Document:

<PAGE>

                                                                     Exhibit 4.2

              INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE

===============                                               ==================

      No.             First Niagara Financial Group, Inc.           Shares

===============                                               ==================

                          FULLY PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE
                              PAR VALUE $0.01 EACH

                                                  THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS
                                                    CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO
                                                  RESTRICTIONS, SEE REVERSE SIDE

THIS CERTIFIES that                                              is the owner of

                             SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

                       First Niagara Financial Group, Inc.
                             a Delaware corporation

     The shares evidenced by this certificate are transferable only on the books
of  First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. by the holder hereof, in person or by
attorney, upon surrender of this certificate properly endorsed. The capital
stock evidenced hereby is not an account of an insurable type and is not insured
by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other Federal or state
governmental agency.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. has caused this
certificate to be executed by the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized
officers and has caused a facsimile of its seal to be hereunto affixed.

By   __________________________      [SEAL]      By  ___________________________
     Robert N. Murphy                                William E. Swan
     CORPORATE SECRETARY                             PRESIDENT AND CHIEF
                                                     EXECUTIVE OFFICER

<PAGE>

     The Board of Directors of First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. (the
"Company") is authorized by resolution or resolutions, from time to time
adopted, to provide for the issuance of more than one class of stock, including
preferred stock in series, and to fix and state the voting powers, designations,
preferences, limitations and restrictions thereof. The Company will furnish to
any shareholder upon request and without charge a full description of each class
of stock and any series thereof.

     The shares evidenced by this Certificate are subject to a limitation
contained in the Certificate of Incorporation to the effect that in no event
shall any record owner of any outstanding Common Stock which is beneficially
owned, directly or indirectly, by a person who beneficially owns in excess of
10% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (the "Limit") be entitled or
permitted to any vote in respect of shares held in excess of the Limit.

     The shares represented by this Certificate may not be cumulatively voted on
any matter. The Certificate of Incorporation requires the affirmative vote of
the holders of at least 80% of the voting stock of the Corporation, voting
together as a single class, to approve certain transactions and to amend certain
provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation.

     The following abbreviations when used in the inscription on the face of
this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations.

<TABLE>
     <S>                                           <C>
     TEN COM   - as tenants in common             UNIF GIFT MIN ACT    - _________ Custodian ___________
                                                                         (Cust)                   (Minor)
     TEN ENT   - as tenants by the entireties
                                                                       Under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act

     JT TEN    - as joint tenants with right
                 of survivorship and not as
                 tenants in common                                     ___________ _____________________
                                                                                     (State)
</TABLE>

Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list

For value received, _____________________ hereby sell, assign and transfer unto

PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER

----------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------

__________________________________________________________________ _____________
    (please print or typewrite name and address including postal zip code of
                                    assignee)

__________________________________________________________________ _____________

__________________________________________________________________ ____Shares of
the Common Stock represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby
irrevocably constitute and appoint ____________________________________ Attorney
to transfer the said shares on the books of the within named corporation with
full power of substitution in the premises.

Dated, ____________________________

In the presence of                              Signature:

_______________________________________         _______________________ ________

NOTE: THE SIGNATURE TO THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME OF THE
STOCKHOLDER(S) AS WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF THE CERTIFICATE, IN EVERY PARTICULAR,
WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT, OR ANY CHANGE WHATSOEVER.---------------------------------------

                               Nutrition 21, Inc.

                                       and

              American Stock Transfer & Trust Co., as Rights Agent

                         dated as of September 12, 2002

                     ---------------------------------------

<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section 1   Definitions ....................................................   1
Section 2   Appointment of Rights Agent ....................................   5
Section 3   Issue of Rights Certificate ....................................   5
Section 4   Form of Rights Certificates ....................................   7
Section 5   Countersignature and Registration ..............................   7
Section 6   Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange of
            Rights Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or
            Stolen Rights Certificates .....................................   8
Section 7   Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration Date of Rights ..   8
Section 8   Cancellation and Destruction of Rights Certificates ............   9
Section 9   Status and Availability of Preferred Stock .....................  10
Section 10  Preferred Shares Record Date ...................................  11
Section 11  Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number of Shares or Number
            of Rights ......................................................  11
Section 12  Certificate of Adjustment ......................................  18
Section 13  Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or
            Earning Power ..................................................  19
Section 14  Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares ........................  20
Section 15  Rights of Action ...............................................  21
Section 16  Agreements of Rights Holders ...................................  21
Section 17  Rights Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Stockholder .............  21
Section 18  Concerning the Rights Agent ....................................  22
Section 19  Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent ......  22
Section 20  Duties of Rights Agent .........................................  23
Section 21  Change of Rights Agent .........................................  24
Section 22  Issuance of New Rights Certificates ............................  25
Section 23  Redemption .....................................................  25
Section 24  Notice of Certain Events .......................................  26
Section 25  Notices ........................................................  27
Section 26  Supplements and Amendments .....................................  28
Section 27  Successors .....................................................  28
Section 28  Benefits of This Agreement .....................................  28
Section 29  Severability ...................................................  28
Section 30  Governing Law ..................................................  28

                                       i
<PAGE>

Section 31  Counterparts ...................................................  29
Section 32  Descriptive Headings ...........................................  29
Section 33  Administration .................................................  29
Signatures  ................................................................  29
Exhibit A   -   Form of Certificate of Designation ......................... A-1
Exhibit B   -   Form of Right Certificate .................................. B-1
Exhibit C   -   Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Stock .............. C-1

                                       ii
<PAGE>

Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

      RIGHTS AGREEMENT dated as of September 12, 2002, between NUTRITION 21,
INC., a New York corporation (the "Company"), and AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER &
TRUST COMPANY, a New York corporation (the "Rights Agent").

