IVC INDUSTRIES INC
8-K, 1999-07-28
PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

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

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                Date of Report (date of earliest event reported)
                                  July 13, 1999
                                  -------------

                              IVC INDUSTRIES, INC.
                              --------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                                    Delaware
                                    --------
                 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

              0-23624                                    22-1567481
              -------                                    ----------
      (Commission file number)              (IRS employer identification number)

                 500 Halls Mill Road, Freehold, New Jersey 07728
                 -----------------------------------------------
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

                  Registrant's telephone number: (732) 308-3000

<PAGE>

ITEM 2. ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS

      On July 13, 1999, IVC Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("IVC"),
completed the sale of all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock
and thereby the business of Vitamin Specialties Corp. ("VSC"), a Pennsylvania
corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of IVC, to Archon Vitamin Corporation, a
New Jersey corporation ("Archon").

      The assets of VSC consist primarily of leases for its 16 retail stores
located in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, its mail order operations and its
inventory located in the retail stores and IVC's warehouse in Freehold, New
Jersey. As VSC represents less than 10% of the total assets of IVC, pro forma
financial information is not required to be submitted with this report.

      The purchase price for all of the issued and outstanding shares of VSC was
$1.8 million, which will be paid in monthly installments equal to 5% of VSC's
gross sales until such time as the aggregate payments total $1.8 million;
provided, however, that for each of the first 36 months following the closing,
Archon must pay to IVC the greater of $10,000 or 5% of VSC's gross sales.

      VSC will pay IVC for the inventory located at the retail stores at cost,
offset by the amount of VSC's accounts payable owed to third parties at the time
of closing, in twelve equal monthly installments The cost of the retail
inventory supplied to VSC by parties not related to IVC will be the amount paid
by IVC to such third party and the cost of the retail inventory supplied to VSC
by IVC will be IVC's manufacturing cost. In addition, VSC will pay IVC's
manufacturing cost for the inventory specific to VSC located in IVC's warehouse
in Freehold, New Jersey in twenty-four equal monthly installments.

ITEM. 7 EXHIBITS

1.    Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 13, 1999, between Archon
      Vitamin Corporation, a New Jersey corporation, and IVC Industries, Inc., a
      Delaware corporation.

2.    Closing Agreement, dated as of July 13, 1999, between Archon Vitamin
      Corporation, a New Jersey corporation, and IVC Industries, Inc., a
      Delaware corporation.


                                       2
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, IVC
Industries, Inc. has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                    IVC INDUSTRIES, INC.


                                    By: /s/ Domenic Golato
                                        -----------------------------
                                        Domenic Golato
                                        Chief Financial Officer

Date: July 28, 1999


                                       3
<PAGE>

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit     Description
- -------     -----------

1.          Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 13, 1999, between Archon
            Vitamin Corporation, a New Jersey Corporation and IVC Industries,
            Inc., a Delaware corporation.

2.          Closing Agreement, dated as of July 13, 1999, between Archon Vitamin
            Corporation, a New Jersey corporation, and IVC Industries, Inc., a
            Delaware corporation.


                                       4
<PAGE>

                                    SCHEDULE

The schedules and exhibits to the Stock Purchase Agreement are omitted pursuant
to Rule 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. This schedule contains summary information
extracted from the schedules to the Stock Purchase Agreement and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to such schedules. Capitalized terms used herein
without definition shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in
the Stock Purchase Agreement.

Schedules attached to Stock Purchase Agreement

Schedule A: Retail Stores

      Lists the addresses of each of the Retail Stores.

Schedule B: Payables Schedule

      Lists VSC's accounts payable owed to third parties at Closing.

Schedule C: Vitamin Specialties Corporation's Specific Inventory in Freehold
Warehouse

      Lists the inventory specific to VSC in IVC's warehouse in Freehold, New
      Jersey.

Schedule D: Opinion of Seller's Counsel

Schedule E: Disclosure Letter

      Discloses certain information with respect to VSC as such information
      relates to the representations and warranties made by IVC in the Stock
      Purchase Agreement.

Schedule F: July Rent

      Sets forth payments made by IVC for the rent of the Retail Stores during
      the month of July.


                                       5



                           Stock Purchase Agreement

This Stock Purchase Agreement ("Agreement") is made as of July 13, 1999, between
Archon Vitamin Corporation, a New Jersey corporation ("Buyer") and IVC
Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Seller") for the acquisition of
Vitamin Specialties Corp., a Pennsylvania corporation ("Company").

RECITALS

Seller desires to sell, and Buyer desires to purchase, all of the issued and
outstanding shares (the "Shares") of capital stock of the Company and thereby
the business of the Company consisting of the Retail Stores and the Mail Order
Division (the "Business") for the consideration and on the terms set forth in
this Agreement.

AGREEMENT

The parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

1     DEFINITIONS

All Capitalize words used and appearing in this Agreement are defined herein.
Certain common terms are defined in this section. Transaction specific terms are
generally defined in the context where they are used.

1.1   Applicable Contract means any contract (a) under which the Company has or
      may acquire any rights, (b) under which the Company has or may become
      subject to any obligation or liability, or (c) by which the Company or any
      of the assets owned or used by the Company is or may become bound.

1.2   Contemplated Transactions means all of the transactions contemplated by
      this Agreement.

1.3   Encumbrance means any charge, claim, community property interest,
      condition, equitable interest, lien, option, pledge, security interest,
      right of first refusal, or restriction of any kind, including any
      restriction on use, voting, transfer, or exercise of any other attribute
      of ownership.

1.4   "Environmental, Health, and Safety Liabilities"--any cost, damages,
      expense, liability, obligation, or other responsibility arising from or
      under Environmental Law or Occupational Safety and Health Law and
      consisting of or relating to:

      1.4.1 any environmental, health, or safety matters or conditions
            (including on-site or off- site contamination, occupational safety
            and health, and regulation of chemical substances or products);

      1.4.2 fines, penalties, judgments, awards, settlements, legal or
            administrative proceedings, damages, losses, claims, demands and
            response, investigative, remedial, or inspection costs and expenses
            arising under Environmental Law or


                                       -1-
<PAGE>

            Occupational Safety and Health Law;

      1.4.3 financial responsibility under Environmental Law or Occupational
            Safety and Health Law for cleanup costs or corrective action,
            including any investigation, cleanup, removal, containment, or other
            remediation or response actions ("Cleanup") required by applicable
            Environmental Law or Occupational Safety and Health Law (whether or
            not such Cleanup has been required or requested by any Governmental
            Body or any other Person) and for any natural resource damages; or

      1.4.4 any other compliance, corrective, investigative, or remedial
            measures required under Environmental Law or Occupational Safety and
            Health Law.

      1.4.5 The terms "removal," "remedial," and "response action," include the
            types of activities covered by the United States Comprehensive
            Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C.
            ss. 9601 et seq., as amended ("CERCLA").

1.5   Environmental Law means Legal Requirements designed to minimize, prevent,
      punish, or remedy the consequences of actions that damage or threaten the
      environment or public health or safety.

1.6   Facilities means the premises of the Retail Stores.

1.7   Governmental Authorization means any approval, consent, license, permit,
      waiver, or other authorization issued, granted, given, or otherwise made
      available by or under the authority of any Governmental Body or pursuant
      to any Legal Requirement.

1.8   Governmental Body means any (a) nation, state, county, city, town,
      village, district or other jurisdiction of any nature; (b) federal, state,
      local, municipal, foreign, or other government; (c) governmental or
      quasi-governmental authority of any nature (including any governmental
      agency, branch, department, official, or entity and any court or other
      tribunal); (d) multi-national organization or body; or (e) body
      exercising, or entitled to exercise, any administrative, executive,
      judicial, legislative, police, regulatory, or taxing authority or power of
      any nature.

