ------- ----- -------- --------- --------

Balance, September
30, 2000 68,524 548 123,798 163,300 235 (1,512) (839) (12,852) 272,443 $ 32,521
========
Components of com-
prehensive income:
Net income 41,925 41,925 $ 41,925
Foreign currency
translation
adjustment (126) (126) (126)
Purchase of treasury
shares, at cost 3,023 (15,699) (15,699)
Treasury stock
retired (3,258) (26) (5,144) (12,041) (3,258) 17,211 -
Exercise of stock
options 458 4 2,600 2,604
Tax benefit from
exercise of
stock options 1,259 1,259
------ ---- -------- -------- ------ ------- ----- -------- --------- --------

Balance, September
30, 2001 65,724 526 122,513 193,184 - - (839) (12,978) 302,406 $ 41,799
========

Components of com-
prehensive income:
Net income 95,791 95,791 $ 95,791
Foreign currency
translation
adjustment 17,603 17,603 17,603
Change in net un-
realized gain on

available-for-
sale investments (48) (48) (48)
Treasury stock
retired (71) (1) (113) (1,107) (1,221)
Exercise of stock
options 480 4 2,068 2,072
Repayment of stock
subscriptions
receivable 839 839
Tax benefit from
exercise of
stock options 1,815 1,815 -
------ ---- -------- -------- ------ ------- ----- -------- --------- --------

Balance, September
30, 2002 66,133 $529 $126,283 $287,868 - $ - $ - $ 4,577 $ 419,257 $113,346
====== ==== ======== ======== ====== ======= ===== ======== ========= ========


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.


F-4


NBTY, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years ended September 30, 2002, 2001 and 2000
(Dollars and shares in thousands)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------



2002 2001 2000
---- ---- ----


Cash flows from operating activities
Net income $ 95,791 $ 41,925 $ 51,508
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Loss on disposal/sale of property, plant
and equipment 102 385 1,119
Depreciation and amortization 42,192 44,946 38,501
Amortization of deferred financing costs 782 782 787
Amortization of bond discount 124 124 124
Allowance for doubtful accounts 972 1,995 21
Deferred income taxes (5,829) (2,036) 4,827
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options 1,815 1,259 1,833
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of
acquisitions:
Accounts receivable (7,011) (3,652) 5,803
Inventories (14,277) (34,723) 8,039
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (3,432) 343 1,914
Other assets (586) 119 417
Accounts payable (3,442) (11,959) 6,093
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (3,891) 23,500 2,643
Other liabilities 221 (223) (211)
-------- -------- --------

Net cash provided by operating activities 103,531 62,785 123,418
-------- -------- --------

Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired (7,702) (63,010) (45,119)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (21,489) (37,197) (51,786)
Purchase of short-term investments (8,242) - -
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 1,004 4,232 256
Proceeds from sale of intangibles 53 - -
Increase in intangible assets - (159) -
-------- -------- --------

Net cash used in investing activities (36,376) (96,134) (96,649)
-------- -------- --------

Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal payments under long-term debt agreements
and capital leases (85,353) (12,780) (17,667)
Net borrowings under Credit & Guarantee Agreement - 71,502 2,800
Cash held in escrow - (10,000) -
Release of cash held in escrow 4,600 - -
Purchase of treasury stock - (15,699) (1,512)
Proceeds from stock options exercised 1,899 2,604 4,408
-------- -------- --------

Net cash (used in) provided by financing
activities (78,854) 35,627 (11,971)
-------- -------- --------

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash
equivalents 3,494 692 (1,603)
-------- -------- --------

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (8,205) 2,970 13,195

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 34,434 31,464 18,269
-------- -------- --------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 26,229 $ 34,434 $ 31,464
======== ======== ========


Continued

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.


F-5


NBTY, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, continued
Years ended September 30, 2002, 2001 and 2000
(Dollars and shares in thousands)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------



2002 2001 2000
---- ---- ----


Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for interest $18,513 $23,019 $20,224
Cash paid during the period for income taxes $55,101 $22,269 $16,116


Non-cash investing and financing information:
During fiscal 2002, certain officers surrendered 61 shares as
consideration for stock subscriptions receivable plus interest,
aggregating $1,048. Such shares were retired by the Company during
2002.
During fiscal 2001, the Company adjusted its goodwill related to the
acquisition of Feeling Fine LLC (September 2000) for the write-off of
uncollectible accounts receivable amounting to $1,144.
In connection with the acquisition of Nutrition Warehouse, Inc. and its
affiliated companies, on January 1, 2000, the Company issued 1,059
shares of NBTY stock having a total then market value of approximately
$12,200 (Note 2).
During fiscal 2000, the Company entered into capital leases for computer
equipment for approximately $1,000.
In July 2000, the Company sold certain assets for approximately $650 in
exchange for a note to be paid over five years.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.


F-6


NBTY, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Business Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Business operations

The Company (as defined below) manufactures and sells vitamins, food
supplements, and health and beauty aids primarily in the United States, the
United Kingdom and Ireland. The processing, formulation, packaging,
labeling and advertising of the Company's products are subject to
regulation by one or more federal agencies, including the Food and Drug
Administration, the Federal Trade Commission, the Consumer Product Safety
Commission, the United States Department of Agriculture, the United States
Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Postal Service.

Within the United Kingdom and Ireland, the manufacturing, advertising,
sales and marketing of food products is regulated by a number of
governmental agencies, including the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and
Food, the Department of Health, the Food Advisory Committee and the
Committee on Toxicity.

In addition, there are various statutory instruments and European Community
("E.C.") regulations governing specific areas such as the use of
sweeteners, coloring and additives in food. Trading standards officers
under the control of the Department of Trade and Industry also regulate
matters such as the cleanliness of the properties where food is produced
and sold.

Food that has medicinal properties may fall under the jurisdiction of the
Medicine Control Agency ("MCA"), a regulatory authority whose
responsibility is to ensure that all medicines sold or supplied for human
use in the U.K. meet acceptable standards of safety, quality and efficacy.
These standards are determined by the 1968 Medicines Act together with an
increasing number of E.C. regulations and directives established by the
European Union. The latter take precedence over national laws. The MCA
has a "borderline department" which determines when food should be treated
as a medicine and should therefore fall under the relevant legislation
relating to medicines. The MCA is responsible, for example, for licensing,
inspection and enforcement to ensure that legal requirements concerning
manufacture, distribution, sale, labeling, advertising and promotion are
upheld.

In Ireland, the sale of nutritional supplements and herbal products falls
under the jurisdiction of the Irish Medicines Board ("IMB"). Its role is
similar in nature, but not identical to that of the MCA in the U.K. as
described above.