                                    PREAMBLE

      On September 12, 2002 (the "Rights Dividend Declaration Date"), the Board
of Directors of the Company (the "Board") authorized and declared a dividend
distribution of one preferred share purchase right (a "Right") for each share of
common stock, par value $0.005 per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock")
outstanding at the close of business on September 25, 2002 (the "Record Date"),
and has authorized the issuance of one Right (as such number may be hereinafter
adjusted pursuant to the terms hereof) with respect to each additional share of
Common Stock that shall become outstanding between the Record Date and the
earliest of Close of Business on the Distribution Date, the Redemption Date and
Close of Business on the Final Expiration Date, each Right representing the
right to purchase one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share (as hereinafter
defined), or such different amount and/or kind of securities as shall be
hereinafter provided.

      The parties wish to enter into this Agreement in order to set forth the
terms of the Rights.

      Accordingly, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements
herein set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:

         Section 1. DEFINITIONS.

            For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the
following meanings:

            (a)   "Acquiring Person" shall mean any Person who or which,
together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, shall be the
Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding,
but shall not include (i) the Company, (ii) any Subsidiary of the Company, (iii)
any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company,
(iv) any Person organized, appointed or established by the Company for or
pursuant to the terms of any such plan; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the foregoing
definition shall be subject to the following qualifications:

                        (i)   an Exempted Person shall not be become an
                  Acquiring Person unless such Exempted Person, together with
                  all Affiliates and Associates of such Exempted Person, shall
                  be the Beneficial Owner of 30% or more of the shares of Common
                  Stock then outstanding;

                        (ii)  no Person shall become an "Acquiring Person" as
                  the result of an acquisition of Common Stock by the Company
                  which, by reducing the number of shares outstanding, increases
                  the proportionate number of shares beneficially owned by such
                  Person to 15% (30% in the case of an Exempted Person) or more
                  of the shares of Common Stock of the Company then outstanding;
                  PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if a Person shall become the
                  Beneficial

                                       1
<PAGE>

       Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

                  Owner of 15% (30% in the case of an Exempted Person) or more
                  of the Common Stock of the Company then outstanding by reason
                  of share purchases by the Company and shall, after such share
                  purchases by the Company, become the Beneficial Owner of any
                  additional Common Stock of the Company constituting 1% or more
                  of the Common Stock outstanding as of the Close of business on
                  the date that such Person first becomes the Beneficial Owner
                  of 15% (30% in the case of an Exempted Person) or more of the
                  Common Stock of the Company, then such Person shall be deemed
                  to be an "Acquiring Person"; and

                        (iii) if the Board determines in good faith that a
                  Person who would otherwise be an ?Acquiring Person? became
                  such inadvertently (including, without limitation, because (x)
                  such Person was unaware that it beneficially owned a
                  percentage of Common Stock that would otherwise cause such
                  Person to be an ?Acquiring Person? or (y) such Person was
                  aware of the extent of its Beneficial ownership of Common
                  Stock but had no actual knowledge of the consequences of such
                  Beneficial ownership under this Agreement) and without any
                  intention of changing or influencing control of the company,
                  and if such person as promptly as practicable divested or
                  divests itself of Beneficial Ownership of a sufficient number
                  of shares of Common Stock so that such Person would no longer
                  be an "Acquiring Person," then such Person shall not be deemed
                  to be or to have become an ?Acquiring Person? for any purposes
                  of this Agreement.

            (b)   "Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective meanings
ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act Regulations, as in
effect on the date of this Agreement .

            (c)   A Person shall be deemed the "Beneficial Owner" of, and shall
be deemed to "beneficially own," any securities:

                        (i)   which such Person or any of such Person's
                  Affiliates or Associates, directly or indirectly, has the
                  right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable
                  immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any
                  agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in
                  writing) or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange
                  rights, other rights, warrants or options, or otherwise;
                  PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that a Person shall not be deemed the
                  "Beneficial Owner" of, or to "beneficially own," (A)
                  securities tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer
                  made by such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
                  Associates until such tendered securities are accepted for
                  purchase or exchange, or (B) securities issuable upon exercise
                  of Rights;

                        (ii)  which such Person or any of such Person's
                  Affiliates or Associates, directly or indirectly, has
                  "beneficial ownership" of or

                                       2
<PAGE>

       Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

                  has the right to vote or dispose of (in each case as
                  determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act
                  Regulations), including pursuant to any agreement, arrangement
                  or understanding, whether or not in writing; PROVIDED,
                  HOWEVER, that a Person shall not be deemed the "Beneficial
                  Owner" of, or to "beneficially own," any security under this
                  subparagraph (ii) as a result of an agreement, arrangement or
                  understanding to vote such security if such agreement,
                  arrangement or understanding: (A) arises solely from a
                  revocable proxy given in response to a public proxy or consent
                  solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the
                  applicable provisions of the Exchange Act Regulations, and (B)
                  is not also then reportable by such Person on Schedule 13D
                  under the Exchange Act (or any comparable or successor
                  report); or

                        (iii) which are beneficially owned, directly or
                  indirectly, by any other Person (or any Affiliate or Associate
                  thereof) with which such Person (or any of such Person's
                  Affiliates or Associates) has any agreement, arrangement or
                  understanding (whether or not in writing), for the purpose of
                  acquiring, holding, voting (except pursuant to a revocable
                  proxy as described in the proviso to subparagraph (ii) of this
                  paragraph (c)) or disposing of any voting securities of the
                  Company;

PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that nothing in this paragraph (c) shall cause a Person
engaged in business as an underwriter of securities to be the "Beneficial Owner"
of, or to "beneficially own," any securities that such Person acquires, or has
the right to acquire, pursuant to customary agreements with the Company and/or
between underwriters and selling group members with respect to a bona fide
public offering of securities. Notwithstanding anything in the definition of
Beneficial Ownership to the contrary, the phrase "then outstanding," when used
with reference to a Person's Beneficial Ownership of securities of the Company,
shall mean the number of such securities then issued and outstanding together
with the number of such securities not then actually issued and outstanding
which such Person would be deemed to own beneficially hereunder.