1.9   "Hazardous Activity" means the distribution, generation, handling,
      importing, management, manufacturing, processing, production, refinement,
      release, storage, transfer, transportation, treatment, or use of Hazardous
      Materials in, on, under, about, or from the Facilities or any part thereof
      into the Environment.

1.10  "Hazardous Materials"means any waste or other substance that is listed,
      defined, designated, or classified as, or otherwise determined to be,
      hazardous, radioactive, or toxic or a pollutant or a contaminant under or
      pursuant to any Environmental Law.

1.11  Legal Requirement means any federal, state, local, municipal, or other
      administrative order, constitution, law, ordinance, principle of common
      law, regulation, statute or treaty.

1.12  "Occupational Safety and Health Law"--any Legal Requirement designed to
      provide safe and healthful working conditions, to reduce occupational
      safety and health hazards.

1.13  Order means any award, decision, injunction, judgment, order, ruling,
      subpoena, or verdict entered, issued, made or rendered by any court,
      administrative agency, or other Governmental Body or by any arbitrator in
      binding arbitration.

1.14  Organizational Documents means for a corporation the articles or
      certificate of


                                       -2-
<PAGE>

      incorporation, the bylaws, and any amendment to the foregoing.

1.15  Person means any individual, corporation, general or limited partnership,
      limited liability company, joint venture, estate, trust, association,
      organization, or other entity or Governmental Body.

1.16  Proceeding means any action, arbitration, audit, hearing, investigation,
      litigation, or suit (whether civil, criminal, or administrative)
      commenced, brought, conducted, or heard by or before, or otherwise
      involving, any Governmental Body.

1.17  "Related Person"--with respect to a particular individual:

      1.17.1  each other member of such individual's Family;

      1.17.2  any Person that is directly or indirectly controlled by such
              individual or one or more members of such individual's Family;

      1.17.3  any Person in which such individual or members of such
              individual's Family hold (individually or in the aggregate) a
              Material Interest; and

      1.17.4  any Person with respect to which such individual or one or more
              members of such individual's Family serves as a director,
              officer, partner, executor, or trustee (or in a similar
              capacity).

      With respect to a specified Person other than an individual:

      1.17.5  any Person that directly or indirectly controls, is directly or
              indirectly controlled by, or is directly or indirectly under
              common control with such specified Person;

      1.17.6  any Person that holds a Material Interest in such specified
              Person;

      1.17.7  each Person that serves as a director, officer, partner,
              executor, or trustee of such specified Person (or in a similar
              capacity);

      1.17.8  any Person in which such specified Person holds a Material
              Interest;

      1.17.9  any Person with respect to which such specified Person serves as
              a general partner or a trustee (or in a similar capacity); and

      1.17.10 any Related Person of any individual described in clause (b) or
              (c).

      For purposes of this definition, (a) the "Family" of an individual
      includes (i) the individual, (ii) the individual's spouse [and former
      spouses], and (iii) any other natural person who is related to the
      individual or the individual's spouse within the second degree, and (b)
      "Material Interest" means direct or indirect beneficial ownership (as
      defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of voting
      securities or other voting interests representing at least 25% of the
      outstanding voting power of a Person or equity securities or other equity
      interests representing at least 25% of the outstanding equity securities
      or equity interests in a Person.

1.18  Tax means any tax (including any income tax, capital gains tax, value
      added tax, sales tax property tax, gift tax, or estate tax), levy,
      assessment, tariff, duty (including any customs duty), deficiency, or
      other fee, and any related charge or amount (including any fine, penalty,
      interest, or addition to tax), imposed, assessed, or collected by or under
      the authority of any Governmental Body or payable pursuant to any
      tax-sharing agreement or any other contract relating to the sharing or
      payment of any such tax, levy, assessment, tariff, duty, deficiency, or
      fee.


                                       -3-
<PAGE>

1.19  Tax Returns means any return (including any information return), report,
      statement, schedule, notice, form, or other document or information filed
      with or submitted to, or required to be filed with or submitted to, any
      Governmental Body in connection with the determination, assessment,
      collection, or payment of any Tax or in connection with the
      administration, implementation, or enforcement of or compliance with any
      Legal Requirement relating to any Tax.

2     PURCHASE TERMS

2.1   Stock and Business. The Seller will sell and deliver to Buyer, free and
      clear of all liens and encumbrances, all of the issued and outstanding
      shares ("Shares") of capital stock of Company.

2.2   Purchase Price. Following the Closing, the Company shall pay Seller a
      royalty of five percent (5%) of the Company's gross sales of the Business
      until such time as the aggregate royalty paid under this provision totals
      One Million Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,800,000) (the "Purchase
      Price"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, for each of the first thirty-six
      months following the Closing, the Company shall pay to Seller the greater
      of the following amounts (a) $10,000.00 (the "Minimum Payment") or (b) 5%
      of the month's gross retail sales of the Business (the "Royalty").

2.3   Payment Terms. All payments to be made under Section 2.2 will be monthly,
      beginning on the 15th day of the first month following the Closing and on
      the 15th day of each month thereafter in accordance with Section 2.2. The
      Company shall provide Seller on a quarterly basis with complete and
      accurate gross sales reports for the Business upon which the Royalty
      payments are made. The first gross sales report hereunder shall be
      provided by the Company by or before October 15, 1999, and quarterly
      thereafter.

2.4   Company May Terminate Operations. The Company is under no obligation to
      continue or to pursue operations of the Business. In the event that the
      Company terminates operation of the Business any time during the first
      thirty six months, the Company must nonetheless make the Minimum Payments
      of $10,000.00 per month for the first thirty-six months as provided in
      Section 2.2 and the Additional Payments specified in Section 3, but
      Company is not required to make any other payments of Royalty to Seller.
      For the purpose of this provision, the Company will not be considered to
      have terminated operations if Company, Buyer, or an affiliate of Buyer
      continues the Business or any substantially similar business under one or
      more different trade names. In such cases, termination has not occurred,
      and Seller is still entitled to Royalty payments or Minimum Payments from
      the newly named entity in accordance with the terms hereof.

3     ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS

Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company agrees to
make the


                                       -4-
<PAGE>

following additional payments (the "Additional Payments"):

3.1   Accounts Payables. The Company shall be responsible for any and all of
      Company's accounts payable owed to third parties at Closing ("Accounts
      Payable"), provided:

      3.1.1 the Accounts Payable are disclosed to Buyer at or before the Closing
            on Schedule A ("Payables Schedule",);

      3.1.2 the Accounts Payable are trade accounts payable;

      3.1.3 the total amount of the Accounts Payable does not exceed the cost of
            the Retail Inventory as provided in section 3.3; and

      3.1.4 the Accounts Payable are not owed to Seller or affiliates of Seller.

      The term trade Accounts Payable as used in this section references
      payments for purchases of inventory and excludes other debts of Company
      such as, without limitation, tort claims, loans, rent, utility costs or
      payroll obligations. The Accounts Payable meeting the conditions of 3.1.1.
      through and 3.1.4 are referred to herein as the "Assumed Payables".

      The Assumed Payables will be excluded from Seller's indemnity provided in
      section 9. Buyer indemnifies in section 9 Seller for liability for the
      Assumed Payables.

3.2   AP Offset. The Company is entitled to offset the amount of the Assumed
      Payables against its obligation to pay for the Retail Inventory (as
      provided in section 3.3). The amount of the offset for the Assumed
      Payables will be determined based upon the amount reflected on Schedule A.

3.3   Inventory Located in Retail Stores.

      3.3.1 In addition to the Purchase Price and other payments required
            herein, the Company will pay Seller for the inventory of the Company
            that is located in the Retail Stores (the "Retail Inventory") at
            Cost. Cost of the Retail Inventory will be determined as follows:
            (a) for inventory supplied by parties not related to Seller or the
            Company, the Cost will be the amount paid by or on behalf of the
            Company to such third party vendor for the product; (b) for
            inventory supplied to the Company by Seller, the Cost will be
            determined by Seller's "Manufacturing Cost" as currently reflected
            by the books and records of the Seller, subject to the review and
            consent of the Buyer.

