Who Owns Nature Bounty? Tracing the Vitamin Brand's Corporate History

October 3, 2025 •

3 min read

In a significant 2021 transaction valued at $5.75 billion, the global food and beverage giant Nestlé acquired the core brands of The Bountiful Company, confirming who owns Nature Bounty. This strategic move integrated the popular vitamin and supplement brand into Nestlé's growing health science division.

Quick Summary

Nestlé Health Science currently owns the Nature's Bounty brand after acquiring The Bountiful Company in 2021, marking the latest chapter in the vitamin brand's extensive history of corporate ownership under various private equity firms.

Key Points

Current Owner: Nature's Bounty is owned by Nestlé Health Science, which acquired its parent company, The Bountiful Company, in 2021.
Acquisition Value: The 2021 deal was valued at $5.75 billion and included other brands like Solgar and Puritan's Pride.
Private Equity History: Before Nestlé, the brand was majority-owned by private equity firm KKR & Co. and previously had investment from the Carlyle Group.
Corporate Rebranding: The parent company's name changed from NBTY to The Nature's Bounty Co. in 2016, leveraging the brand's name recognition.
Recent Market Review: As of August 2025, Nestlé is reportedly considering a sale of underperforming vitamin brands, including Nature's Bounty, to boost growth.

The Acquisition That Placed Nature's Bounty Under Nestlé

The story of who owns Nature Bounty changed definitively in 2021 when Nestlé Health Science completed its acquisition of the core brands of The Bountiful Company. The $5.75 billion deal included several well-known brands, including Nature's Bounty, Solgar, Osteo Bi-Flex, and Puritan's Pride. The purchase was part of a larger strategic push by Nestlé to expand its footprint in the consumer health and wellness market, specifically targeting the vitamins, minerals, and supplements sector. The transaction, which concluded in August 2021, saw Don Kerrigan, a key executive from The Bountiful Company, join Nestlé Health Science to oversee the newly acquired U.S. vitamin, mineral, and supplement business.

The Brand's Complex History of Corporate Owners

Before landing with Nestlé, Nature's Bounty had a multi-decade history involving several shifts in ownership, largely driven by private equity investment. The brand was the flagship of a company formerly known as NBTY, which later rebranded to The Nature's Bounty Co. in 2016.

The Private Equity Era

Carlyle Group: In 2010, the Carlyle Group, a global investment firm, invested in the then-NBTY, taking it private. This move marked a significant phase of consolidation and expansion for the company under private ownership.
KKR & Co.: Years later, in 2017, the company saw another major change when private equity firm KKR & Co. acquired a majority stake from the Carlyle Group. Carlyle retained a minority stake, but KKR became the new controlling owner, leading the company through a period of modernization and market repositioning in the years leading up to the sale to Nestlé.

The Journey to The Bountiful Company

The 2016 rebranding from NBTY to The Nature's Bounty Co. was a strategic decision to leverage the flagship brand's strong equity with consumers. This set the stage for the company's eventual sale to Nestlé, highlighting the value built over years under various corporate structures.

Shifting Strategies and Potential Future Sale

In August 2025, reports emerged indicating that Nestlé was considering a review of its vitamin, mineral, and supplements portfolio, and potentially selling underperforming brands, including Nature's Bounty. This news highlights the dynamic nature of corporate ownership in the fast-moving consumer goods industry. The reports suggest that slowing sales of some brands acquired in the 2021 deal prompted the review, as Nestlé shifts focus towards more premium, science-backed offerings within its health division. For consumers, this could signal future changes for the brand, as a new owner might bring different strategic priorities to the forefront.

Comparison of Recent Ownership Eras


Feature	KKR & Co. (2017-2021)	Nestlé Health Science (2021-Present)
Ownership Type	Majority private equity ownership	Corporate ownership by multinational food giant
Primary Goal	Investment growth, potential public offering	Expand into health and wellness, portfolio diversification
Associated Brands	Nature's Bounty, Solgar, Puritan's Pride	Integrates with Nestlé brands like Garden of Life, Vital Proteins
Company Identity	The Bountiful Company	Nestlé Health Science division
Recent Outlook	Led to a successful $5.75 billion sale	Considering a strategic review and potential brand divestment

Conclusion: A History of Evolution

The ownership history of Nature's Bounty is a testament to the evolving nature of the health and wellness industry. What began as a venture under its founding entity, NBTY, transitioned through significant periods of private equity stewardship under the Carlyle Group and KKR & Co. before its most recent chapter. The 2021 acquisition by Nestlé Health Science placed the brand within a global health and nutrition powerhouse, but recent market reviews suggest that the brand's corporate journey may continue to evolve. Consumers who rely on the products are now watching closely to see what the future holds for this long-standing supplement provider.

Visit the official Nestlé press release for details on the acquisition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nestlé Health Science completed its acquisition of The Bountiful Company, which owned Nature's Bounty, in August 2021.

Nestlé Health Science acquired the core brands of The Bountiful Company, the parent entity of the Nature's Bounty brand.

Yes, prior to the Nestlé acquisition, Nature's Bounty was controlled by private equity firm KKR & Co. from 2017 to 2021 and had a previous investment from the Carlyle Group.

In addition to Nature's Bounty, the 2021 acquisition by Nestlé included other brands like Solgar, Osteo Bi-Flex, and Puritan's Pride.

The Bountiful Company was formerly known as NBTY, before rebranding in 2016 to better align with its flagship brand.

As of recent reports, Nestlé is considering a review of its vitamin portfolio and may sell underperforming brands like Nature's Bounty, though no definitive decision has been announced.

The acquisition was part of Nestlé's strategy to become a "health and nutrition powerhouse" and expand its presence in the growing market for vitamins, minerals, and supplements.