Lawmaker Bans Chinese-Owned GNC from Military Bases
- WASHINGTON – As Congress debates restricting Chinese land purchases near U.S.
- Harrigan has introduced the Military Installation Retail Security Act of 2025,a bill that would prohibit companies owned by Chinese,North Korean,Iranian,or Russian entities from operating on military bases.
- "This situation, where the CCP is operating on our military bases, is even more concerning than foreign land purchases," Harrigan stated.
GNC’s Presence on Military Bases Raises Security Concerns
WASHINGTON – As Congress debates restricting Chinese land purchases near U.S. military installations, Rep.pat Harrigan, R-N.C., is raising concerns about a more direct Chinese Communist Party presence: the national nutrition chain GNC, which operates stores on those bases.
Harrigan has introduced the Military Installation Retail Security Act of 2025,a bill that would prohibit companies owned by Chinese,North Korean,Iranian,or Russian entities from operating on military bases.
“This situation, where the CCP is operating on our military bases, is even more concerning than foreign land purchases,” Harrigan stated.
GNC’s Acquisition by chinese Firm
In June 2020, GNC, the vitamin and supplement retailer, declared bankruptcy and was subsequently acquired by Harbin Pharmaceuticals, a partially state-owned enterprise based in China. Harbin had previously acquired a 40% stake in GNC in 2018.
Further solidifying ties to Chinese investment, GNC integrated its manufacturing operations with international Vitamin Corporation (IVC) in 2019, a company with a consortium of Chinese investors.
Despite operating on U.S.military bases for years, the potential security implications of GNC’s sale appear to have been initially overlooked.
Concerns Over intelligence Gathering
Currently, approximately 85 GNC stores operate on U.S. military bases under “long term concessions” contracts, meaning GNC is responsible for staffing, supplying, and operating the stores.
“This presents a important opportunity for intelligence gathering,” Harrigan warned. “It’s crucial to defend the integrity of our military and prevent foreign adversaries from undermining us from within our own bases.”
Harrigan emphasized the potential for gathering sensitive data. “They know their customers,their purchasing habits,and have access to sensitive health information based on the products they buy,” he said.
According to Harrigan, the store could potentially identify individuals with vulnerabilities by tracking purchases of products like testosterone, sleep aids, or anxiety supplements. Deployment cycles could also be monitored based on changes in purchasing patterns.
Harrigan also cautioned that GNC’s access could allow adversaries to introduce banned or harmful substances, or counterfeit products, potentially degrading military readiness.
Cybersecurity Risks
Beyond physical security, Harrigan highlighted potential cybersecurity risks. He noted that in-store WiFi and mobile data tracking could expose troop geolocations. Loyalty apps and promotional materials could also be exploited to embed malicious links or software.
GNC’s Response
A GNC spokesperson stated that their “systems are independently monitored and meet strict federal standards, partaking in multiple audits throughout the year.”
“We value our military customers,” the spokesperson added. “Their wellbeing, including their personal health and the safety of their information, is our priority. We are honored to be part of their communities and will continue to safeguard their information as we do for all our customers.”
Broader Concerns About Chinese Influence
Harrigan’s concerns come amid growing scrutiny of Chinese influence and investment in the United States. lawmakers have introduced numerous bills aimed at preventing China from purchasing U.S. land near sensitive military sites, a movement that gained momentum after the Fufeng Group’s purchase of land near a North Dakota Air Force base in 2022.
According to U.S. Department of Agriculture data, China owned approximately 350,000 acres of farmland across 27 states as of last year.
GNC’s Government Contractor Status
GNC Holdings appeared on the System for Award Management, the federal registry for government contractors, in 2023 and 2024, despite not being required to register due to its long-term concessions contract.
the company reportedly did not disclose its Chinese ownership on the website and allowed its registration to expire in October 2024.
Past Warnings
In 2020, then-U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, now Secretary of State, voiced concerns over GNC’s sale to Harbin, suggesting that customer data could be shared with the Chinese Communist Party. He urged the Treasury Department to conduct a national security review.
Despite these concerns, a bankruptcy judge approved the $770 million sale. Since then, GNC has expanded its presence to over 4,000 stores in the U.S. and 2,000 internationally.
GNCS Presence on Military Bases: Your Questions Answered
Q: what’s the story behind concerns about GNC stores on U.S. military bases?
A: the focal point of this discussion is the presence of GNC stores,a national nutrition chain,on U.S. military bases and how its Chinese ownership raises security concerns. Several individuals, including Rep. Pat Harrigan, R-N.C., have expressed worries about the potential risks linked to a company with ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) operating on military grounds.
Q: Who is raising thes concerns about GNC on military bases,and what action are they taking?
A: Representative Pat Harrigan is leading the charge. He introduced the Military Installation Retail Security Act of 2025. This proposed law aims to stop businesses with Chinese, North Korean, iranian, or Russian ownership from doing business on military bases.
Q: What’s the connection between GNC and Chinese ownership?
A: In June 2020,GNC,the vitamin and supplement retailer,went through bankruptcy and was acquired by harbin Pharmaceuticals,a partially state-owned Chinese enterprise. This built on Harbin’s prior acquisition of a 40% stake in GNC in 2018. GNC also integrated its manufacturing operations with International Vitamin Corporation (IVC) in 2019, a company with Chinese investors.
Q: What are the primary security concerns highlighted by these issues?
A: There are multiple security risks. First,the potential for intelligence gathering is a major worry. Harrigan highlights concerns that the company could gather data on customers, their buying habits, and have access to sensitive health details. Second,there are cybersecurity risks to consider,such as in-store Wi-Fi vulnerabilities and data tracking. there is worry of an adversary introducing harmful substances or counterfeit goods.
Q: Why is the potential for intelligence gathering a concern?
A: The stores have access to the purchasing data of military personnel. According to Harrigan, they could potentially identify individuals with vulnerabilities by tracking purchases of products like testosterone, sleep aids or anxiety supplements. Deployment cycles could also be monitored based on changes in purchasing patterns.
Q: What are the cybersecurity risks associated with GNC stores on military bases?
A: Harrigan pointed out several potential cybersecurity issues. Notably, in-store WiFi and mobile data tracking could expose troop geolocations. Loyalty apps and promotional materials could also be exploited to embed malicious links or software, posing substantial digital security risks.
Q: What is GNC’s response to these security concerns?
A: A GNC spokesperson stated that their “systems are independently monitored and meet strict federal standards, partaking in multiple audits throughout the year.” They also emphasized their commitment to the safety and well-being of their military customers.
Q: Has this issue been raised before, and what actions were taken?
A: yes. Back in 2020, then-U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (now Secretary of State) voiced similar concerns. He suggested that customer data could be shared with the Chinese Communist Party and called for a national security review by the Treasury Department. Despite these warnings, a bankruptcy judge approved the $770 million sale of GNC to Harbin.
Q: How does China’s ownership of farmland in the U.S. relate to the GNC concerns?
A: The concerns over GNC are part of a broader examination of Chinese influence in the U.S. This includes scrutiny of Chinese investment and land purchases. Lawmakers are working on preventing China from buying land near sensitive military sites. Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicates that China owned around 350,000 acres of farmland across 27 states as of last year.
Q: Did GNC follow the federal guidelines for government contractors?
A: GNC Holdings appeared on the System for Award Management, the federal registry for government contractors, in 2023 and 2024. Though, as of its long-term concessions contract, the company wasn’t required to register. The company reportedly didn’t disclose its Chinese ownership on the website and allowed its registration to expire in October 2024.