      3.3.2 The amount of the payment to be made by the Company to Seller under
            Section 3.3.1 for the Retail Inventory shall be determined by first
            subtracting the amount of the Assumed Payables from the total Cost
            of Retail Inventory and dividing the remaining amount into twelve
            equal payments. The first payment to be made hereunder shall be due
            on the first day of the third month following the Closing


                                       -5-
<PAGE>

            and subsequent payments shall be due on each successive first day of
            the month until the twelve payments are completed. No interest will
            be charged in connection with timely payments. A penalty shall be
            assessed against and paid by the Company for any monthly payment due
            under this section that is not received by Seller by the 15th of
            each month. The amount of the penalty shall be equal to 5% of the
            amount of the overdue payment. The Seller shall be deemed to be in
            receipt of any payment as of the date the payment is deposited in
            the U.S. mail or upon physical receipt by Seller.

      3.3.3 The inventory contained in the Retail Stores shall be counted and
            identified by an inventory inspection (the "Inspection") conducted
            within five (5) days of the date of the Closing by employees of the
            Company. The Inspection shall be conducted in accordance with the
            standards and methodologies previously employed by the Company when
            conducting, in the ordinary course of business, annual and or
            periodic inventory counts. The results of the inventory inspection
            shall be adjusted as necessary to account for sales taking place
            prior to, during or after the Inspection, as the case may be. Items
            which are out of date or physically damaged will be deducted from
            the inventory and returned to Seller.

3.4   Inventory Located in Seller's Warehouse in Freehold, New Jersey. Within
      fifteen (15) days of the Closing, Buyer shall inspect the inventory
      specific to the Company located in Seller's warehouse in Freehold, New
      Jersey, identified on Schedule B. Any and all inventory that is listed on
      Schedule B but not physically present in Seller's warehouse at the time of
      the inspection and inventory that is out of date or physically damaged as
      identified and agreed upon by Buyer and Seller shall be excluded from the
      inventory to be purchased under this section ("Subject Inventory"). Only
      inventory listed on Schedule B will be included in Subject Inventory.
      Within ten (10) days of the completion of the inspection and upon Seller's
      receipt of proof of insurance, as provided herein, the Seller shall ship
      to Buyer's warehouse located in Irvington, New Jersey the Subject
      Inventory.

      The Company shall pay Seller an amount equal to the Manufacturing Cost of
      the Subject Inventory as shown on Schedule B. The Company shall pay for
      such inventory in twenty four (24) equal payments beginning on the first
      day of the third month following shipment of the Subject Inventory. Prior
      to shipment, the Company will provide Seller with proof of property,
      casualty and fire insurance providing coverage against damage to the
      Subject Inventory while located in Buyer's warehouse in an amount equal to
      the total payment to be made under this section 3.4. In the event of a
      damage to the Subject Inventory while in Buyer's warehouse that is an
      insured loss covered under the Buyer's policy of insurance, Buyer and
      Company agree to endorse over and assign to Seller any payment and/or
      benefit received or to be received by Buyer and/or Company from the
      insurer relating to such loss to the extent of the amount of the remaining
      payment due under this section 3.4 as of the date of such insurance
      payment or benefit.


                                       -6-
<PAGE>

3.5   Leases. The Seller agrees that for each of the Retail Store premises under
      the sixteen leases furnished to Buyer in connection with the Disclosure
      Letter the Company will have (subject to the limitations of the lease
      terms relating to the use thereof) full access to and use to the premises
      on a month-to-month basis from the day of Closing until the earlier of: 1)
      the expiration of such Retail Store lease term (including renewals); or 2)
      the Retail Store lease has been assigned or the lessor has consented to
      the continuation of such lease consistent with the provisions of section
      3.6. The Seller represents that such use shall be sufficient to carry on
      the present business of the Company (with the Seller holding Buyer
      harmless from any liability asserted by the lessors of the Retail Stores
      for any lease defaults resulting from Seller permitting the Company such
      access and use) Company agrees to pay Seller rent equal to the rent
      charged by the lessor under the terms of the current leases to Seller for
      each of the Retail Stores occupied by the Company after the Closing.
      Company agrees to direct such payments to the lessors, if so requested by
      the Seller.

3.6   Assignment of Leases. Following the Closing, Seller will use its best
      efforts to obtain from with all the lessors of the Retail Stores any or
      all consents required under the lease terms in the event of the sale of
      the Company by Seller to a third party. In any case, no change in the
      lease adverse to Buyer's interests will be permitted at the time of the
      assignment. Seller will pay all costs of seeking such assignments or
      consents, including, without limitation, any administrative, legal, tax or
      other charges in connection with any such assignment.

      In the event that Seller is unable within six months to arrange the
      necessary lease assignment, on terms no less favorable than under the
      current lease, Company shall be free to: 1) negotiate with lessor a new
      lease acceptable to Company; or 2) vacate the premises. If Company
      exercises the second option in the preceding sentence, Company will be
      under no further obligation to pay Seller rent for such premises or any
      liability of Seller under the lease agreement for such premises. Seller
      will not be required to pay damages, increased rent, lost profits or any
      other liability to Company and/or Buyer as a result of the failure to
      obtain the necessary lease assignment. Seller shall cooperate with Buyer
      in Buyer's efforts to continue such leases under terms favorable to Buyer.

      Buyer agrees to cooperate with Seller in its efforts to obtain an
assignment for the leases, to provide Seller with such financial information as
may be required by the lessors, and to use reasonable efforts to otherwise
assist with such transfer. Company agrees, at completion of the assignment to
Company of each lease to reimburse Seller for all security deposits on that
lease, and provided further that Seller expressly represents that after due
inquiry there are no known or anticipated claims relating to the period before
the Closing against such deposits.

3.7   Adjustment Amounts. Within five (5) business days of the Closing, the
      Company will pay Seller a Rent Adjustment Amount for the rent of the
      Retail Stores for the portion of July falling after the Closing. Schedule
      F shows the July rent payments by Seller and such


                                       -7-
<PAGE>

      payment will be prorated to the period after the Closing based upon the
      number of days in July falling after the Closing. On or before August 30,
      1999 the Seller and the Buyer will calculate a Health Insurance adjustment
      amount representing the Seller's health insurance expense for the Company
      employees for the portion of July after the Closing. Company shall pay
      Seller the Adjustment Amount within five (5) business days of it being
      determined.

4     CLOSING

The purchase and sale (the "Closing") provided for in this Agreement will take
place at the offices of Buyer's counsel at 44 Pittsford Way, New Providence, New
Jersey, at 2:00 p.m. (local time) on July 12, 1999 or at such other time and
place as the parties may agree.

4.1   CLOSING OBLIGATIONS

At the Closing, Seller will deliver to Buyer certificates representing the
Shares, duly endorsed (or accompanied by duly executed stock powers) ("Stock
Certificates") and free of any restrictive legends.

5     REPRESENTATIONS OF SELLER

Seller represents and warrants to Buyer as follows:

5.1   ORGANIZATION AND GOOD STANDING

      5.1.1 The Company name is "Vitamin Specialties Corp."

      5.1.2 The Company is organized under the laws of the State of
            Pennsylvania.

      5.1.3 The Company is authorized to do business in Pennsylvania and in New
            Jersey.

      5.1.4 The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing, and
            in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
            incorporation, with full corporate power and authority to conduct
            its business as it is now being conducted, and to perform all its
            obligations under the Agreement and other contracts or agreements
            necessary to the Contemplated Transaction.

      5.1.5 Under the laws of each state or other jurisdiction in which either
            the ownership or use of the properties owned or used by it, or the
            nature of the activities conducted by it, requires such
            qualification, the Company is both (a) duly qualified to do business
            as a foreign corporation, and (b) in good standing.

