Lawmaker looks to ban Chinese-owned GNC from military bases

Freshman Rep. Pat Harrigan, R-N.C., has raised concerns about the Chinese Communist Party’s presence on U.S. military bases through the national nutrition chain GNC. Despite the focus on banning China from buying land near military installations, Harrigan has introduced the Military Installation Retail Security Act of 2025. This bill aims to prohibit companies owned by adversaries such as China, North Korea, Iran, and Russia from operating on military bases.

In 2020, GNC filed for bankruptcy and was acquired by Harbin Pharmaceuticals, a partially state-owned enterprise in China. Prior to this acquisition, Harbin had already obtained a 40% stake in GNC in 2018. The integration of GNC’s manufacturing with International Vitamin Corporation (IVC), which has Chinese investors, further raised concerns about the company’s ties to China.

GNC currently operates around 85 stores on U.S. military bases under long-term concessions contracts. Harrigan emphasized the potential risks associated with allowing a Chinese-owned company to operate on military installations. He highlighted the store’s access to sensitive health information of customers and the possibility of using this data for intelligence gathering purposes.

Moreover, Harrigan pointed out the cybersecurity risks posed by GNC’s presence on military bases. He expressed concerns about the store’s ability to track troop movements through WiFi and mobile data tracking. Additionally, loyalty apps and promotional materials could be used to introduce malicious software or links.

Despite these concerns, GNC did not disclose its Chinese ownership on the federal registry for government contractors in 2023 and 2024. Former U.S. senator Marco Rubio had previously raised alarms about GNC’s sale to Harbin and warned about the potential transfer of customers’ personal data to the Chinese Communist Party.

In conclusion, the presence of a Chinese-owned company like GNC on U.S. military bases raises significant national security concerns. Harrigan’s bill aims to address these issues and ensure that foreign adversaries do not have the opportunity to undermine U.S. military readiness from within the bases. It is crucial to prioritize the integrity and security of military installations to safeguard against potential threats posed by foreign entities.