            (d)   "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday,
Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are
authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

            (e)   "Close of business" on any given date shall mean 5:00 P.M.,
New York City time, on such date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if such date is not a
Business Day it shall mean 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the next succeeding
Business Day.

            (f)   "Common Stock" when used with reference to the Company shall
mean the shares of common stock, par value $0.005 per share, of the Company.

            (g)   "Common Stock" when used with reference to any Person other
than the Company shall mean the capital stock (or equity interest) with the
greatest voting power of such other Person or, if such other Person is a
Subsidiary of another

                                       3
<PAGE>

       Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

Person, the Person or Persons which ultimately control such first-mentioned
Person.

            (h)   "Common Stock Equivalents" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 11(a)(iii) hereof.

            (i)   "Company" shall have the meaning set forth in the introductory
paragraph to this Agreement.

            (j)   "current per share market price" shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 11(d)(i) hereof.

            (k)   "Current Value" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
11(a)(iii) hereof.

            (l)   "Distribution Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3(a) hereof.

            (m)   "Equivalent Preferred Shares" shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 11(b) hereof.

            (n)   "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended.

            (o)   "Exchange Act Regulations" shall mean the General Rules and
Regulations under the Exchange Act.

            (p)   "Exempted Person" shall mean any Person who is the Beneficial
Owner, on the date hereof, of securities representing 15% or more of the shares
of Common Stock outstanding on the date hereof (excluding any such Person who
has failed to disclose such Beneficial Ownership in violation of any provision
of the Exchange Act).

            (q)   "Final Expiration Date" shall mean September 11, 2012

            (r)   "Person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation,
partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, business trust,
limited liability company, unincorporated association or other entity, and shall
include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity.

            (s)   "Preferred Shares" shall mean shares of Series H Participating
Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company having such rights
and preferences upon adoption as are set forth in the form of Certificate of
Amendment set forth as Exhibit A hereto.

            (t)   "Purchase Price" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
7(b) hereof.

            (u)   "Record Date" shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble
to this Agreement.

            (v)   "Redemption Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
23(b) hereof.

            (w)   "Redemption Price" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
23(a) hereof.

                                       4
<PAGE>

       Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

            (x)   "Right" shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble to
this Agreement.

            (y)   "Right Certificate" shall mean a certificate evidencing a
Right in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto.

            (z)   "Rights Agent" shall have the meaning set forth in the
introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

            (aa)  "Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date" shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 11(a)(iii) hereof.

            (bb)  "Shares Acquisition Date" shall mean the earlier of the date
of (i) the public announcement by the Company or an Acquiring Person that an
Acquiring Person has become such or (ii) the public disclosure of facts by the
Company or an Acquiring Person indicating that an Acquiring Person has become
such.

            (cc)  "Spread" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
11(a)(iii) hereof.

            (dd)  "Subsidiary" of any Person shall mean any Person of which a
majority of the voting power of the voting equity securities or equity interest
is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person.

            (ee)  "Substitution Period" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 11(a)(iii) hereof.

            (ff)  "Summary of Rights" shall mean the Summary of Rights to
Purchase Preferred Shares in substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto.

            (gg)  "Trading Day" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
11(d)(i) hereof.

            (hh)  "Voting Stock," as of the date of any determination, shall
mean the shares of Common Stock then outstanding and any other shares of capital
stock of the Company then outstanding which are entitled to vote upon matters
submitted to the shareholders of the Company for a vote.

         Section 2. APPOINTMENT OF RIGHTS AGENT.

            The Company hereby appoints the Rights Agent to act as agent for the
Company and the holders of the Rights (who, in accordance with Section 3 hereof,
shall prior to the Distribution Date also be the holders of the Common Stock) in
accordance with the terms and conditions hereof, and the Rights Agent hereby
accepts such appointment.

         Section 3. ISSUE OF RIGHT CERTIFICATES.

            (a)   Until the earlier of (i) the Close of Business on the tenth
calendar day after the Shares Acquisition Date or (ii) the tenth Business Day
(or such later date as may be determined by action of the Board of Directors
prior to such time as any Person becomes an Acquiring Person) after the date of
the commencement by any Person (other than the Company, any Subsidiary of the
Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the
Company or any entity

                                       5
<PAGE>

       Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

organized, appointed or established by the Company for or pursuant to the terms
of any such plan) of, or of the first public announcement of the intention of
any Person (other than any of the Persons referred to in the preceding
parenthetical) to commence, a tender or exchange offer the consummation of which
would result in any Person becoming an Acquiring Person (such date being herein
referred to as the "Distribution Date"), (x) the Rights will be evidenced
(subject to the provisions of Section 3(b) hereof) by the certificates for
Common Stock registered in the names of the holders thereof (which certificates
shall also be deemed to be Right Certificates) and not by separate Right
Certificates, and (y) the Rights will be transferable only in connection with
the transfer of Common Stock. As soon as practicable after the Distribution
Date, the Company will prepare and execute, the Rights Agent will countersign,
and the Company will send or cause to be sent (and the Rights Agent will, if
requested, send) by first-class, insured, postage-prepaid mail, to each record
holder of Common Stock as of the Close of Business on the Distribution Date, at
the address of such holder shown on the records of the Company, a Right
Certificate evidencing one Right for each share of Common Stock so held. From
and after the Distribution Date, the Rights will be evidenced solely by such
Right Certificates.

            (b)   On the Record Date, or as soon as practicable thereafter, the
Company will send a copy of the Summary of Rights by first-class,
postage-prepaid mail, to each record holder of Common Stock as of the Close of
Business on the Record Date, at the address of such holder shown on the records
of the Company. With respect to certificates for Common Stock outstanding as of
the Record Date, until the Close of Business on the Distribution Date, the
Rights will be evidenced by such certificates registered in the names of the
holders thereof together with a copy of the Summary of Rights. Until the Close
of Business on the Distribution Date (or, if earlier the Redemption Date or the
Close of Business on the Final Expiration Date), the surrender for transfer of
any certificate for Common Stock outstanding on the Record Date, with or without
a copy of the Summary of Rights attached thereto, shall also constitute the
transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Stock evidenced thereby.