      5.1.6 Seller has delivered to Buyer or will within ten days of the date of
            the Agreement deliver to Buyer copies of the Organizational
            Documents of the Company, as currently in effect.

5.2   AUTHORITY; NO CONFLICT


                                       -8-
<PAGE>

      5.2.1 The Agreement constitutes the legal, valid, and binding obligation
            of Seller, enforceable against Seller in accordance with its terms.
            Seller has the right, power, authority, and capacity to execute and
            deliver the Agreement and the Stock Certificates ("Seller's Closing
            Documents") and to perform its obligations under the Agreement and
            the Seller's Closing Documents.

      5.2.2 Except as set forth in section 5.2.2 of the Disclosure Letter,
            neither the execution and delivery of the Agreement nor the
            consummation or performance of any of the Contemplated Transactions
            will, directly or indirectly (with or without notice or lapse of
            time):

            5.2.2.1 contravene, conflict with, or result in a violation of (A)
                    any provision of the Organizational Documents of the Seller,
                    or (B) any resolution adopted by the board of directors or
                    the stockholders of the Seller;

            5.2.2.2 contravene, conflict with, or result in a violation of, or
                    give any Governmental Body or other Person the right to
                    challenge any of the Contemplated Transactions or to
                    exercise any remedy or obtain any relief under, any Legal
                    Requirement or any Order to which the Company or Seller, or
                    any of the assets owned or used by the Company, may be
                    subject;

            5.2.2.3 contravene, conflict with, or result in a violation of any
                    of the terms or requirements of, or give any Governmental
                    Body the right to revoke, withdraw, suspend, cancel,
                    terminate, or modify, any Governmental Authorization that is
                    held by the Company or that otherwise relates to the
                    business of, or any of the assets owned or used by, the
                    Company;

            5.2.2.4 contravene, conflict with, or result in a violation or
                    breach of any provision of, or give any Person the right to
                    declare a default or exercise any remedy under, or to
                    accelerate the maturity or performance of, or to cancel,
                    terminate, or modify, any Applicable Contract; or

            5.2.2.5 result in the imposition or creation of any Encumbrance upon
                    or with respect to any of the assets owned or used by the
                    Company.

      Except as set forth in part 5.2 of the Disclosure Letter, neither the
      Seller nor the Company is or will be required to give any notice to or
      obtain any consent from any Person in connection with the execution and
      delivery of the Agreement or the consummation or performance of any of the
      Contemplated Transactions.

5.3   CAPITALIZATION


                                       -9-
<PAGE>

The authorized equity securities of the Company consist of one thousand shares
of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which one thousand (1,000) shares
are issued and outstanding and constitute the Shares. Seller is and will be on
the Closing the record and beneficial owner and holder of the Shares, free and
clear of all Encumbrances other than the liens of Chase Manhattan Bank and
Hoffman LaRoche, Inc. The Seller owns all of the Shares. All of the outstanding
equity securities of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued
and are fully paid and non assessable. There are no contracts relating to the
issuance, sale, or transfer of any equity securities or other securities of the
Company. None of the outstanding equity securities or other securities of the
Company was issued in violation of the Securities Act of 1933, or any successor
or any other Legal Requirement.

5.4   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Seller has delivered to Buyer or will within ten days of the date of the
Agreement deliver to Buyer:

(a) segregated balance sheets of the Company as at July 31, 1997 and the related
statement of income and expense for the fiscal year then ended,

(b) a segregated balance sheet of the Company as at July 31, 1998 (the "Balance
Sheet"), and the related statement of income and expense for the fiscal year
then ended, and

(c) a segregated balance sheet of the Company as at May 31, 1999 (the "Interim
Balance Sheet") and the related statements of income and expense for the fiscal
year to date.

Such financial statements fairly present the financial condition and the results
of operations of the Company as at the respective dates of and for the periods
referred to in such financial statements, all in accordance with GAAP, subject,
in the case of interim financial statements, to normal recurring year-end
adjustments (the effect of which will not, individually or in the aggregate, be
materially adverse) and the absence of notes (that, if presented, would not
differ materially from those included in the Balance Sheet); the financial
statements referred to in this Section 5.4 reflect the consistent application of
such accounting principles throughout the periods involved.

5.5   BOOKS AND RECORDS

The books of account, stock record books, and other records of the Company are
complete and correct and have been maintained in accordance with sound business
practices, including the maintenance of an adequate system of internal controls.
The Company does not have any minutes of meetings of the stockholders or the
Board of Directors. Within ten (10) days of the Closing, all of those books and
records will be in the possession of the Company.

5.6   TITLE TO PROPERTIES; ENCUMBRANCES


                                      -10-
<PAGE>

The Company owns no real property. Other than the leases for the Retail Stores
listed in Schedule A, the Company has no leases of real property. The Company
owns all the personal properties and intangible assets that they purport to own
including those located in the Retail Stores leased by the Company or reflected
as owned in the books and records of the Company, including all of the assets
reflected in the Balance Sheet and the Interim Balance Sheet (except for
personal property sold since the date of the Balance Sheet and the Interim
Balance Sheet, as the case may be, in the ordinary course of business), and all
of the assets purchased or otherwise acquired by the Company since the date of
the Balance Sheet (except for personal property acquired and sold since the date
of the Balance Sheet in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past
practice). Except as specified in section 5.6 of the Disclosure Letter, all
material assets reflected in the Balance Sheet and the Interim Balance Sheet are
free and clear of all Encumbrances.

5.7   Section intentionally omitted.

5.8   ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

The Company has no accounts receivables of a material amount or otherwise.

5.9   Section intentionally omitted.

5.10  NO UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES

Except as set forth in Part 5.10 of the Disclosure Letter, the Company has no
liabilities or obligations of any nature ( whether absolute, accrued,
contingent, or otherwise) except for current liabilities incurred in the
ordinary course of business.

5.11  TAXES

      5.11.1 Except as set forth in section 5.11.1 of the Disclosure Letter,
             the Company has filed or caused to be filed on a timely basis all
             Tax Returns that are or were required to be filed by or with
             respect to it, either separately or as a member of a group of
             corporations, pursuant to applicable Legal Requirements. All such
             Tax Returns are listed in the Disclosure Letter. Sellers have
             delivered to Buyer or will within ten days of the date of the
             Agreement deliver to Buyer copies of all Tax Returns listed in the
             Disclosure Letter, except as noted in the Disclosure Letter. The
             Company has paid, or made provision for the payment of, all Taxes
             that have or may have become due pursuant to those Tax Returns or
             otherwise, or pursuant to any assessment received by Sellers or
             the Company.

      5.11.2 There exists no proposed tax assessment against the Company or
             Seller. Except as provided in the Disclosure Letter, all Taxes
             that the Company is or was required by Legal Requirements to
             withhold or collect have been duly withheld or


                                      -11-
<PAGE>

            collected and, to the extent required, have been paid to the
            proper Governmental Body or other Person.

     5.11.3 Except as stated in part 5.11.3 of the Disclosure Letter, all Tax
            Returns filed by (or that include on a consolidated basis) the
            Company are true, correct, and complete. There is no tax sharing
            agreement that will require any payment by the Company after the
            date of the Agreement.

5.12  NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE

Since the date of the Balance Sheet, there has not been any material adverse
change in the business, operations, assets, or condition of the Company, and no
event has occurred or circumstance exists that may result in such a material
adverse change.