Principles of consolidation and basis of presentation
The consolidated financial statements of NBTY, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the
"Company" or "NBTY") include the accounts of the Company and its wholly
owned subsidiaries. The Company's fiscal year ends on September 30. All
intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Revenue recognition
The Company recognizes revenue from products shipped when risk of loss and
title transfers to its customers, and with respect to its own retail store
operations, upon the sale of products. The Company has no single customer
that represents more than 10% of annual net sales of the Company for the
fiscal years ended September 30, 2002, 2001 and 2000. One customer
accounted for 21% and 16% of the Company's accounts receivable at September
30, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

In December 1999, the Securities and Exchange Commission staff issued Staff
Accounting Bulletin No. 101, "Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements,"
("SAB 101"). SAB 101 does not change existing revenue recognition rules,
but rather addresses and clarifies existing rules and their


F-7


NBTY, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

application. The Company adopted SAB 101, effective October 1, 2000. The
impact of SAB 101 for the year ended September 30, 2001 resulted in a
reduction of sales of approximately $4 million and net income of
approximately $1.4 million.

Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and
disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the
financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during
the reporting period. The most significant estimates include the valuation
of inventories, the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable and the
recoverability of long-lived assets. Actual results could differ from
those estimates.

Concentration of credit risk
Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to credit risk
consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable.
Cash balances may, at times, exceed FDIC limits on insurable amounts. The
Company mitigates its risk by investing in or through major financial
institutions.

To manage credit risk with regard to trade accounts receivable, the Company
performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers' financial condition.

Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is primarily
determined on the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. The cost elements of
inventory include materials, labor and overhead. In fiscal 2002, 2001 and
2000, no one supplier provided more than 10% of the Company's overall
purchases.

Prepaid catalog costs
Mail order production and mailing costs are capitalized as prepaid catalog
costs and charged to expense over the catalog period, which typically
approximates two months.

Advertising
All media and advertising costs are generally expensed as incurred. Total
expenses relating to advertising and promotion for fiscal 2002, 2001 and
2000 were $26,019, $28,747 and $17,046, respectively. Included in prepaid
expenses and other current assets is approximately $1,044 and $417 relating
to prepaid advertising at September 30, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost. Depreciation is
provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the
related assets. Expenditures, which significantly improve or extend the
life of an asset are capitalized. Amortization of leasehold improvements
is computed using the straight-line method over the shorter of the
estimated useful lives of the related assets or lease term.

Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense in the year incurred. Cost
and related accumulated depreciation for property, plant and equipment are
removed from the accounts upon sale or disposition and the resulting gain
or loss is reflected in earnings.


F-8


NBTY, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Goodwill and intangible assets
Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the fair value of
identifiable net assets of companies acquired. The Company adopted
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, "Goodwill and
Intangible Assets" ("SFAS 142") as of October 1, 2001. This statement
requires that goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives
no longer be amortized, but instead tested for impairment at least
annually. Prior to fiscal 2002, goodwill was amortized over periods not
exceeding 40 years. Other definite lived intangibles are amortized on a
straight-line basis over periods not exceeding 15 years.

Impairment of long-lived assets
The Company follows the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards ("SFAS") No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived
Assets and Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of." This statement requires
that certain assets be reviewed for impairment and, if impaired, remeasured
at fair value whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the
carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. During fiscal 2002
and 2001, the Company recognized impairment losses of $700 and $500,
respectively, on assets to be held and used. The Company did not recognize
an impairment loss during fiscal 2000. The impairment losses related
primarily to leasehold improvements and furniture and fixtures for retail
operations and were recorded in selling, general and administrative
expense.

In August 2001, the SFAS issued SFAS No. 143, "Accounting for Asset
Retirement Obligations," and SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment
or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets." SFAS No. 143 addresses financial
accounting and reporting for obligations associated with the retirement of
tangible long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement costs. SFAS
No. 144 addresses financial accounting and reporting for the impairment or
disposal of long-lived assets. The Company does not expect the adoption of
SFAS No. 143 and 144, effective October 1, 2002, to have a material impact
on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Stock-based compensation
The Company accounts for stock option grants in accordance with Accounting
Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees"
and complies with the disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 123, "Accounting
for Stock-Based Compensation."

Foreign currency
The financial statements of international subsidiaries are translated into
U.S. dollars using the exchange rate at each balance sheet date for assets
and liabilities and an average exchange rate for each period for revenues,
expenses, gains and losses. Where the local currency is the functional
currency, translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of
stockholders' equity.

During fiscal 2002, 2001 and 2000, the Company recognized foreign currency
transaction gains (losses) of $(1,556), $(481) and $415, respectively.

Comprehensive income
Comprehensive income represents the change in stockholders' equity
resulting from transactions other than stockholder investments and
distributions. Included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
are net gains on foreign currency translation of $4,625 and unrealized
holding losses of $48 on available-for-sale securities.


F-9


NBTY, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Income taxes
The Company recognizes deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected
future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial
statements or tax returns. Deferred tax liabilities and assets are
determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax
basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the
year in which the differences are expected to reverse.

Cash and cash equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an
original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Shipping and handling costs
The Company incurs shipping and handling costs in all divisions of its
operations. These costs are included in selling, general and
administrative costs and are $23,985, $19,799 and $19,277 for the fiscal
years ended September 30, 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively.

Change in accounting estimate
During fiscal 2001, the Company changed its accounting estimate for the
useful lives of certain long-lived assets, primarily leasehold improvements
and furniture and fixtures, based upon the terms of the lease agreements
which approximate the useful lives of the assets. The effect of this
change in estimate has been accounted for on a prospective basis and
resulted in a decrease in depreciation and amortization expense of
approximately $1,248 for the year ended September 30, 2001.

Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to conform prior year amounts to
the current year presentation.

New accounting developments
In February 2002, the Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") reached a
consensus on Issue No. 01-09, "Accounting for Consideration Given by a
Vendor to a Customer (Including a Reseller of the Vendor's Products),"
effective no later than periods beginning after December 15, 2001. EITF
Issue No. 01-09 addresses the following items:

a. The income statement characterization of consideration given by a
vendor to a customer, specifically whether that consideration should
be presented in the vendor's income statement as a reduction of
revenue or as a cost or expense.
b. Whether a vendor should recognize consideration given to a customer
as an asset in certain circumstances rather than as an immediate
charge in the income statement.
c. When to recognize the "cost" of a sales incentive and how to measure
it.

The Company has determined that the impact of adoption and subsequent
application of EITF Issue No. 01-09 did not have a material effect on its
consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In April 2002, the FASB issued Statement No. 145, "Rescission of FASB
Statements No. 4, 44 and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and
Technical Corrections." Under SFAS 145, gains and losses on
extinguishments of debt are to be classified as income or loss from
continuing operations rather than extraordinary items. Adoption of this
statement is required for fiscal years beginning after May 15, 2002. The
Company does not expect the adoption of this statement to have a material
impact on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.


F-10


NBTY, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

In July 2002, the FASB issued Statement No. 146, "Accounting for Costs
Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities," which requires that a
liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity be
recognized when incurred. This Statement also establishes that fair value
is the objective for initial measurement of the liability. Severance pay
under SFAS 146, in many cases, would be recognized over time rather than
up-front. The provisions of this Statement are effective for exit or
disposal activities that are initiated after December 31, 2002, with early
application encouraged.