            (c)   Certificates for Common Stock which become outstanding
(including, without limitation, reacquired Common Stock referred to in the last
sentence of this paragraph (c)) after the Record Date but prior to the earliest
of the Close of Business on the Distribution Date, the Redemption Date or the
Close of Business on the Final Expiration Date shall have impressed on, printed
on, written on or otherwise affixed to them the following legend:

            This certificate also evidences and entitles the holder hereof to
            certain Rights as set forth in a Rights Agreement between Nutrition
            21, Inc. and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, dated as of
            September 12, 2002 (the "Rights Agreement"), the terms of which are
            hereby incorporated herein by reference and a copy of which is on
            file at the principal executive offices of Nutrition 21, Inc. Under
            certain circumstances, as set forth in the Rights Agreement, such
            Rights will be evidenced by separate certificates and will no longer
            be evidenced by this certificate. Nutrition 21, Inc. will mail to
            the holder of this certificate

                                       6
<PAGE>

       Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

            a copy of the Rights Agreement without charge after receipt of a
            written request therefor. Under certain circumstances, as set forth
            in the Rights Agreement, Rights that are or were acquired or
            beneficially owned by Acquiring Persons (as defined in the Rights
            Agreement) may become null and void.

            With respect to such certificates containing the foregoing legend,
until the Close of Business on the Distribution Date, the Rights associated with
the Common Stock represented by certificates shall be evidenced by such
certificates alone, and the surrender for transfer of any such certificate shall
also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Stock
represented thereby.

            In the event that the Company purchases or acquires any Common Stock
after the Record Date but prior to the Close of Business on the Distribution
Date, any Rights associated with such Common Stock shall be deemed canceled and
retired so that the Company shall not be entitled to exercise any Rights
associated with the shares of Common Stock which are no longer outstanding.

         Section 4. FORM OF RIGHT CERTIFICATES.

            The Right Certificates (and the forms of election to purchase
      Preferred Shares and of assignment to be printed on the reverse thereof)
      shall be substantially the same as Exhibit B hereto and may have such
      marks of identification or designation and such legends, summaries or
      endorsements printed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as
      are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, or as may be
      required to comply with any applicable law or with any rule or regulation
      made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange
      or transaction reporting system on which the Rights may from time to time
      be listed, or to conform to usage. Subject to the other provisions of this
      Agreement, the Right Certificates shall entitle the holders thereof to
      purchase such number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share as shall
      be set forth therein at the Purchase Price, but the number of one
      one-thousandths of a Preferred Share and the Purchase Price shall be
      subject to adjustment as provided herein.

         Section 5. COUNTERSIGNATURE AND REGISTRATION.

            (a)   The Right Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the
Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its
President, any of its Vice Presidents, or its Chief Financial Officer, either
manually or by facsimile signature, shall have affixed thereto the Company's
seal or a facsimile thereof, and shall be attested by the Secretary or any
Assistant Secretary of the Company, either manually or by facsimile signature.
The Right Certificates shall be countersigned by the Rights Agent and shall not
be valid for any purpose unless so countersigned, either manually or by
facsimile. In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the
Right Certificates shall cease to be such officer of the Company before
countersignature by the Rights Agent and issuance and delivery by the Company,
such Right Certificates, nevertheless, may be countersigned by the Rights Agent
and issued and delivered by the Company with the same force and effect as though
the person who signed such Right Certificates had not ceased to be such officer
of the Company; and any

                                       7
<PAGE>

       Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

Right Certificate may be signed on behalf of the Company by any person who, at
the actual date of the execution of such Right Certificate, shall be a proper
officer of the Company to sign such Right Certificate, although at the date of
the execution of this Rights Agreement any such person was not such an officer.

            (b)   Following the Distribution Date, the Rights Agent will keep or
cause to be kept, at its principal office, books for registration of the
transfer of the Right Certificates issued hereunder. Such books shall show the
names and addresses of the respective holders of the Right Certificates, the
number of Rights evidenced by each of the Right Certificates and the date of
each of the Right Certificates.

         Section 6. TRANSFER, SPLIT UP, COMBINATION AND EXCHANGE OF RIGHT
      CERTIFICATES; MUTILATED, DESTROYED, LOST OR STOLEN RIGHT CERTIFICATES.

            (a)   Subject to the provisions of Section 14 hereof, at any time
after the Close of Business on the Distribution Date, and prior to the earlier
of the Redemption Date or the Close of Business on the Final Expiration Date,
any Right Certificate or Right Certificates (other than Right Certificates
representing Rights that have become void pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof)
may be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged for another Right
Certificate or Right Certificates, entitling the registered holder to purchase a
like number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share as the Right Certificate
or Right Certificates surrendered then entitled such holder to purchase. Any
registered holder desiring to transfer, split up, combine or exchange any Right
Certificate or Right Certificates shall make such request in writing delivered
to the Rights Agent, and shall surrender the Right Certificate or Right
Certificates to be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged at the principal
office of the Rights Agent. Thereupon the Rights Agent shall countersign and
deliver to the person entitled thereto a Right Certificate or Right
Certificates, as the case may be, as so requested. The Company may require
payment of a sum sufficient for any tax or governmental charge that may be
imposed in connection with any transfer, split up, combination or exchange of
Right Certificates.