5.13  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT

     5.13.1 The only Employee Benefit Plans as that term is defined in Section
            3(3) of the Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
            amended ("Employee Benefit Plans") are maintained, administered or
            contributed to by the Company for the benefit of any employee of the
            Company are:
            (a) IVC Industries, Inc. 401k Retirement Savings Plan
            (b) IVC Industries Employee Health Care Plan

     5.13.2 Except as provided in the Disclosure Letter, upon the consummation
            of the Contemplated Transactions, after Closing neither the Buyer
            nor the Company will have any obligation or liabilities to or with
            respect to any employee, officer, director, consultant or agent of
            the Company that accrued prior to the Closing (i) for payment of
            wages, commissions, salaries, fees, bonuses, reimbursable employee
            expenses, pensions or contributions under any Employee Benefit Plans
            or any other compensation, bonus or perquisites, current or
            deferred; (ii) under any health, profit sharing, pension, deferred
            compensation, stock option, stock purchase, severance, retainer,
            consulting, health, welfare or incentive plan or agreement, any
            written or unwritten plan, policy, arrangement or commitment
            providing for "fringe benefits" to employees, including, personal
            leave, employee discount, perquisites, educational benefit or
            similar programs.

     5.13.3 No retired employee of the Company is entitled to receive benefits
            from the Company or scheduled to receive benefits from the Company
            in the future.

5.14  COMPLIANCE WITH LEGAL REQUIREMENTS; GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS

      5.14.1 The Company is in full compliance with each Legal Requirement that
             is or was


                                      -12-
<PAGE>

            applicable to it or to the conduct or operation of its business or
            the ownership or use of any of its assets. At all times since June
            13, 1997 the Company has been, or upon discovery of any failure to
            comply has promptly brought itself into full compliance with each
            Legal Requirement that is or was applicable to it or to the conduct
            or operation of its business or the ownership or use of any of its
            assets

     5.14.2 No event has occurred since June 13, 1997 or circumstance exists
            that (with or without notice or lapse of time) (A) may constitute or
            result in a violation by the Company of, or a failure on the part of
            the Company to comply with, any Legal Requirement, or (B) may give
            rise to any obligation on the part of the Company to undertake, or
            to bear all or any portion of the cost of, any remedial action of
            any nature; and

     5.14.3 The Company has not received, at any time since June 13, 1997, any
            notice or other communication (whether oral or written) from any
            Governmental Body or any other Person regarding (A) any actual,
            alleged, possible, or potential violation of, or failure to comply
            with, any Legal Requirement, or (B) any actual, alleged, possible,
            or potential obligation on the part of the Company to undertake, or
            to bear all or any portion of the cost of, any remedial action of
            any nature.

     5.14.4 The Company has obtained any and all required Governmental
            Authorization to permit the Company to lawfully conduct and operate
            its businesses in the manner they currently conduct and operate such
            businesses and to permit the Company to own and use its assets in
            the manner in which they currently own and use such assets.

5.15  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS; ORDERS

      5.15.1 Other than the Proceedings disclosed in Section 5.15.1 of the
             Disclosure Letter (and any Proceeding that may occur as a result of
             the Company's delay in paying the Accounts Payable listed on
             Schedule B, there is no pending Proceeding:

             5.15.1.1 that has been commenced by or against the Company or that
                      otherwise relates to or may affect the business of, or any
                      of the assets owned or used by, the Company where the
                      affect on the business or assets has a potential value
                      in excess of $30,000; or

             5.15.1.2 that challenges, or that may have the effect of
                      preventing, delaying, making illegal, or otherwise
                      interfering with, any of the Contemplated Transactions.

      To the Knowledge of Sellers and the Company, (1) no such Proceeding has
      been threatened, and (2) no event has occurred or circumstance exists that
      may give rise to or


                                      -13-
<PAGE>

     serve as a basis for the commencement of any such Proceeding.

     5.15.2 there is no Order to which the Company, or any of the assets owned
            or used by the Company, is subject;

     5.15.3 Seller is not subject to any Order that relates to the business of,
            or any of the assets owned or used by, the Company; and

     5.15.4 no officer, director, agent, or employee of the Company is subject
            to any Order that prohibits such officer, director, agent, or
            employee from engaging in or continuing any conduct, activity, or
            practice relating to the business of the Company.

5.16  ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES AND EVENTS

Since the date of the Balance Sheet, the Company has conducted its businesses
only in the ordinary course of business and there has not been any:

       5.16.1 change in the Company's authorized or issued capital stock; grant
              of any stock option or right to purchase shares of capital stock
              of the Company; issuance of any security convertible into such
              capital stock; grant of any registration rights; purchase,
              redemption, retirement, or other acquisition by the Company of any
              shares of any such capital stock; or declaration or payment of any
              dividend or other distribution or payment in respect of shares of
              capital stock;

       5.16.2 amendment to the Organizational Documents of the Company;

       5.16.3 except in the ordinary course of business, payment or increase by
              the Company of any bonuses, salaries, or other compensation to any
              stockholder, director, officer, or employee or entry into any
              employment, severance, or similar contract with any director,
              officer, or employee;

       5.16.4 adoption of, or increase in the payments to or benefits under, any
              profit sharing, bonus, deferred compensation, savings, insurance,
              pension, retirement, or other employee benefit plan for or with
              any employees of the Company;

       5.16.5 damage to or destruction or loss of any asset or property of the
              Company, whether or not covered by insurance, materially and
              adversely affecting the properties, assets, business, financial
              condition, or prospects of the Company, taken as a whole;

       5.16.6 entry into, termination of, or receipt of notice of termination of
              (i) any license, distributorship, dealer, sales representative,
              joint venture, credit, or similar


                                      -14-
<PAGE>

              agreement, or (ii) any contract or transaction involving a total
              remaining commitment by or to the Company of at least $30,000;

       5.16.7 sale (other than sales of inventory in the ordinary course of
              business), lease, or other disposition of any asset or property of
              the Company or , other than as disclosed in section 5.16.7 of the
              Disclosure Letter and mortgage, pledge, or imposition of any lien
              or other encumbrance on any material asset or property of the
              Company, including the sale, lease, or other disposition of any of
              the Intellectual Property Assets;

       5.16.8 cancellation or waiver of any existing claims or rights with a
              value to the Company in excess of $30,000;

       5.16.9 material change in the accounting methods used by the Company;

       5.16.10 agreement, whether oral or written, by the Company to do any of
               the foregoing, or

       5.16.11 increase in inventory levels that is inconsistent with the
               Company's ordinary course of business.

5.17  CONTRACTS; NO DEFAULTS

      5.17.1 The only Applicable Contracts of the Company that involve
             obligations with a value in excess of $1,000 are the leases for the
             Retail Stores listed in Exhibit A and an employment contract with
             Bill Evans.

5.18  This Section intentionally omitted.

5.19  ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

       5.19.1 The Company is, and at all times has been since June 13, 1997, in
              full compliance with, and has not been and is not in violation of
              or liable under, any applicable Environmental Law. Neither the
              Seller nor the Company has any basis to expect, nor has any of
              them or any other Person for whose conduct they are or may be held
              to be responsible received, any actual or threatened order,
              notice, or other communication from (i) any Governmental Body or
              private citizen acting in the public interest, or (ii) the current
              or prior owner or operator of any Facilities, of any actual or
              potential violation or failure to comply with any Environmental
              Law, or of any actual or threatened obligation to undertake or
              bear the cost of any Environmental, Health, and Safety Liabilities
              with respect to any of the Facilities or any other properties or
              assets (whether real, personal, or mixed) in which the


                                      -15-
<PAGE>

              Company has had an interest, or with respect to any property or
              Facility at or to which Hazardous Materials were generated,
              manufactured, refined, transferred, imported, used, or processed
              by the Company, or any other Person for whose conduct they are or
              may be held responsible, or from which Hazardous Materials have
              been transported, treated, stored, handled, transferred, disposed,
              recycled, or received.

       5.19.2 There are no Hazardous Materials present in the Retail Store.
              Neither the Seller, the Company, or any other Person for whose
              conduct they are or may be held responsible, has permitted or
              conducted, or is aware of, any Hazardous Activity conducted with
              respect to the Retail Stores.