2. Acquisitions

Fiscal 2002 acquisitions:
On December 6, 2001, the Company acquired out of bankruptcy certain assets
of HealthCentral.com for approximately $2,800 in cash. The assets include
the customer list of the mail order operation, L&H Vitamins, and the
customer list and URLs of Vitamins.com and WebRx.com. Assets acquired were
classified as intangibles, specifically as a customer list ($2,800) which
is being amortized over 15 years. These operations had sales for the 12
month period ended November 2001 of approximately $15,000 and a combined
customer list of approximately 1.8 million names, which has been merged
into the existing customer base of the Puritan's Pride/Direct Response
business.

On December 13, 2001, the Company acquired certain assets of the Knox
NutraJoint(R) and Knox for Nails nutritional supplement business from Kraft
Foods North America, Inc. for approximately $4,500 in cash. Assets
acquired include inventory ($2,456) and intangibles ($2,000).
Approximately $1,800 of the $2,000 has been classified as a trademark with
an indefinite life. Kraft's revenues for these brands were approximately
$15,000 in 2001. NBTY has licensed the Knox trademark at no charge to
Kraft Foods North America, Inc. for use in the Knox gelatine business,
which was not part of the acquisition.

All 2002 acquisitions were funded with internally generated cash.

Fiscal 2001 acquisitions:

Global Group
On May 25, 2001, the Company acquired certain assets and liabilities of the
business of Global Health Sciences, Inc. and certain of its affiliated
companies ("Global Group"). NBTY was the successful bidder in an auction
ordered by a bankruptcy court in California. The purchase price was
approximately $40 million in cash, less adjustments. The Global Group is
located in Anaheim, California and is a leading manufacturer of nutritional
powders used for meal replacements, weight control and protein powders
formulated to improve physical performance. Global Group also produces
formulations for herbal, vitamin and mineral tablets.

Assets acquired and liabilities assumed include cash ($1,427), accounts
receivable ($8,569), inventory ($7,894), other current assets ($1,663),
property, plant and equipment ($14,000) and current liabilities ($241).
Global Group had sales of $171 million for the 12-month period ended April
2001. The excess cost of investment over the net book value of Global
Group at the date of acquisition amounted to $6,923 of which $6,681 was
classified by the Company as other long-term assets in 2001. In fiscal
2002, the Company received $4,600 from an escrow account and anticipates
approximately $1,850 to be received. The remaining excess has been
classified as goodwill.

NatureSmart
On May 15, 2001, the Company acquired certain assets and liabilities of
NatureSmart, LLC from


F-11


NBTY, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Whole Foods Market, Inc. for approximately $29 million in cash.
NatureSmart, through its four divisions, manufactures and markets
nutritional supplements, including vitamins, minerals, herbs and personal
care products through mail order operations having approximately 350,000
active customers. It also manufactures private label vitamins for mass
market, specialty retailers and healthcare professionals.

Assets acquired and liabilities assumed include accounts receivable ($607),
inventory ($10,882), other current assets ($618), property, plant and
equipment ($3,462), intangibles ($1,893), and current liabilities ($4,487).
The excess cost of investment over the net book value of NatureSmart at the
date of acquisition resulted in an increase in goodwill of $16,395.
NatureSmart's annual sales for the year ended September 24, 2000 were
approximately $59 million.

Both 2001 transactions were funded by borrowings under the Credit and
Guarantee Agreement ("CGA").

These two acquisitions contributed $29 million of sales and a marginal
operating profit for the Company's 2001 fiscal year.

Fiscal 2000 acquisitions:
In September 2000, the Company acquired certain assets and liabilities of
Feeling Fine Company LLC for $2,964. In June 2000, the Company acquired
certain assets and liabilities of Longevity Formulas, Inc. (also known as
"Healthwatchers System") and Martin Health Systems, Inc. for $5,150.
In April 2000, the Company acquired the mailing list of Rexall Sundown's
SDV vitamin catalog and mail order list for $16,500.

On January 1, 2000, the Company acquired Nutrition Warehouse, Inc. and its
affiliated companies ("NW") for $20,000 in cash and approximately 1,059
shares of NBTY stock having a total then market value of $12,200. NW
operated a direct response/e-commerce business as well as 14 retail stores
in various locations in New York State. The e-commerce business has been
combined with the Company's Puritan.com operations and the retail stores
have been merged into the Company's U.S. retail operations. Annual
revenues approximated $14,000 for the e-commerce/direct response business
as well as $14,000 in retail sales for the year ended December 31, 1999.
The cash portion of the acquisition was funded with $20,000 in borrowings
under the CGA.

3. Divestitures

In July 2000, the Company sold certain assets of Bio Nutritional Formulas,
Inc. for a note in principal amount of approximately $650 which is being
repaid over five years. No gain or loss was recognized on the sale.

4. Investments in bonds

The Company classifies its debt securities as available for sale and are
reported at fair market value (based on quoted market prices), with net
unrealized gains or losses on the securities recorded as accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders' equity. Unrealized losses are
charged against income when a decline in the fair market value of an
individual security is determined to be other-than-temporary. Realized
gains and losses are included in earnings and are derived using the
specific identification method for determining the cost of the securities.
There were no realized gains or losses in fiscal 2002.


F-12


NBTY, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

At September 30, 2002, the Company held $8,242, net of reserves, of high
yield, less than investment grade corporate debt securities with an
aggregate market value of $8,194. Investments in less than investment
grade corporate debt securities have greater risks than other investments
in corporate debt securities rated investment grade. Risk of loss upon
default by the borrower is significantly greater with respect to such
corporate debt securities than with other corporate debt securities because
these securities are generally unsecured and are often subordinated to
other creditors of the issuer. Further, issuers of less than investment
grade securities usually have high levels of indebtedness and are more
sensitive to adverse economic conditions, such as recession or increasing
interest rates, than are investment grade issuers. There is only a thinly
traded market for such securities and recent market ratings of such debt
are as follows: Moody's Investors Service, Inc. currently rates these debt
securities as Caa2 and Standard & Poor's currently rates these debt
securities as a CCC-. Both credit agencies' ratings remained unchanged
from the prior period. Market quotes may not represent firm bids of such
dealers or prices for actual sales.

The cost and estimated fair value for these available-for-sale investments
in debt securities at September 30, 2002 by contractual maturity was $8,242
and $8,194, respectively, due beyond 1 year and within 5 years.