            (b)   Upon receipt by the Company and the Rights Agent of evidence
reasonably satisfactory to them of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of
a Right Certificate, and, in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or
security reasonably satisfactory to them, and, at the Company's request,
reimbursement to the Company and the Rights Agent of all reasonable expenses
incidental thereto, and upon surrender to the Rights Agent and cancellation of
the Right Certificate if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new
Right Certificate of like tenor to the Rights Agent for delivery to the
registered holder in lieu of the Right Certificate so lost, stolen, destroyed or
mutilated.

         Section 7. EXERCISE OF RIGHTS; PURCHASE PRICE; EXPIRATION DATE OF
      RIGHTS.

            (a)   The registered holder of any Right Certificate (other than a
holder whose Rights have become void pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof or
have been redeemed pursuant to Section 23 hereof) may exercise the Rights
evidenced thereby in whole or in part at any time after the Distribution Date
and prior to the Final Expiration Date upon surrender of the Right Certificate,
with the form of election to purchase on

                                       8
<PAGE>

       Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

the reverse side thereof duly executed, to the Rights Agent at its principal
office, together with payment of the Purchase Price for each one one-thousandth
of a Preferred Share as to which the Rights are exercised, prior to the Close of
Business on the Final Expiration Date.

            (b)   The purchase price for each one one-thousandth of a Preferred
Share to be purchased upon the exercise of a Right shall initially be Three
Dollars ($3.00) (the "Purchase Price"), shall be subject to adjustment from time
to time as provided in Sections 11 and 13 hereof and shall be payable in lawful
money of the United States of America in accordance with paragraph (c) below.

            (c)   Upon receipt of a Right Certificate representing exercisable
Rights, with the form of election to purchase and certificate duly executed,
accompanied by payment of the Purchase Price for the number of one
one-thousandths of a Preferred Share to be purchased, and an amount equal to any
applicable transfer tax required to be paid by the holder of such Right
Certificate in accordance with Section 9 hereof, in cash or by certified check,
cashier's check or money order payable to the order of the Company, the Rights
Agent shall thereupon promptly (i) requisition from any transfer agent of the
Preferred Shares certificates for the number of one one-thousandths of a
Preferred Share to be purchased and the Company hereby irrevocably authorizes
its transfer agent to comply with all such requests, (ii) when appropriate,
requisition from the Company the amount of cash to be paid in lieu of issuance
of fractional Preferred Shares in accordance with Section 14 hereof, (iii) after
receipt of such certificates, cause the same to be delivered to or upon the
order of the registered holder of such Right Certificate, registered in such
name or names as may be designated by such holder and (iv) when appropriate,
after receipt, deliver such cash to or upon the order of the registered holder
of such Right Certificate.

            (d)   In case the registered holder of any Right Certificate shall
exercise less than all the Rights evidenced thereby, a new Right Certificate
evidencing Rights equivalent to the Rights remaining unexercised shall be issued
by the Rights Agent to the registered holder of such Right Certificate or to
such registered holder's duly authorized assigns, subject to the provisions of
Section 14 hereof.

            (e)   Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
neither the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to undertake any
action with respect to a registered holder upon the occurrence of any purported
exercise as set forth in this Section 7 unless such registered holder shall have
(i) completed and signed the certificate contained in the form of election to
purchase set forth on the reverse side of the Right Certificate surrendered for
such exercise and (ii) provided such additional evidence of the identity of the
Beneficial Owner (and/or former Beneficial Owner) or Affiliates or Associates
thereof as the Company shall reasonably request.

         Section 8. CANCELLATION AND DESTRUCTION OF RIGHT CERTIFICATES.

            All Right Certificates surrendered for the purpose of exercise,
transfer, split up, combination or exchange shall, if surrendered to the Company
or to any of its agents, be delivered to the Rights Agent for cancellation or in
canceled form, or, if surrendered to the Rights Agent, shall be canceled by it,
and no Right Certificates

                                       9
<PAGE>

       Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the
provisions of this Rights Agreement. The Company shall deliver to the Rights
Agent for cancellation and retirement, and the Rights Agent shall so cancel and
retire, any other Right Certificate purchased or acquired by the Company
otherwise than upon the exercise thereof. The Rights Agent shall deliver all
canceled Right Certificates to the Company, or shall, at the written request of
the Company, destroy such canceled Right Certificates, and in such case shall
deliver a certificate of destruction thereof to the Company.

         Section 9. STATUS AND AVAILABILITY OF PREFERRED SHARES.

            (a)   The Company covenants and agrees that it will take all such
action as may be necessary to ensure that all Preferred Shares delivered upon
exercise of Rights shall, at the time of delivery of the certificates for such
Preferred Shares (subject to payment of the Purchase Price), be duly and validly
authorized and issued and fully paid and non-assessable shares.

            (b)   The Company further covenants and agrees that it will pay when
due and payable any and all federal and state transfer taxes and charges which
may be payable in respect of the issuance or delivery of the Right Certificates
or of any Preferred Shares upon the exercise of Rights. The Company shall not,
however, be required to pay any transfer tax which may be payable in respect of
any transfer or delivery of Right Certificates to a Person other than, or the
issuance or delivery of certificates in a name other than that of, the
registered holder of the Right Certificate evidencing Rights surrendered for
exercise or to issue or to deliver any certificates for Preferred Shares upon
the exercise of any Rights until any such tax shall have been paid (any such tax
being payable by the holder of such Right Certificate at the time of surrender)
or until it has been established to the Company's reasonable satisfaction that
no such tax is due.