       5.19.3 The Company is not an "Industrial Establishment" as that term is
              defined in the Industrial Site Recovery Act, N.J. Stat. Ann. ss.
              13.1K-6 et seq.

5.20   EMPLOYEES

       5.20.1 Section 5.20 of the Disclosure Letter contains a complete and
              accurate list of the following information for each employee of
              the Company, including each employee on leave of absence or layoff
              status: name; department, type, rate, status and hire date. Within
              10 days of the Closing, the Seller will provide the Buyer with
              information for each employee concerning vacation accrued; and
              service credited for purposes of vesting and eligibility to
              participate under the Company's Employee Benefit Plans.

       5.20.2 No employee of the Company is a party to, or is otherwise bound
              by, any agreement or arrangement, including any confidentiality,
              non competition, or proprietary rights agreement, between such
              employee or director and any other Person ("Proprietary Rights
              Agreement") that in any way adversely affects or will affect (i)
              the performance of his duties as an employee of the Company, or
              (ii) the ability of the Company to conduct its business, including
              any Proprietary Rights Agreement with Seller or the Company by any
              such employee. To Seller's Knowledge, no key employee of the
              Company intends to terminate his employment with the Company.

5.21   LABOR RELATIONS; COMPLIANCE

The Company has not been, and is not currently a party to any collective
bargaining or other labor contract.

5.22  INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

       5.22.1 Intellectual Property Assets--The term "Intellectual Property
              Assets" includes the


                                      -16-
<PAGE>

              trademark "Vitamin Specialties" and design, registration
              number1880352 issued February 28, 1995, and the trademark "Vitamin
              Specialties", registration number 1, 880353 issued February 28,
              1995 ("Trademarks"), and trademark rights, if any, acquired
              through use by the Company ("Use Marks").

       5.22.2 Except as provided in the Disclosure Letter, the Company is the
              owner of all right, title, and interest in and to each of the
              Intellectual Property Assets, free and clear of all liens,
              security interests, charges, encumbrances, equities, and other
              adverse claims, and has the right to use without payment to a
              third party all of the Intellectual Property Assets.

       5.22.3 Trademarks

               5.22.3.1 To Seller's knowledge, there is no potentially
                        interfering trademark or trademark application of any
                        third party.

               5.22.3.2 To Seller's knowledge, no Intellectual Property Right
                        is infringed or, to Seller's knowledge, has been
                        challenged or threatened in any way. To Seller's
                        knowledge none of the Trade Marks or Use Marks used
                        by the Company infringes or is alleged to infringe
                        any trade name, trademark, or service mark of any
                        third party.

5.23   This Section Intentionally Omitted.

5.24   DISCLOSURE

       5.24.1 All representations or warranties of Seller in the Agreement,
              including, without limitation those made in this section 5, and
              all statements in the Disclosure Letter state all material facts
              necessary to make the statements herein or therein, in light of
              the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading.

       5.24.2 There is no fact known to Seller that has specific application to
              either Seller or the Company (other than general economic or
              industry conditions) that materially adversely affects the assets,
              business, financial condition, or results of operations of the
              Company that has not been set forth in the Agreement, the
              Disclosure Letter, the Balance Sheets, the Interim Financial
              Statements, the Leases prior to Closing.

5.25   BROKERS OR FINDERS

Seller and its agents have not incurred any obligation or liability, contingent
or otherwise, for brokerage or finders' fees or agents' commissions or other
similar payment in connection with the Agreement.


                                      -17-
<PAGE>

6     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

Buyer represents and warrants to Sellers as follows:

6.1   ORGANIZATION AND GOOD STANDING

Buyer is a corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing
under the laws of the State of New Jersey.

6.2   AUTHORITY; NO CONFLICT

      6.2.1 The Agreement constitutes the legal, valid, and binding obligation
            of Buyer, enforceable against Buyer in accordance with its terms.
            Buyer has the absolute and unrestricted right, power, and authority
            to execute and deliver the Agreement and to perform its obligations
            under the Agreement.

      6.2.2 Neither the execution and delivery of the Agreement by Buyer nor the
            consummation or performance of any of the Contemplated Transactions
            by Buyer will give any Person the right to prevent, delay, or
            otherwise interfere with any of the Contemplated Transactions
            pursuant to:

            6.2.2.1 any provision of Buyer's Organizational Documents;

            6.2.2.2 any resolution adopted by the board of directors or the
                    stockholders of Buyer;

            6.2.2.3 any Legal Requirement or Order to which Buyer may be
                    subject; or

            6.2.2.4 any contract to which Buyer is a party or by which Buyer may
                    be bound.

Buyer is not and will not be required to obtain any consent from any Person and
in connection with the execution and delivery of the Agreement or the
consummation or performance of any of the Contemplated Transactions that will
not have been obtained prior to Closing.

6.3   CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS

There is no pending Proceeding that has been commenced against Buyer and that
challenges, or may have the effect of preventing, delaying, making illegal, or
otherwise interfering with, any of the Contemplated Transactions. To Buyer's
Knowledge, no such Proceeding has been threatened.

6.4   BROKERS OR FINDERS

Buyer and its officers and agents have incurred not incurred any obligation or
liability, contingent


                                      -18-
<PAGE>

or otherwise, for brokerage or finders' fees or agents' commissions or other
similar payment in connection with the Agreement and will indemnify and hold
Seller harmless from any such payment alleged to be due by or through Buyer as a
result of the action of Buyer or its officers or agents.

7     CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO BUYER'S OBLIGATION TO CLOSE

Buyer's obligation to purchase the Shares and to take the other actions required
to be taken by Buyer at the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, at or prior
to the Closing, of each of the following conditions (any of which may be waived
by Buyer, in whole or in part):

7.1   ACCURACY OF REPRESENTATIONS

      7.1.1 All of Seller's Representations and Warranties in section 5
            (considered collectively), and each of these Representations and
            Warranties (considered individually), must be accurate in all
            material respects as of the Closing.

7.2   SELLER'S PERFORMANCE

      7.2.1 Each document required to be delivered pursuant to Section 4.1 and
            7.4 must have been delivered.

7.3   CONSENTS

      An agreement satisfactory to the Buyer must be in place by which Seller
agrees that the Closing is contingent upon promptly getting the consents
identified in the Disclosure Letter.

7.4   ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS

Each of the following documents must have been delivered to Buyer:

      7.4.1 a list of the Retail Stores in the form of Schedule A;

      7.4.2 a list of Assumed Payables in the form of Schedule B;

      7.4.3 a list of the inventory in the Seller's warehouse in Freehold, New
            Jersey in the form of Schedule C;

      7.4.4 an opinion of Seller's counsel in the form of Schedule D;

      7.4.5 the Disclosure Letter complete with appendices in the form of
            Schedule E; and

      7.4.6 such other documents as Buyer may reasonably request for the purpose
            of (i) evidencing the accuracy of any of Seller's Representations
            and Warranties, (ii) evidencing the performance by Seller of, or the
            compliance by Seller with, any covenant or obligation required to be
            performed or complied with by Seller, (iii) evidencing the
            satisfaction of any condition referred to in this Section 7, or (iv)
            otherwise facilitating the consummation or performance of any of the


                                      -19-
<PAGE>

            Contemplated Transactions.

8     ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS OF BUYER

Buyer must have caused the following documents to be delivered to Seller:

      8.0.1 such documents as Seller may reasonably request for the purpose of
            (i) enabling their counsel to provide the opinion referred to in
            Section 7.4. (ii) evidencing the accuracy of any representation or
            warranty of Buyer, (iii) evidencing the performance by Buyer of, or
            the compliance by Buyer with, any covenant or obligation required to
            be performed or complied with by Buyer, (ii) evidencing the
            satisfaction of any condition referred to in this Section 8, or (v)
            otherwise facilitating the consummation of any of the Contemplated
            Transactions.