5. Inventories



September 30,
-----------------------
2002 2001
---- ----


Raw materials $ 77,051 $ 66,519
Work-in-process 8,527 4,558
Finished goods 118,824 113,668
-------- --------

$204,402 $184,745
======== ========


6. Property, Plant and Equipment



Depreciation
September 30, and
---------------------- Amortization
2002 2001 Period (Years)
---- ---- --------------


Land $ 10,781 $ 10,549
Buildings and leasehold improvements 94,360 87,627 5 - 40
Machinery and equipment 95,961 91,651 3 - 10
Furniture and fixtures 142,026 140,627 5 - 10
Transportation equipment 5,411 5,013 4
Computer equipment 43,494 37,376 5
-------- --------

392,033 372,843
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 175,788 143,627
-------- --------

$216,245 $229,216
======== ========


Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment for the
fiscal years ended September 30, 2002, 2001 and 2000 was approximately
$37,863, $34,866 and $29,275, respectively.


F-13


NBTY, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Property, plant and equipment includes approximately $6,010 for assets
recorded under capital leases at September 30, 2002 and 2001. Accumulated
depreciation of these capital leases at September 30, 2002 and 2001 was
approximately $3,541 and $2,808, respectively.

7. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The carrying amount of acquired intangible assets is as follows:



September 30, 2002 September 30, 2001
----------------------- -----------------------
Gross Gross
carrying Accumulated carrying Accumulated Amortization
amount amortization amount amortization period (years)
-------- ------------ -------- ------------ --------------


Amortized intangible assets:
Customer lists $64,283 $18,668 $61,511 $15,107 6 - 15
Trademark and licenses 2,429 2,188 2,404 1,763 2 - 3
Covenants not to compete 2,605 1,848 2,405 1,540 5 - 7
------- ------- ------- -------

69,317 22,704 66,320 18,410
Unamortized intangible asset:
Trademark 1,800 - - -
------- ------- ------- -------

Total intangible assets $71,117 $22,704 $66,320 $18,410
======= ======= ======= =======


The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment for the fiscal
year ended September 30, 2002 are as follows:



Retail Retail
Puritan's Pride/ United United Kingdom/
Direct Response States Ireland Wholesale Consolidated
---------------- ------ --------------- --------- ------------


Balance at September 30, 2001 $16,202 $7,588 $110,536 $3,492 $137,818
Purchase price adjustments (1,005) - - 1,400 395
Foreign currency translation - - 6,786 - 6,786
------- ------ -------- ------ --------

Balance at September 30, 2002 $15,197 $7,588 $117,322 $4,892 $144,999
======= ====== ======== ====== ========


The Company currently has unamortized goodwill remaining from the
acquisition of Holland & Barrett ($113,089), NatureSmart ($15,164), NW
($7,510), Nature's Way ($4,234), Feeling Fine ($3,069), Global Group
($1,640), and other ($293), and the Company currently owns one trademark,
Knox ($1,800), all of which are subject to the provisions of SFAS 142. The
Company did not record any transition intangible asset impairment loss upon
adoption of SFAS 142. The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for
the year ended September 30, 2002 primarily related to the translation of
the Company's international subsidiaries into U.S. dollars.

Aggregate amortization expense of definite lived intangible assets included
in the consolidated statements of income under the caption "selling,
general and administrative expenses" in fiscal 2002, 2001 and 2000 was
approximately $4,329, $3,862 and $2,932, respectively.


F-14


NBTY, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Estimated amortization expense for the next five fiscal years is as
follows:

For the fiscal year ending September 30,




2003 $4,140
2004 $3,862
2005 $3,714
2006 $3,656
2007 $3,594


As required by SFAS 142, the results of prior fiscal years have not been
restated. A reconciliation of net income, as if SFAS 142 had been adopted,
is presented below for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2002, 2001 and
2000, exclusive of amortization expense that is related to goodwill that is
not being amortized:



Fiscal year ended September 30,
---------------------------------
2002 2001 2000
---- ---- ----


Reported net income $95,791 $41,925 $51,508
Addback: goodwill amortization - 6,082 6,294
------- ------- -------
Adjusted net income $95,791 $48,007 $57,802
======= ======= =======

Basic earnings per share
Reported net income $ 1.45 $ 0.64 $ 0.77
Addback: goodwill amortization - 0.09 0.09
------- ------- -------
Adjusted net income $ 1.45 $ 0.73 $ 0.86
======= ======= =======

Diluted earnings per share
Reported net income $ 1.41 $ 0.62 $ 0.74
Addback: goodwill amortization - 0.09 0.09
------- ------- -------
Adjusted net income $ 1.41 $ 0.71 $ 0.83
======= ======= =======


8. Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities



September 30,
--------------------
2002 2001
---- ----


Payroll and related taxes $11,117 $ 7,713
Customer deposits 10,114 13,220
Accrued purchases 12,770 4,206
Accrued interest 970 983
Income taxes payable 7,525 20,568
Other 16,218 17,186
------- -------

$58,714 $63,876
======= =======



F-15


NBTY, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

9. Long-Term Debt



September 30,
----------------------
2002 2001
---- ----


Senior debt:
8-5/8% Senior subordinated notes due 2007, net of unamortized
discount of $624 in 2002 and $748 in 2001 (a) $149,376 $149,252
Note payable due in monthly payments of $2, including interest
at 4%, maturing May 2009 142 162
Mortgages:
First mortgage payable in monthly principal and interest
(9.73%) installments of $25, maturing November 2009 1,555 1,713
First mortgage payable in monthly principal and interest
(7.375%) installments of $55, maturing May 2011 4,232 4,569
First mortgage payable in monthly principal and interest
(9.0%) installments of $3, maturing June 2011 183 197
Credit and Guarantee Agreement (b):
Term loan payable in quarterly principal and interest
installments of $2,700 - 31,200
Term loan payable in quarterly principal and interest
installments of $5,563, maturing June 2005 31,188 83,438
-------- --------

186,676 270,531

Less current portion 22,806 33,564
-------- --------

$163,870 $236,967
======== ========


(a) The 8-5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes (the "Notes") are unsecured and
subordinated in right of payment for all existing and future
indebtedness of the Company. The Notes provide for the payment of
interest semi-annually at the rate of 8-5/8% per annum.

(b) The CGA is comprised of two term loans and a revolving credit
facility. At September 30, 2002, there were borrowings of $31,188
under one term loan. This term loan has an annual borrowing rate of
4.422% and is payable in quarterly installments of $5,563. The
current portion of this term loan at September 30, 2002 was $22,250.
The Company repaid the other term loan during the third quarter 2002.
The $50,000 revolving credit facility expires on September 30, 2003
and was unused at September 30, 2002. A stand-by letter of credit of
$600 was outstanding under such facility at September 30, 2002. The
Company is required to pay a commitment fee, which varies between
.25% and .50% per annum, depending on the Company's ratio of debt to
EBITDA, on any unused portion of the revolving credit facility. The
CGA provides that loans be made under a selection of rate formulas,
including prime or Euro currency rates. Virtually all of the
Company's assets are collateralized under the CGA. In addition, the
Company is subject to the maintenance of various financial ratios and
covenants.




F-16


NBTY, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Required principal payments of long-term debt are as follows:



Fiscal year ending
September 30,
- ------------------


2003 $ 22,806
2004 9,540
2005 653
2006 707
2007 150,142
Thereafter 2,828
--------

$186,676
========


The fair value of the Company's long-term debt at September 30, 2002 and
2001, based upon current market rates, approximates the amounts disclosed
above.

