Alacer Names Larry Batina, Key Nutraceutical Industry Executive, As CFO

Business Wire, July 20, 2004

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. -- Alacer Corp., manufacturer and distributor of popular Vitamin C product Emer'gen-C, announced today the appointment of Larry Batina, a key nutraceutical industry executive, as Chief Financial Officer.

Batina brings direct industry experience to Alacer, working with Zila, Inc., a $50 million company as CFO. At Zila, he was in charge of all accounting, finance and IT activities for the company.

Prior to joining Zila, Batina worked with Naturade, Inc., an Irvine, California-based nutraceutical firm, where he was Chief Operating Officer and CFO.

"Larry Batina brings over 25 years of financial management and operations knowledge to our company," commented Tim Welch Alacer's President and CEO. "His experience in the nutraceutical industry makes him a welcome addition to the Alacer executive team as our company continues to grow and flourish."

Batina's experience includes working KMPG as a consulting manager/senior auditor; as executive vice president of Prepco, a prepared foods company and as Vice President and Corporate Controller of IQI, a $180 million telecommunications firm.

A graduate of the MBA of Harvard Graduate School of Business, Batina also holds a BS in Business Administration from UC Berkeley. He is a CPA in the states of California and Arizona. He currently resides in Long Beach and has one son in college.

Alacer's marquee product, Emer'gen-C comes in single-serving packets and is made up of 1,000 mg of Vitamin C in the form of mineral ascorbates in addition to B vitamins and active mineral complexes. When water is added, the ascorbic acid reacts with the mineral carbonates, creating mineral ascorbates. The production of mineral ascorbates as it occurs in most animals' bodies is simulated, and the effervescent Emer'gen-C is ready to drink. Emer'gen-C comes in 15 great-tasting flavors including a new Mixed Berry flavor with Calcium and a "Jr" multivitamin version for children 10 and under.

Alacer Corp. is headquartered in Foothill Ranch, California with additional offices in Irvine, California and Wallingford, Connecticut. The company develops and markets Emer'gen-C domestically and internationally. The product is sold in a variety of outlets, including Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Sav-on/Osco, Kroger/Ralphs, Albertsons, Vons, Smith's Food & Drug, Safeway, Trader Joe's, Fred Meyer, Fry's, GNC, Wild Oats, Whole Foods, The Vitamin Shoppe, and most health food/nutrition retailers. For further information about Alacer, Emer'gen-C and other Alacer products, visit the web site at www.alacer.com or call (800) 854-0249.