9     INDEMNIFICATION; REMEDIES

9.1   With the exception of the liabilities listed in Section 5.10 and the
      Assumed Payables, Seller does hereby agree to indemnify, defend and save
      Company and Buyer harmless of and from any and all claims, demands,
      losses, damage (including incidental and consequential damages),
      diminution of value, expenses, reasonable attorney fees, causes of
      actions, judgments, and liability (collectively, "Damages") arising,
      directly or indirectly, from or in connection with:

      9.1.1 any breach, misrepresentation or inaccuracy of any representation,
            warranty, covenant, or obligation of or made by Seller in the
            Agreement, any Exhibit to the Agreement, any supplement to the
            Disclosure Letter, or any other certificate or document delivered by
            Seller pursuant to the Agreement;

      9.1.2 the assignment of the leases following the Closing;

      9.1.3 any claim relating to the occupancy, use or operation of the Retail
            Stores prior to the Closing;

      9.1.4 any product sold or shipped by Company prior to the Closing or any
            Retail Inventory or Subject Inventory whenever sold or shipped by
            Company unless directly arising from any action of the Company after
            the Closing;

      9.1.5 any liability of the Company with respect to any Tax year or period
            or portion thereof ending on or before the Closing (or for any Tax
            year or period beginning before and ending after the Closing to the
            extent allocable to the portion of such period beginning before and
            ending on the Closing) or for the unpaid Taxes of any Person as a
            transferee or successor by contract, or otherwise;


                                      -20-
<PAGE>

      9.1.6 any other activity or conduct relating to the Business by the
            Company or Seller and their Representatives prior to the Closing.

      Buyer must inform Seller in writing immediately upon receiving any
      knowledge of a claim under this Indemnity Agreement. This obligation of
      Seller shall terminate, and Seller shall not be responsible to Buyer for
      any indemnification under this Indemnity Agreement after, the date which
      is six years after the Closing, provided Buyer has not notified Seller of
      any unpaid claim prior to that date.

9.2   Buyer does hereby agree to indemnify, defend and save Seller harmless of
      and from any and all claims, demands, losses, damage (including incidental
      and consequential damages), diminution of value, expenses, reasonable
      attorney fees, causes of actions, judgments, and liability (collectively,
      "Damages") arising, directly or indirectly, from or in connection with:

      9.2.1 The Assumed Payables, the accrued unpaid vacation as set forth in
            the Disclosure Letter, and the retroactive CAM charges as set forth
            in the Disclosure Letter.

      Seller must inform Buyer in writing immediately upon receiving any
      knowledge of a claim under this Indemnity Agreement. This obligation of
      Buyer shall terminate, and Buyer shall not be responsible to Seller for
      any indemnification under this Indemnity Agreement after, the date which
      is six years after the Closing, provided Seller has not notified Buyer of
      any unpaid claim prior to that date.

10    BUYER'S GUARANTEE.

Buyer unconditionally guarantees:

10.1  the Company's royalty payment of $10,000 a month for the first thirty six
      (36) months, if the conditions for the payment of such minimum royalty
      under Section 2.2 are met;

10.2  the Company's payment for the Retail Inventory as called for under Section
      3.3 (including any late penalty called for under Section 3.3.2); and

10.3  the Company's payment for the Subject Inventory as called for under
      Section 3.4.

irrespective of whether Company terminates the operations of the Business.

11    SELLER'S RELEASE.

Seller in order to induce Buyer to purchase the outstanding capital stock of the
Company pursuant to the Agreement, hereby agrees as follows:

11.1  Seller, on behalf of itself, hereby releases and forever discharges the
      Buyer and the Company and each of their respective stockholders
      (individually, a "Releasee" and


                                      -21-
<PAGE>

      collectively, "Releasees") from any and all claims, demands, Proceedings,
      causes of action, Orders, obligations, contracts, agreements, debts and
      liabilities whatsoever, whether known or unknown, suspected or
      unsuspected, both at law and in equity, which Seller or any of its
      affiliates now has, have ever had or may hereafter have against the
      respective Releasees arising contemporaneously with or prior to the
      Closing or on account of or arising out of any matter, cause or event
      occurring contemporaneously with or prior to the Closing, including, but
      not limited to, any rights to indemnification or reimbursement from the
      Company, whether pursuant to their respective Organizational Documents,
      contract or otherwise and whether or not relating to claims pending on, or
      asserted after, the Closing Date; provided, however, that nothing
      contained herein shall operate to release any obligations of Buyer arising
      under the Agreement or any obligation which obligation has been disclosed
      in the Disclosure Letter.

11.2  Seller hereby irrevocably covenants to refrain from, directly or
      indirectly, asserting any claim or demand, or commencing, instituting or
      causing to be commenced, any proceeding of any kind against any Releasee,
      based upon any matter purported to be released hereby.

11.3  Without in any way limiting any of the rights and remedies otherwise
      available to any Releasee, Seller shall indemnify and hold harmless each
      Releasee from and against all loss, liability, claim, damage (including
      incidental and consequential damages) or expense (including costs of
      investigation and defense and reasonable attorney's fees) whether or not
      involving third party claims, arising directly or indirectly from or in
      connection with (i) the assertion by or on behalf of the Seller or any of
      its Related Persons of any claim or other matter purported to be released
      pursuant to this Release and (ii) the assertion by any third party of any
      claim or demand against any Releasee which claim or demand arises directly
      or indirectly from, or in connection with, any assertion by or on behalf
      of the Seller or any of their Affiliates against such third party of any
      claims or other matters purported to be released pursuant to this Release.

12    This section intentionally omitted.

13    GENERAL PROVISIONS

13.1  EXPENSES

Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, each party to this
Agreement will bear its respective expenses incurred in connection with the
preparation, execution, and performance of this Agreement and the Contemplated
Transactions, including all fees and expenses of agents, representatives,
counsel, and accountants. In the event of termination of this Agreement, the
obligation of each party to pay its own expenses will be subject to any rights
of such party arising from a breach of this Agreement by another party.


                                      -22-
<PAGE>

13.2  PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Any public announcement or similar publicity with respect to this Agreement or
the Contemplated Transactions will be issued, if at all, at such time and in
such manner as Buyer and Seller jointly determine. Seller and Buyer will consult
with each other concerning the means by which the Company's employees,
customers, and suppliers and others having dealings with the Company will be
informed of the Contemplated Transactions, and Buyer will have the right to be
present for any such communication.

13.3  This section intentionally omitted.

13.4  NOTICES

All notices, consents, waivers, and other communications under this Agreement
must be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given when (a) delivered
by hand (with written confirmation of receipt), (b) sent by telecopier (with
written confirmation of receipt), provided that a copy is mailed by registered
mail, return receipt requested, or (c) when received by the addressee, if sent
by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service (receipt requested), in
each case to the appropriate addresses and telecopier numbers set forth below
(or to such other addresses and telecopier numbers as a party may designate by
notice to the other parties):

Seller:           IVC Industries, Inc.
                  500 Halls Mill Road
                  Freehold, New Jersey 07728

Attention:        Mr. E. Joseph Edell, Chief Executive Officer

Facsimile No.:    (732) 308-9793

Buyer:            Archon Vitamin Corporation
                  209 40th Street
                  Irvington, New Jersey 07111

Attention:        Mr. Thomas F. Pugsley, Presdent

Facsimile No.:    (973) 371-1277

13.5  JURISDICTION; SERVICE OF PROCESS

Any action or proceeding seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any
right arising out of, this Agreement may be brought against any of the parties
in the courts of the State of New Jersey (state and federal) and each of the
parties consents to the jurisdiction of such courts in any


                                      -23-
<PAGE>

such action or proceeding and waives any objection to venue laid therein.
Process in any action or proceeding referred to in the preceding sentence may be
served on any party anywhere in the world. In the event of judicial intervention
seeking enforcement of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to
collect from the other party any and all attorneys' fees and costs relating to
such action.