10. Capital Lease Obligations

The Company enters into various capital leases for machinery and equipment,
which provide the Company with bargain purchase options at the end of such
lease terms. Future minimum payments under capital lease obligations as of
September 30, 2002 are as follows:



Fiscal year ending
September 30,
- ------------------


2003 $242
2004 4
2005 1
----

247
Less, amount representing interest 5
----
Present value of minimum lease payments
(including $238 due within one year) $242
====



F-17


NBTY, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

11. Income Taxes

Provision for income taxes consists of the following:



Fiscal year ended September 30,
---------------------------------
2002 2001 2000
---- ---- ----


Federal
Current $26,835 $14,713 $12,640
Deferred (4,386) (1,682) 4,551

State
Current 2,760 1,513 1,300
Deferred (451) (172) 468

Foreign provision 18,158 11,586 12,485
------- ------- -------

Total provision $42,916 $25,958 $31,444
======= ======= =======


The following is a reconciliation of the income tax expense computed using
the statutory Federal income tax rate to the actual income tax expense and
its effective income tax rate.



Fiscal year ended September 30,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 2001 2000
---------------------- ---------------------- ----------------------
Percent Percent Percent
of pretax of pretax of pretax
Amount income Amount income Amount income
------ --------- ------ --------- ------ ---------


Income tax expense at statutory rate $ 48,548 35.0% $ 23,759 35.0% $ 29,033 35.0%
State income taxes, net of federal
income tax benefit 1,501 1.1% 2,444 3.6% 2,986 3.6%
Amortization of goodwill - 2,277 3.3% 2,155 2.6%
Foreign income taxed at different rates (4,411) (3.2%) (1,596) (2.4%) (1,443) (1.7%)
Foreign tax credit (12,975) (9.4%) - - -
Valuation allowance 8,275 6.0% - - -
Other, individually less than 5% 1,978 1.4% (926) (1.3%) (1,287) (1.6%)
-------- ---- -------- ---- -------- ----

$ 42,916 30.9% $ 25,958 38.2% $ 31,444 37.9%
======== ==== ======== ==== ======== ====



F-18


NBTY, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The components of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows as of
September 30:



2002 2001
---- ----


Current
Inventory capitalization $ 954 $ 770
Accrued expenses and reserves not currently deductible 6,316 4,394
Intangibles - 13
Tax credits 13,375 13,375
Valuation allowance (8,275) (12,975)
-------- --------

Total deferred income tax assets 12,370 5,577
-------- --------

Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment (17,731) (17,020)
Intangibles (361) -
-------- --------

Total deferred income tax liabilities (18,092) (17,020)
-------- --------

Total net deferred income tax liabilities (5,722) (11,443)

Less current deferred income tax assets (11,206) (5,318)
-------- --------

Long-term deferred income taxes $(16,928) $(16,761)
======== ========


Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances, have been recognized to
the extent that, as of September 30, 2002, the likelihood of their
realization is more likely than not. The valuation allowance of $8,275
relates to foreign tax credits, which are not more likely than not
realizable. The decrease in the valuation allowance during fiscal 2002
resulted from the realization of foreign tax credits due to tax planning
strategies identified in fiscal 2002. The amount of deferred tax assets
considered realizable could be adjusted in the future as further tax
planning strategies are identified. The change in the valuation allowance
for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2002 and 2001 is as follows:



Fiscal year ended
September 30,
-----------------------
2002 2001
---- ----


Balance at October 1 $(12,975) $(12,975)
Utilization of foreign tax credit carryforwards 4,700 -
-------- --------

Balance at September 30 $ (8,275) $(12,975)
======== ========



F-19


NBTY, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

12. Commitments

Operating leases
The Company conducts retail operations under operating leases, which expire
at various dates through 2029. Some of the leases contain renewal options
and provide for contingent rent based upon sales plus certain tax and
maintenance costs.

Future minimum rental payments (excluding real estate tax and maintenance
costs) for retail locations and other leases that have initial or
noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year at September 30, 2002 are
as follows:



Fiscal year ending
September 30,
------------------


2003 $ 52,173
2004 47,024
2005 42,065
2006 38,715
2007 34,591
Thereafter 136,854
--------

$351,422
========


Operating lease rental expense (including real estate taxes and maintenance
costs) and leases on a month to month basis were approximately $68,104,
$62,355 and $54,749 for the years ended September 30, 2002, 2001 and 2000,
respectively.

Purchase commitments
The Company was committed to make future purchases under various purchase
arrangements with fixed price provisions aggregating approximately $13,304
at September 30, 2002.

Capital commitments
The Company had approximately $744 in open capital commitments at September
30, 2002, primarily related to manufacturing equipment as well as to
computer hardware and software. Also, the Company has a $15,800 commitment
for the construction of an automated warehouse over the next 18 months.

Employment and consulting agreements
The Company has employment agreements with two of its executive officers.
The agreements, initially entered into in October 2002, have a term of 5
years and are automatically renewed each year thereafter unless either
party notifies the other to the contrary. These agreements provide for
minimum salary levels and contain provisions regarding severance and
changes in control of the Company. The annual commitment for salaries to
these two officers as of September 30, 2002 was approximately $1,170.

The Company maintains a consulting agreement with Rudolph Management
Associates, Inc. for the services of Arthur Rudolph, a director of the
Company. The agreement requires Mr. Rudolph to provide consulting services
to the Company through December 31, 2002, in exchange for a consulting


F-20


NBTY, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

fee of $400 per year, payable monthly. In addition, Mr. Rudolph receives
certain fringe benefits accorded to other executives of the Company. The
Company currently intends to renew this consulting agreement for a period
of one year on substantially similar terms.

Four members of H&B's senior executive staff have service contracts
terminable by the Company upon twelve months notice. The annual aggregate
commitment for such H&B executive staff as of September 30, 2002 was
approximately $700.

Other
In the ordinary course of business, the Company has entered into a $600
stand-by letter of credit agreement under the CGA.

13. Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share ("EPS") computations are calculated utilizing the
weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the fiscal
years. Diluted EPS include the weighted average number of common shares
outstanding and the effect of common stock equivalents. The following is a
reconciliation between basic and diluted EPS:



Fiscal year ended September 30,
---------------------------------
2002 2001 2000
---- ---- ----


Numerator:
Numerator for basic EPS - income available to
common stockholders $95,791 $41,925 $51,508
======= ======= =======
Numerator for diluted EPS - income available to
common stockholders $95,791 $41,925 $51,508
======= ======= =======


Fiscal year ended September 30,
---------------------------------
2002 2001 2000
---- ---- ----


Denominator:
Denominator for basic EPS - weighted-average shares 65,952 65,774 67,327
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options 1,877 1,351 1,991
------- ------- -------
Denominator for diluted EPS - weighted-average shares 67,829 67,125 69,318
======= ======= =======

Net EPS:
Basic EPS $ 1.45 $ 0.64 $ 0.77
======= ======= =======

Diluted EPS $ 1.41 $ 0.62 $ 0.74
======= ======= =======


14. Stock Option Plans

On March 11, 1992, the Board approved the issuance of an aggregate of 5,400
stock options to directors and officers, exercisable at $0.31 per share and
expiring on March 10, 2002. During fiscal 1999, the Board approved the
issuance of 3,000 options expiring at varying dates in 2008 and 2009


F-21


NBTY, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

with exercise prices ranging from $4.75 to $6.19 per share. During fiscal
2000, the Board approved the issuance of 2,288 options expiring in 2010
with an exercise price of $5.88 per share. During fiscal 2001, the Board
approved the issuance of 805 options expiring in 2011 with an exercise
price of $5.47 per share. The exercise price of each of the aforementioned
issuances was at or in excess of the closing price on NASDAQ at the date
such options were granted. Stock options granted under the plans generally
become exercisable on grant date and have a maximum term of ten years. The
Company did not grant any stock options during fiscal 2002.

During fiscal 2002, options for 480 shares of common stock were exercised,
with an aggregate exercise price of $2,072 for which the Company received
cash proceeds of $1,899 and surrendered shares with a fair value of $173.
As a result of the exercise of those options, the Company received a
compensation deduction for tax purposes of approximately $3,882.
Accordingly, a tax benefit of approximately $1,409 was credited to capital
in excess of par. Also during fiscal 2002, the Company received an
additional compensation deduction of approximately $1,118 due to the early
disposition of certain incentive stock options exercised by employees.
Accordingly, a tax benefit of approximately $406 was credited to capital in
excess of par.

During fiscal 2001, options for 458 shares of common stock were exercised,
with an aggregate exercise price of $2,604. As a result of the exercise of
those options, the Company received a compensation deduction for tax
purposes of approximately $1,990. Accordingly, a tax benefit of
approximately $759 was credited to capital in excess of par. Also during
fiscal 2001, the Company received an additional compensation deduction of
approximately $1,299 due to the early disposition of certain incentive
stock options exercised by employees. Accordingly, a tax benefit of
approximately $500 was credited to capital in excess of par.

During fiscal 2000, options for 1,422 shares of common stock were
exercised, with an aggregate exercise price of $4,408. As a result of the
exercise of those options, the Company received a compensation deduction
for tax purposes of approximately $4,700. Accordingly, a tax benefit of
approximately $1,833 was credited to capital in excess of par.

A summary of stock option activity is as follows:



Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
---------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 2001 2000
--------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Weighted Weighted Weighted
average average average
Number exercise Number exercise Number exercise
of shares price of shares price of shares price
--------- -------- --------- -------- --------- --------


Outstanding at beginning of year 4,853 $5.62 4,536 $5.71 3,720 $4.53
Exercised (480) $4.32 (458) $5.67 (1,422) $2.87
Forfeited (30) $5.13 (50) $4.75
Granted 805 $5.47 2,288 $5.88
----- ----- ----- ----- ------ -----

Outstanding at end of year 4,373 $5.77 4,853 $5.62 4,536 $5.71
===== ===== ===== ===== ====== =====

Exercisable at end of year 4,373 $5.77 4,853 $5.62 4,536 $5.71
===== ===== ===== ===== ====== =====

Fair value of options granted during year $3.80 $3.64
===== =====



F-22


NBTY, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding
at September 30, 2002:



Options Outstanding Options Exercisable
-------------------------------------- -----------------------
Weighted
Average Weighted Weighted
Remaining Average Average
Range of Shares Contractual Exercise Shares Exercise
Exercise Prices Outstanding Life Price Exercisable Price
- --------------- ----------- ----------- -------- ----------- --------


$4.75 - $6.19 4,373 7.2 years $5.77 4,373 $5.77


The Company applies APB Opinion 25 and related interpretations in
accounting for stock options; accordingly, no compensation cost has been
recognized in the year of grant. Had compensation cost been determined
based upon the fair value of the stock options at grant date, consistent
with the method under SFAS No. 123, the Company's net income and earnings
per share for fiscal 2001 and 2000 would have been reduced to the following
pro forma amounts indicated. There were no grants during fiscal 2002.
Therefore, the pro forma and actual net income and related EPS are the same
as amounts reported.



Fiscal year ended September 30,
---------------------------------
2002 2001 2000
---- ---- ----


Net income attributable to common stockholders as reported $95,791 $41,925 $51,508
Pro forma net income $95,791 $40,034 $46,428
Basic EPS as reported $ 1.45 $ .64 $ .77
Diluted EPS as reported $ 1.41 $ .62 $ .74
Pro forma basic EPS $ 1.45 $ .61 $ .69
Pro forma diluted EPS $ 1.41 $ .60 $ .67


Under SFAS No. 123, the fair value of each option is estimated on the date
of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following
assumptions used for grants in 2000 and 2001: (a) expected life of option
of 4.8 years and 6.7 years; (b) dividend yield of 0%; (c) expected
volatility of 70%; and (d) risk-free interest rate of 6% and 5%,
respectively.

15. Employee Benefit Plans

The Company sponsors a 401(k) plan covering substantially all employees
with more than 6 months of service. As allowed under Section 401(k) of the
Internal Revenue Code, the Plan provides tax-deferred salary deductions for
eligible employees. Employees may contribute from 1% to 50% of their
annual compensation to the Plan, limited to a maximum annual amount as set
periodically by the Internal Revenue Service. Company contributions are 2%
of the participant's gross earnings to an annual maximum contribution of $4
per participant. Employees become fully vested in employer contributions
after 3 years of service.

The Company also sponsors an Employee Stock Ownership Plan and Trust (ESOP)
which covers substantially all employees who are employed at calendar year
end and have completed one year of service (providing they worked at least
1,000 hours during such plan year). The ESOP is designed to comply with
Section 4975(e)(7) and the regulations thereunder of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (Code) and is subject to the applicable provisions
of the Employee Retirement Income


F-23


NBTY, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). Contributions are made on a voluntary basis
by the Company. There is no minimum contribution required in any one year.
There are no contributions required or permitted to be made by an employee.
All contributions are allocated to participant accounts as defined.
Employees become vested in their respective accounts after 5 years of
service, provided the Plan is not considered top-heavy. If the Plan is
considered top-heavy, employees will become vested after 3 years of
service. For more information regarding the plan, please refer to the
Company's annual Form 11-K filings of the Plan.

The accompanying financial statements reflect contributions to these plans
in the approximate amount of $1,429, $1,480 and $1,670 for the fiscal years
ended September 30, 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively.

