Bill McCollum (R)
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum on Friday said his office and a Broward County-based vitamin distributor have reached an agreement after investigators revealed the company sold expired products.
Beginning in November 2007, the state's Economic Crimes Division began investigating Global Source Management & Consulting Inc. -- also known as Vitamin Hut, and owner Gary R. Dubin -- after receiving a series of complaints the company had sold expired vitamins.
The state, working in cooperation with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, said the company allegedly sold expired vitamins to consumers after deleting or changing the printed expiration dates on vitamin products.
Further, the company would allegedly re-package the products in an attempt to conceal its actions.
Under the terms of the settlement, Dubin agreed to close or sell his business and to never again participate directly or indirectly in the retail vitamin business.
The company must also pay $150,000 in fines and penalties, along with reimbursing the state's fees and costs.