            (c)   The Company shall use its best efforts to (i) file, as soon as
practicable following the first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date,
or as soon as is required by law following the Distribution Date, as the case
may be, a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act"), with respect to the securities purchasable upon exercise
of the Rights on an appropriate form, (ii) cause such registration statement to
become effective as soon as practicable after such filing, and (iii) cause such
registration statement to remain effective (with a prospectus at all times
meeting the requirements of the Securities Act) until the earlier of (A) the
date as of which the Rights are no longer exercisable, and (B) the Final
Expiration Date. The Company will also take such action as may be appropriate
under, or to ensure compliance with, the securities or "blue sky" laws of the
various states in connection with the exercisability of the Rights. The Company
may temporarily suspend, for a period of time not to exceed ninety (90) days
after the date on which it first becomes obligated to file a registration
statement as described above, the exercisability of the Rights in order to
prepare and file such registration statement and permit it to become effective.
Upon any such suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement stating
that the exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended, as well as
a public announcement at such time as the suspension is no longer in effect.
Notwithstanding any

                                       10
<PAGE>

       Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Rights shall not be exercisable
in any jurisdiction if the requisite qualification in such jurisdiction shall
not have been obtained or the exercise thereof shall not be permitted under
applicable law or a registration statement shall not have been declared
effective.

            (d)   The Company covenants and agrees that it will use its best
efforts to cause to be reserved and kept available, out of its authorized and
unissued Preferred Shares or any Preferred Shares held in its treasury, the
number of Preferred Shares that will be sufficient to permit the exercise in
full of all outstanding Rights in accordance with Section 7 hereof. Upon the
occurrence of any events resulting in an increase in the aggregate number of
shares of Preferred Stock (or other equity securities of the Company) issuable
upon exercise of all outstanding Rights above the number then reserved, the
Company shall make appropriate increases in the number of shares so reserved.

         Section 10. PREFERRED SHARES RECORD DATE.

            Each person in whose name any certificate for Preferred Shares is
issued upon the exercise of Rights shall for all purposes be deemed to have
become the holder of record of the Preferred Shares represented thereby on, and
such certificate shall be dated, the date upon which the Right Certificate
evidencing such Rights was duly surrendered and payment of the Purchase Price
(and any applicable transfer taxes) was made. Prior to the exercise of the
Rights evidenced thereby, the holder of a Right Certificate shall not be
entitled to any rights of a holder of Preferred Shares for which the Rights
shall be exercisable, including, without limitation, the right to vote, to
receive dividends or other distributions or to exercise any preemptive rights,
and shall not be entitled to receive any notice of any proceedings of the
Company, except as provided herein.

         Section 11. ADJUSTMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE, NUMBER OF SHARES OR NUMBER
      OF RIGHTS.

            The Purchase Price, the number of Preferred Shares covered by each
Right and the number of Rights outstanding are subject to adjustment from time
to time as provided in this Section 11.

            (a)   (i)   In the event the Company shall at any time after the
date of this Agreement (A) declare a dividend on the Preferred Shares payable in
Preferred Shares, (B) subdivide the outstanding Preferred Shares, (C) combine
the outstanding Preferred Shares into a smaller number of Preferred Shares or
(D) issue any shares of its capital stock in a reclassification of the Preferred
Shares (including any such reclassification in connection with a consolidation
or merger in which the Company is the continuing or surviving corporation),
except as otherwise provided in this Section 11(a), the Purchase Price in effect
at the time of the record date for such dividend or of the effective date of
such subdivision, combination or reclassification, and the number and kind of
shares of capital stock issuable on such date, shall be proportionately adjusted
so that the holder of any Right exercised after such time shall be entitled to
receive the aggregate number and kind of shares of capital stock which, if such
Right had been exercised immediately prior to such date, such holder would have
owned upon such

                                       11
<PAGE>

       Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

exercise and been entitled to receive by virtue of such dividend, subdivision,
combination or reclassification; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in no event shall the
consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the
aggregate par value of the shares of capital stock of the Company issuable upon
exercise of one Right. If an event occurs which would require an adjustment
under both this Section 11(a)(i) and Section 11(a)(ii), the adjustment provided
for in this Section 11(a)(i) shall be in addition to, and shall be made prior,
to any adjustment required pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii).

            (ii)  Subject to the following paragraph of this subparagraph (ii),
in the event any Person shall become an Acquiring Person, each holder of a Right
shall thereafter have a right to receive, upon exercise thereof at a price equal
to the then current Purchase Price multiplied by the number of one
one-thousandths of a Preferred Share for which a Right is then exercisable, in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement and in lieu of Preferred Shares,
such number of shares of Common Stock of the Company as shall equal the result
obtained by (x) multiplying the then current Purchase Price by the number of one
one-thousandths of a Preferred Share for which a Right is then exercisable and
dividing that product by (y) 50% of the then current per share market price of
the Company's Common Stock (determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) on the
date such Person became an Acquiring Person. In the event that any Person shall
become an Acquiring Person and the Rights shall then be outstanding, the Company
shall not take any action that would eliminate or diminish the benefits intended
to be afforded by the Rights.

            From and after the occurrence of such an event, any Rights that are
or were beneficially owned or acquired by such Acquiring Person (or any
Associate or Affiliate of such Acquiring Person) on or after the earlier of (x)
the date of such event and (y) the Distribution Date shall be void and any
holder of such Rights shall thereafter have no right to exercise such Rights
under any provision of this Agreement. No Right Certificate shall be issued
pursuant to Section 3 that represents Rights beneficially owned by an Acquiring
Person whose Rights would be void pursuant to the preceding sentence or any
Associate or Affiliate thereof; no Right Certificate shall be issued at any time
upon the transfer of any Rights to an Acquiring Person whose Rights would be
void pursuant to the preceding sentence or any Associate or Affiliate thereof or
to any nominee of such Acquiring Person, Associate or Affiliate; and any Right
Certificate delivered to the Rights Agent for transfer to an Acquiring Person
whose Rights would be void pursuant to the preceding sentence or any Associate
or Affiliate thereof shall be canceled.