16. Litigation

A consolidated stockholder derivative action was filed in 2000 in the
Chancery Court in Delaware against certain officers and directors of the
Company. The derivative claim alleged that the named officers and
directors failed to disclose material facts during the period from January
27, 2000 to June 15, 2000, which purportedly resulted in a decline in the
price of the Company's stock after June 15, 2000. The derivative action
was voluntarily dismissed in December 2002. A consolidated stockholder
class action complaint filed in the Eastern District of New York in 2000,
predicated on the same facts, was dismissed by that court on September 28,
2002, and the case formally closed on October 31, 2002.

On July 25, 2002, a purported consumer class action was filed in New York
State Court against several manufacturers and retailers of so-called
prohormone supplements including the U.S. retail subsidiary of the Company.
Prohormones are substitutes such as androstenedione that plaintiffs allege
are hormone precursors ingested to promote muscle growth. Plaintiffs
allege that the advertising and labeling of certain pro hormone supplements
overstate their efficacy and do not fully disclose their risks, and seek
class certification and injunctive and monetary relief. The action was
severed into separate class actions against each of the defendants. On
December 6, 2002, an amended class action complaint was filed against the
U.S. retail subsidiary of the Company that purported to elaborate on the
claims initially alleged. The Company believes that this action is without
merit, and intends to move to dismiss the amended pleading and to
vigorously defend against the claims asserted. However, because this
action is in its early stages, no determination can be made at this time as
to the final outcome.

On August 28, 2001, the Company was also named as a defendant, along with
other companies, in a purported class action commenced in an Alabama state
court. Plaintiffs allege that NBTY manufactured and marketed misbranded
nutrition bars and seek class certification, injunctive declaratory, and
monetary relief. Class discovery is being taken, and a hearing is
currently scheduled for the spring of 2003 to determine whether a class
should be certified. NBTY is vigorously defending class certification on
the basis that the plaintiffs were not damaged as alleged as a result of
any action by NBTY. In addition, NBTY contends that this matter is not
appropriate for class certification because the named plaintiffs are
inadequate class representatives and not typical of persons who purchased
the nutrition bars in these proceedings.

On October 3, 2002, the Company was named as a defendant in a second
purported class action commenced in the same Alabama state court as the
above-identified litigation. Plaintiffs, in an attempt to pursue several
retailers, including NBTY, and not manufacturers of nutrition bars, allege


F-24


NBTY, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

that NBTY marketed misbranded nutrition bars. In November 2002, NBTY filed
a motion to dismiss or abate the lawsuit based on the principle that the
court lacks subject-matter jurisdiction because the earlier-filed lawsuit,
which seeks identical relief for the same purported class action against
the manufacturers, preempts this second attempt to certify a class against
NBTY. The Company believes that both Alabama suits are without merit.
However, no determination can be made as of the date of this report as to
the final outcome of these suits.

In addition to the foregoing, other claims, suits and complaints arise in
the ordinary course of the Company's business. The Company believes that
such other claims, suits and complaints would not have a material adverse
effect on the Company's consolidated financial condition or results of
operations, if adversely determined against the Company.

The Company is a plaintiff in a vitamin antitrust litigation brought in the
United States District Court in the District of Columbia against F.
Hoffman-La Roche Ltd. and others for alleged price fixing. Certain of the
defendants have pleaded guilty in criminal proceedings arising from the
same set of facts. Partial settlements with certain defendants have been
made and negotiations with other defendants are currently being held. In
fiscal 2002 and 2000, the Company received $21,354 and $2,511,
respectively, in partial settlement of ongoing price fixing litigation.

17. Segment Information

The Company's segments are organized by sales market on a worldwide basis.
The Company's management reporting system evaluates performance based on a
number of factors; however, the primary measure of performance is the pre-
tax operating income or loss (prior to corporate allocations) of each
segment. The Company's segment reporting disclosures have been changed to
exclude corporate general and administrative allocations, as this is the
key performance indicator reviewed by management. Prior periods presented
have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
Operating income or loss for each segment does not include corporate
general and administrative expenses, interest expense and other
miscellaneous income/expense items. Such unallocated expenses remain in
the corporate segment. The U.K./Ireland retail operations do not include
any transfer pricing absorption.

The Company reports four worldwide segments: Puritan's Pride/Direct
Response, Retail: United States, Retail: United Kingdom/Ireland, and
Wholesale. All of the Company's products fall into one of these four
segments. The Puritan's Pride/Direct Response segment generates revenue
through the sale of its products primarily through mail order catalog and
the Internet. Catalogs are strategically mailed to customers who order by
mail or phoning customer service representatives in New York, Illinois or
the United Kingdom. The Retail United States segment generates revenue
through the sale of proprietary brand and third-party products through its
544 Company-operated stores. The Retail United Kingdom/Ireland segment
generates revenue through the sale of proprietary brand and third-party
products in 468 Company-operated stores. The Wholesale segment (including
Network Marketing) is comprised of several divisions each targeting
specific market groups. These market groups include wholesalers,
distributors, chains, pharmacies, health food stores, bulk and
international customers.


F-25


NBTY, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following table represents key financial information of the Company's
business segments (in thousands, except for number of locations):



Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
-------------------------------------
2002 2001 2000
---- ---- ----


Puritan's Pride/Direct Response
Revenue $ 183,313 $ 172,203 $ 182,693
Operating income 66,273 67,264 67,714
Depreciation and amortization 5,347 4,991 4,019
Identifiable assets 67,337 71,821 69,513
Capital expenditures 925 407 1,980

Retail:
United States
Revenue $ 198,602 $ 174,987 $ 149,055
Operating loss (4,975) (12,737) (7,722)
Depreciation and amortization 13,235 13,820 11,314
Identifiable assets 73,278 79,401 78,672
Capital expenditures 4,633 9,118 25,173
Locations open at end of year 544 525 476

United Kingdom/Ireland
Revenue $ 290,881 $ 262,876 $ 248,602
Operating income 79,420 59,654 45,459
Depreciation and amortization 8,295 12,564 12,282
Identifiable assets 225,471 220,662 200,373
Capital expenditures 3,773 7,829 13,949
Locations open at end of year 468 461 427

Wholesale:
Revenue $ 291,287 $ 196,832 $ 140,506
Operating income 60,197 27,234 31,060
Depreciation and amortization 1,155 1,434 1,100
Identifiable assets 36,123 51,451 17,003
Capital expenditures 1,370 1,310 1,486

Corporate:
Recovery of raw material costs $ 21,354 $ - $ 2,511
Corporate expenses (66,623) (54,322) (41,703)
Depreciation and amortization - manufacturing 9,909 8,291 6,950
Depreciation and amortization - other 4,251 3,846 2,836
Corporate manufacturing identifiable assets 332,468 285,127 238,052
Capital expenditures - manufacturing 5,677 9,916 4,439
Capital expenditures - other 5,111 8,617 4,759



F-26


NBTY, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------



Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
------------------------------------
2002 2001 2000
---- ---- ----


Consolidated totals:
Revenue $964,083 $806,898 $720,856
Operating income 155,646 87,093 97,319
Depreciation and amortization 42,192 44,946 38,501
Identifiable assets 734,677 708,462 603,613
Capital expenditures 21,489 37,197 51,786

Revenue by location of customer
United States $658,732 $530,361 $458,543
United Kingdom/Ireland 290,881 262,876 248,602
Other foreign countries 14,470 13,661 13,711
-------- -------- --------

Consolidated totals $964,083 $806,898 $720,856
======== ======== ========

Long-lived assets
United States $257,308 $267,690 $238,019
United Kingdom 152,349 147,254 148,269
-------- -------- --------

Consolidated totals $409,657 $414,944 $386,288
======== ======== ========


18. Related Party Transactions

An entity owned by a relative of a director received sales commissions of
$585, $501 and $520 in fiscal 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively, and had
trade receivable balances approximating $3,632 and $3,142 at September 30,
2002 and 2001, respectively.