13.6  FURTHER ASSURANCES

The parties agree (a) to furnish upon request to each other such further
information, (b) to execute and deliver to each other such other documents, and
(c) to do such other acts and things, all as the other party may reasonably
request for the purpose of carrying out the intent of this Agreement and the
documents referred to in this Agreement.

13.7  WAIVER

The rights and remedies of the parties to this Agreement are cumulative and not
alternative. Neither the failure nor any delay by any party in exercising any
right, power, or privilege under this Agreement or the documents referred to in
this Agreement will operate as a waiver of such right, power, or privilege, and
no single or partial exercise of any such right, power, or privilege will
preclude any other or further exercise of such right, power, or privilege or the
exercise of any other right, power, or privilege.

13.8  ENTIRE AGREEMENT AND MODIFICATION

This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements between the parties with respect
to its subject matter (including the Letter of Intent between Buyer and Seller
dated April 15, 1999) and constitutes (along with the documents referred to in
this Agreement) a complete and exclusive statement of the terms of the agreement
between the parties with respect to its subject matter. This Agreement may not
be amended except by a written agreement executed by the party to be charged
with the amendment.

13.9  DISCLOSURE LETTER

      13.9.1 The disclosures in the Disclosure Letter must relate only to the
             Representations and Warranties in section 5 of this Agreement to
             which they expressly relate and not to any other Representation or
             Warranty in this Agreement.

13.10 ASSIGNMENTS, SUCCESSORS, AND NO THIRD-PARTY RIGHTS

Neither party may assign any of its rights under this Agreement without the
prior written consent of the other parties, which will not be unreasonably
withheld. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement will apply to, be
binding in all respects upon, and inure to the benefit of the successors and
permitted assigns of the parties. Nothing expressed or referred to in this


                                      -24-
<PAGE>

Agreement will be construed to give any Person other than the parties to this
Agreement any legal or equitable right, remedy, or claim under or with respect
to this Agreement or any provision of this Agreement. This Agreement and all of
its provisions and conditions are for the sole and exclusive benefit of the
parties to this Agreement and their successors and assigns.

13.11 SEVERABILITY

If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable by any court
of competent jurisdiction, the other provisions of this Agreement will remain in
full force and effect. Any provision of this Agreement held invalid or
unenforceable only in part or degree will remain in full force and effect to the
extent not held invalid or unenforceable.

13.12 SECTION HEADINGS, CONSTRUCTION

The headings of Sections in this Agreement are provided for convenience only and
will not affect its construction or interpretation. All references to "Section"
or "Sections" refer to the corresponding Section or Sections of this Agreement.
All words used in this Agreement will be construed to be of such gender or
number as the circumstances require. Unless otherwise expressly provided, the
word "including" does not limit the preceding words or terms.

13.13 This section intentionally removed.

13.14 GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of New Jersey without
regard to conflicts of laws principles.

13.15 COUNTERPARTS

This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will
be deemed to be an original copy of this Agreement and all of which, when taken
together, will be deemed to constitute one and the same agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and delivered this Agreement as of
the date first written above.

Buyer:      Archon Vitamin Corporation


By:         /s/ Thomas F. Pugsley
            ---------------------------------
            Thomas F. Pugsley
            President


                                      -25-
<PAGE>

Seller:     IVC Industries, Inc.


By:         /s/ E. Joseph Edell
            ---------------------------------
            E. Joseph Edell
            Chief Executive Officer


                                      -26-
<PAGE>

                               List of Schedules

A.    Retail Stores
B.    Payables Schedule
C.    Vitamin Specialties Specific Inventory in Freehold Warehouse
D.    Opinion of Seller's Counsel
E.    Disclosure Letter
F.    July Rent




                                Closing Agreement

      This Agreement ("Closing Agreement") dated July 13, 1999 by and between
IVC Industries, Inc. ("Seller"), a Delaware Corporation and Archon Vitamin
Corporation ("Buyer"), a New Jersey Corporation. This Closing Agreement is an
amendment to the Stock Purchase Agreement dated July 13, 1999 between Buyer and
Seller for the acquisition of Vitamin Specialties Corp. Any capitalized terms
not defined herein have the definitions given to them in the Stock Purchase
Agreement.

      The parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

      A.    Acquisition Closed Subject to Conditions. Seller and Buyer agree
            that the acquisition of Vitamin Specialties Corp. pursuant to the
            Stock Purchase Agreement shall be treated as effective as of
            midnight tonight, with Buyer assuming operations as of that time,
            but that such acquisition is conditional and shall, to the extent
            possible be unwound, if the following post Closing Conditions set
            forth below are not satisfied. For purposes of the Closing of the
            Stock Purchase Agreement the conditions set forth below are waived
            by Buyer subject to the terms of this Closing Agreement.

      1.    Unwind. If the parties are unable to satisfy the Post-Closing
            Conditions by the time indicated herein, or as otherwise extended by
            the parties:

            a.    the Stock Purchase Agreement shall be null and void;

            b.    Seller shall return all payments received from Buyer, less
                  amounts representing Seller's Manufacturing Cost of inventory
                  sold by the Company since Closing;

            c.    Buyer shall return all assets of the Company acquired from
                  Seller free and clear of any Encumbrance placed on the
                  property after July 13, 1999 unrelated to the Business of the
                  Company less inventory sold during the ordinary course of
                  business;

            d.    Seller shall be entitled to all revenues of the Business from
                  the Closing Date until the date the Stock Purchase Agreement
                  is determined to be null and void;

            e.    Buyer shall be entitled to a reimbursement of all
                  contributions made to or on behalf of the Company since the
                  Closing Date;

            f.    Seller shall be responsible for all outstanding liabilities of
                  the Company and shall indemnify Buyer for any and all
                  guarantees Buyer has extended on behalf of the Company.

      2.    Post -Closing Conditions

            a.    Seller shall provide Buyer with written evidence of Seller's
                  right to


                                       -1-
<PAGE>

                  terminate the liens of Chase Manhattan Bank and/or Hoffman-La
                  Roche with respect to the stock of Vitamin Specialties Corp.
                  and all of Vitamin Specialties Corp.'s assets by July 31,
                  1999. Promptly thereafter the Seller shall removed said liens
                  and take all necessary steps taken to terminate UCC filings in
                  connection therewith.

            b.    Seller will deliver to Buyer certificates representing the
                  Shares, duly endorsed (or accompanied by duly executed stock
                  powers) and free of any restrictive legends by August 15,
                  1999.

            c.    Seller will provide Buyer with a UCC-3 termination statement
                  with respect to Seller's lien on Buyer's assets by July 16,
                  1999.

            d.    The requirement of notice, consent, approval, release or other
                  authorization listed in section 5.2 of the Disclosure Letter,
                  with the exception of any consents, approvals or releases of
                  any landlord of any Retail Store, shall be complied with by
                  December 1, 1999.

            e.    Seller will have completed all necessary actions to cancel the
                  assignment of the Company trademarks to The Chase Manhattan
                  Bank and to transfer all rights in the trademarks to the
                  Company by December 1, 1999.

      3.    Waiver of Condition. Buyer agrees to waive the following conditions
            to Closing contained in the Stock Purchase Agreement:

            a.    Delivery of the Stock Certificates and all of the assets of
                  the Company free and clear of all Encumbrances at Closing.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and delivered this Agreement as of
the date first written above.

Buyer:      Archon Vitamin Corporation

By:         /s/ Thomas F. Pugsley
            ----------------------------------
            Thomas F. Pugsley
            President


Seller:     IVC Industries, Inc.

By:         /s/ E. Joseph Edell
            ----------------------------------
            E. Joseph Edell
            Chief Executive Officer


                                       -2-



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