            (iii) In the event that the number of shares of Common Stock which
are authorized by the Company's certificate of incorporation and not outstanding
or subscribed for, or reserved or otherwise committed for issuance for purposes
other than upon exercise of the Rights, are not sufficient to permit the holder
of each Right to purchase the number of shares of Common Stock to which he would
be entitled upon the exercise in full of the Rights in accordance with the
foregoing subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (a) of this Section 11, or should the
Board of Directors so elect, the Company shall: (A) determine the excess of (1)
the value of the Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of a Right (calculated
as provided in the last sentence of this subparagraph (iii))

                                       12
<PAGE>

       Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof (the "Current Value") over (2) the
aggregate Purchase Price that would be payable upon full exercise of a Right
(such excess, the "Spread"), and (B) with respect to each Right, make adequate
provision to substitute for such Common Stock, upon payment of the applicable
Purchase Price, any one or more of the following having an aggregate value
determined by the Board of Directors to be equal to the Current Value: (1) cash,
(2) a reduction in the Purchase Price, (3) Common Stock or other equity
securities of the Company (including, without limitation, shares, or units of
shares, of preferred stock which the Board of Directors of the Company has
determined to have the same value as shares of Common Stock (such shares of
preferred stock, "Common Stock Equivalents")), (4) debt securities of the
Company, (5) other assets , or any combination of the foregoing, having an
aggregate value equal to the Current Value, where such aggregate value has been
determined by the Board of Directors of the Company based upon the advice of an
investment banking firm selected by the Board of Directors of the Company;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, if the Company shall not have made adequate provision to
deliver value pursuant to clause (B) above within thirty (30) days following the
first occurrence of an event triggering the rights to purchase Common Stock
described in Section 11(a)(ii) (the "Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date"), then the
Company shall be obligated to deliver, upon the surrender for exercise of a
Right and without requiring payment of the Purchase Price, shares of Common
Stock (to the extent available) and then, if necessary, cash, which shares and
cash have an aggregate value equal to the Spread. If the Board of Directors of
the Company shall determine in good faith that it is likely that sufficient
additional shares of Common Stock could be authorized for issuance upon exercise
in full of the Rights, the thirty (30) day period set forth above may be
extended to the extent necessary, but not more than ninety (90) days after the
Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date, in order that the Company may seek shareholder
approval for the authorization of such additional shares (such period, as it may
be extended, the "Substitution Period"). To the extent that the Company
determines that some action need be taken pursuant to the first and/or second
sentences of this Section 11(a)(iii), the Company (x) shall provide, subject to
the last paragraph of Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, that such action shall apply
uniformly to all outstanding Rights, and (y) may suspend the exercisability of
the Rights until the expiration of the Substitution Period in order to seek any
authorization of additional shares and/or to decide the appropriate form of
distribution to be made pursuant to such first sentence and to determine the
value thereof. In the event of any such suspension, the Company shall make a
public announcement, and shall deliver to the Rights Agent a statement, stating
that the exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended. At such
time as the suspension is no longer in effect, the Company shall make another
public announcement, and deliver to the Rights Agent a statement so stating. For
purposes of this Section 11(a)(iii), the value of the Common Stock shall be the
current per share market price (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(i)
hereof) of the Common Stock on the Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date and the value
of any Common Stock Equivalent shall be deemed to have the same value as the
Common Stock on such date.

            (b)   In the event that the Company shall fix a record date for the
issuance of rights, options or warrants to all holders of Preferred Shares
entitling them (for a period expiring within 45 calendar days after such record
date) to subscribe for or

                                       13
<PAGE>

       Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

purchase Preferred Shares (or shares having the same rights, privileges and
preferences as the Preferred Shares ("Equivalent Preferred Shares")) or
securities convertible into Preferred Shares or Equivalent Preferred Shares at a
price per Preferred Share or Equivalent Preferred Share (or having a conversion
price per share, if a security convertible into Preferred Shares or Equivalent
Preferred Shares) less than the then current per share market price of the
Preferred Shares (as defined in Section 11(d)) on such record date, the Purchase
Price to be in effect after such record date shall be adjusted by multiplying
the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such record date by a
fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of Preferred Shares
outstanding on such record date plus the number of Preferred Shares which the
aggregate offering price of the total number of Preferred Shares and/or
Equivalent Preferred Shares so to be offered (and/or the aggregate initial
conversion price of the convertible securities so to be offered) would purchase
at such current market price and the denominator of which shall be the number of
Preferred Shares outstanding on such record date plus the number of additional
Preferred Shares and/or Equivalent Preferred Shares to be offered for
subscription or purchase (or into which the convertible securities so to be
offered are initially convertible); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in no event shall
the consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the
aggregate par value of the shares of capital stock of the Company issuable upon
exercise of one Right. In case such subscription price may be paid in a
consideration part or all of which shall be in a form other than cash, the value
of such consideration shall be as determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement
filed with the Rights Agent. Preferred Shares owned by or held for the account
of the Company shall not be deemed outstanding for the purpose of any such
computation. Such adjustment shall be made successively whenever such a record
date is fixed; and in the event that such rights, options or warrants are not so
issued, the Purchase Price shall be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which
would then be in effect if such record date had not been fixed.

            (c)   In case the Company shall fix a record date for the making of
a distribution to all holders of the Preferred Shares (including any such
distribution made in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the
Company is the continuing or surviving corporation) of evidences of indebtedness
or assets (other than a regular quarterly cash dividend or a dividend payable in
Preferred Shares) or subscription rights or warrants (excluding those referred
to in Section 11(b) hereof), the Purchase Price to be in effect after such
record date shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect
immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the numerator of which
shall be the then current per share market price of the Preferred Shares on such
record date, less the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the
Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described in a
statement filed with the Rights Agent) of the portion of the assets or evidences
of indebtedness so to be distributed or of such subscription rights or warrants
applicable to one Preferred Share and the denominator of which shall be such
current per share market price of the Preferred Shares; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
in no event shall the consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be
less than the aggregate par value of the shares of capital stock of the Company
to be issued upon exercise of one Right. Such adjustments shall be made
successively whenever such a record date is

                                       14
<PAGE>

       Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

fixed; and in the event that such distribution is not so made, the Purchase
Price shall again be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would then be in
effect if such record date had not been fixed.