An entity owned by a relative of a director performed landscaping and
maintenance on the Company's properties and received compensation of $93,
$128 and $80 in 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively.


F-27


NBTY, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

19. Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)

The following is a summary of the unaudited quarterly results of operations
for fiscal 2002 and 2001:



Quarter ended
-------------------------------------------------------
December 31, March 31, June 30, September 30,
------------ --------- -------- -------------


2002:
Net sales $215,090 $251,544 $251,987 $245,462
Gross profit 114,180 138,555 140,080 137,657
Income before income taxes 18,153 41,581 49,286 29,687
Net income 11,164 25,571 29,707 29,349
Net income per diluted share $ .17 $ .38 $ .44 $ .43 (b)

2001:
Net sales $166,829 $224,775 $203,926 $211,368
Gross profit 92,324 126,971 116,466 115,970
Income before income taxes 1,038 29,183 21,734 15,928 (a)
Net income 639 17,948 13,366 9,972
Net income per diluted share $ .01 $ .27 $ .20 $ .15 (b)


(a) A year-end inventory adjustment resulted in an increase to pre-tax
income of approximately $3,900 in 2001. This adjustment was due to
the Company utilizing the gross profit method to value inventory
during interim periods and the year-end valuation of the Company's
annual physical inventory.

(b) Amounts may not equal fiscal year totals due to rounding.



20. Subsequent Event

On December 11, 2002, the Company signed a letter of intent to purchase a
chain of health food stores located throughout the Netherlands for
approximately [Euro] 16,500 (approximately $16,620) in cash. The chain has
annual net sales of approximately $30,219. The transaction, which is
subject to certain Dutch approvals, is expected to be completed in the
first quarter of 2003.


F-28


SCHEDULE II

NBTY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
For the years ended September 30, 2002, 2001 and 2000




(Dollars in thousands)

Column A Column B Column C Column D Column E
Additions
Balance at Charged to Charged to Balance at
beginning costs and Other end of
Description of period expenses Accounts Deductions period
----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------



Fiscal year ended September 30, 2002:
Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 3,222 $1,064 $ (92)(a) $ 4,194
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets $12,975 $(4,700)(b) $ 8,275

Fiscal year ended September 30, 2001
Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 1,227 $2,014 $ (19)(a) $ 3,222
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets $12,975 $12,975

Fiscal year ended September 30, 2000
Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 1,248 $ 6 $ (27)(a) $ 1,227
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets $12,975 $12,975

- --------------------

(a) Uncollectible accounts written off.
(b) Utilization of foreign tax credits.




S-1


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

NBTY, Inc.
(Registrant)


By: /s/ Scott Rudolph
------------------------------------
Scott Rudolph
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Dated: December 18, 2002

Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, this Report has been
signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in
the capacities and on the dates indicated.




Signature Title Date
--------- ----- ----


/s/ Scott Rudolph Chairman and
- -------------------------- Chief Executive Officer
Scott Rudolph (Principal Executive Officer) December 18, 2002

/s/ Harvey Kamil President and Chief
- -------------------------- Financial Officer
Harvey Kamil (Principal Operating Officer,
Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer) December 18, 2002


/s/ Arthur Rudolph Director December 18, 2002
- --------------------------
Arthur Rudolph


/s/ Aram Garabedian Director December 18, 2002
- --------------------------
Aram Garabedian


/s/ Bernard G. Owen Director December 18, 2002
- --------------------------
Bernard G. Owen







Signature Title Date
--------- ----- ----


/s/ Alfred Sacks Director December 18, 2002
- --------------------------
Alfred Sacks


/s/ Murray Daly Director December 18, 2002
- --------------------------
Murray Daly


/s/ Glenn Cohen Director December 18, 2002
- --------------------------
Glenn Cohen


/s/ Nathan Rosenblatt Director December 18, 2002
- --------------------------
Nathan Rosenblatt


/s/ Michael L. Ashner Director December 18, 2002
- --------------------------
Michael L. Ashner


/s/ Michael C. Slade Director December 18, 2002
- --------------------------
Michael C. Slade


/s/ Peter White Director December 18, 2002
- --------------------------
Peter White





CERTIFICATIONS
--------------

I, Scott Rudolph, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of NBTY, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
necessary to name the statements made, in light of the circumstances
under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to
the period covered by this annual report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
information included in this annual report, fairly present in all
material respects the financial condition, results of operations and
cash flows of the registrant as of , and for, the periods presented
in the annual report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant
and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that
material information relating to the registrant, including its
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within
those entities, particularly during the period in which this
annual report is being prepared;

(b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure
controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to
the filing date of this annual report (the "Evaluation Date");
and

(c) Presented in this annual report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based
on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed,
based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and
the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons
performing the equivalent functions);

(a) All significant deficiencies in the design or operation of
internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's
ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data
and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material
weaknesses in internal controls; and





(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or
other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's
internal controls; and

6. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in
this annual report whether there were significant changes in internal
controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal
controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation,
including any corrective action with regard to significant
deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Dated: December 19, 2002
--

Signature:


/s/ Scott Rudolph
------------------------------------
Scott Rudolph
Principal Executive Officer


2


CERTIFICATIONS
--------------

I, Harvey Kamil, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of NBTY, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
necessary to name the statements made, in light of the circumstances
under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to
the period covered by this annual report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
information included in this annual report, fairly present in all
material respects the financial condition, results of operations and
cash flows of the registrant as of , and for, the periods presented
in the annual report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant
and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that
material information relating to the registrant, including its
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within
those entities, particularly during the period in which this
annual report is being prepared;

(b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure
controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to
the filing date of this annual report (the "Evaluation Date");
and

(c) Presented in this annual report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based
on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed,
based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and
the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons
performing the equivalent functions);

(a) All significant deficiencies in the design or operation of
internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's
ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data
and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material
weaknesses in internal controls; and





(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or
other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's
internal controls; and

6. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in
this annual report whether there were significant changes in internal
controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal
controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation,
including any corrective action with regard to significant
deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Dated: December 19, 2002
--

Signature:


/s/ Harvey Kamil
------------------------------------
Harvey Kamil
Principal Financial Officer


2