COMPANY CONTACT                                                 AGENCY CONTACT
JOSEPH W. BATY, SENIOR VP, FINANCE                     KEITH LIPPERT/ADAM ARON
(801) 975-5000                                  LIPPERT/HEILSHORN & ASSOCIATES
E-MAIL:JOEB@CORP.WEIDER.COM                      (212) 838-3777/(415) 433-3777
                                                           EMAIL:ADAM@LHAI.COM

               WEIDER NUTRITION INTERNATIONAL, INC. TO ACQUIRE
                                    HALEKO

          HALEKO IS THE LARGEST SPORTS NUTRITION COMPANY IN EUROPE -

      Salt Lake City, UT, July 10, 1998 -- Weider Nutrition International, Inc.
(NYSE: WNI) today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire and
then combine Haleko with its European subsidiary, Weider Nutrition Group Ltd., a
United Kingdom corporation. Based in Hamburg, Germany, Haleko, with revenues
exceeding $65 million for the twelve months ending May 31, 1998, is the largest
sports nutrition company in Europe, and its products are distributed in all
major European markets. The purchase price is comprised of $25 million in cash,
200,000 shares of WNI stock, and an $8 million contingent earnout agreement tied
to future financial performance. In addition, $16 million in long-term debt will
be assumed and $5 million in acquisition-related capital costs are expected. The
acquisition is expected to close within 45 days, subject to customary closing
conditions and approvals.

      Haleko has powder and capsule and tablet manufacturing capability and
currently sells product in over 20,000 retail outlets, including health clubs
and gyms, health food stores, and mass volume retailers. Haleko's branded
products include Multipower, Multaben, and Champ. Haleko's business also
includes a range of active sportswear that is sold in health clubs throughout
Europe under the brand name Venice Beach.

      Richard Bizzaro, chief executive officer of Weider Nutrition, stated, "The
core of our long-term strategy is to be a leading worldwide marketer and
manufacturer of nutritional supplements. The European population of 350 million
has similar demographics to the United States and an increasing health
consciousness. We expect the acquisition of Haleko to position Weider as the
leading nutritional supplements company in Europe."

      Robert Reynolds, chief operating officer of Weider Nutrition, added, "The
nutritional supplements industry in Europe presents unique challenges. Haleko,
with its leading brands, has a 20-year history of delivering quality nutritional
products throughout the European continent. We are delighted that Haleko's
proven management team will continue to lead the business. In combination with
Weider's existing resources, Haleko's manufacturing expertise, broad
distribution, multiple brands, and experienced management will allow us to
pursue the same successful strategy in Europe that we have implemented in the
United States."

      Weider Nutrition International, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of branded
and private label nutritional supplements and is a leading marketer of multiple
brands of nutritional supplements through multiple distribution channels. The
Company manufactures a broad range of capsules and tablets, powdered drink
mixes, bottled beverages, and nutritional bars.

      Except for historical information contained herein, the matters discussed
in the press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of Securities Act of 1993, as amended and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, that are based on management's beliefs and
assumptions, current expectations, estimates and projections. Many of the
factors that will determine the Company's future results are beyond the ability
of the Company to control or predict. These statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties and, therefore, actual results may differ materially. The Company
disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise.

      Important factors that may affect future results include, but are not
limited to: the impact of competitive products and pricing, product development,
changes in laws and regulations, customer demand, litigation, availability of
future financing, uncertainty of market acceptance of new products, and other
risks detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, copies of which
are available upon request from the Company's investor relations department.