            (d)   (i)   For the purpose of any computation hereunder, the
"current per share market price" of any security (a "Security" for the purpose
of this Section 11(d)(i)) on any date shall be deemed to be the average of the
daily closing prices per share of such Security for the 30 consecutive Trading
Days (as such term is hereinafter defined) immediately prior to such date;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in the event that the current per share market price of
the Security is determined during a period following the announcement by the
issuer of such Security of (A) a dividend or distribution on such Security
payable in shares of such Security or securities convertible into such shares,
or (B) any subdivision, combination or reclassification of such Security and
prior to the expiration of 30 Trading Days after the ex-dividend date for such
dividend or distribution, or the record date for such subdivision, combination
or reclassification, then, and in each such case, the current per share market
price shall be appropriately adjusted by the Board of Directors to take into
account ex-dividend trading. The closing price for each day shall be the last
sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the
average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as
reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect
to securities listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange or,
if the Security is not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock
Exchange, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system
with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange
on which the Security is listed or admitted to trading or, if the Security is
not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last
sale price or, if such last sale price is not reported, the average of the high
bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by Nasdaq
or such other system then in use, or, if on any such date the Security is not
quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices
as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the Security
selected by the Board of Directors of the Company. If on any such date no market
maker is making a market in the Security, the fair value of such shares on such
date as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company shall
be used. The term "Trading Day" shall mean a day on which the principal national
securities exchange on which the Security is listed or admitted to trading is
open for the transaction of business or, if the Security is not listed or
admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, a Business Day.

            (ii)  For the purpose of any computation hereunder, the "current per
share market price" of the Preferred Shares shall be determined in accordance
with the method set forth in Section 11(d)(i). If the Preferred Shares are not
publicly traded, the "current per share market price" of the Preferred Shares
shall be conclusively deemed to be the current per share market price of the
Common Stock as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(i) (appropriately adjusted
to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring
after the date hereof), multiplied by 1,000. If neither the shares of Common
Stock nor the Preferred Shares are publicly held or so listed or traded,
"current per share market price" shall mean the fair value per share as
determined

                                       15
<PAGE>

       Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination
shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent.

            (e)   No adjustment in the Purchase Price shall be required unless
such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 1% in the
Purchase Price; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any adjustments which by reason of this
Section 11(e) are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken
into account in any subsequent adjustment. All calculations under this Section
11 shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest one ten-millionth of a
Preferred Share or one ten-thousandth of any other share or security as the case
may be. Notwithstanding the first sentence of this Section 11(e), any adjustment
required by this Section 11 shall be made no later than three years from the
date of the transaction which requires such adjustment.

            (f)   If as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Section 11(a)
hereof, the holder of any Right thereafter exercised shall become entitled to
receive any shares of capital stock of the Company other than Preferred Shares,
the number of such other shares so receivable upon exercise of any Right shall
thereafter be subject to adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms
as nearly equivalent as practicable to the provisions with respect to the
Preferred Shares contained in Section 11(a), (b),(c), (h), (i), (j), (k), (l),
(m) and (n) and the provisions of Sections 7, 9, 10 and 13 with respect to the
Preferred Shares shall apply on like terms to any such other shares.

            (g)   all Rights originally issued by the Company subsequent to any
adjustment made to the Purchase Price hereunder shall evidence the right to
purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, the number of one one-thousandths of a
Preferred Share purchasable from time to time hereunder upon exercise of the
Rights, all subject to further adjustment as provided herein.

            (h)   Unless the Company shall have exercised its election as
provided in Section 11(i), upon each adjustment of the Purchase Price as a
result of the calculations made in Sections 11(b) and (c), each Right
outstanding immediately prior to the making of such adjustment shall thereafter
evidence the right to purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, that number of
one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share (calculated to the nearest one
ten-millionth of a Preferred Share) obtained by (i) multiplying (x) the number
of one one-thousandths of a share covered by a Right immediately prior to this
adjustment by (y) the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such
adjustment of the Purchase Price and (ii) dividing the product so obtained by
the Purchase Price in effect immediately after such adjustment of the Purchase
Price.

            (i)   The Company may elect on or after the date of any adjustment
of the Purchase Price to adjust the number of Rights in substitution for any
adjustment in the number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share purchasable
upon the exercise of a Right. Each of the Rights outstanding after such
adjustment of the number of Rights shall be exercisable for the number of one
one-thousandths of a Preferred Share for which a Right was exercisable
immediately prior to such adjustment. Each Right held of record prior to such
adjustment of the number of Rights shall become that number of Rights
(calculated to the nearest one hundred-thousandth) obtained by dividing the
Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to adjustment of the Purchase Price
by the Purchase

                                       16
<PAGE>

       Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

Price in effect immediately after adjustment of the Purchase Price. The Company
shall make a public announcement of its election to adjust the number of Rights,
indicating the record date for the adjustment, and, if known at the time, the
amount of the adjustment to be made. This record date may be the date on which
the Purchase Price is adjusted or any day thereafter, but, if the Right
Certificates have been distributed, shall be at least 10 days later than the
date of the public announcement. If Right Certificates have been distributed,
upon each adjustment of the number of Rights pursuant to this Section 11(i), the
Company shall, as promptly as practicable, cause to be distributed to holders of
record of Right Certificates on such record date Right Certificates evidencing,
subject to Section 14 hereof, the additional Rights to which such holders shall
be entitled as a result of such adjustment, or, at the option of the Company,
shall cause to be distributed to such holders of record in substitution and
replacement for the Right Certificates held by such holders prior to the date of
adjustment, and upon surrender thereof, if required by the Company, new Right
Certificates evidencing all the Rights to which such holders shall be entitled
after such adjustment. Right Certificates to be so distributed shall be issued,
executed and countersigned in the manner provided for herein and shall be
registered in the names of the holders of record of Right Certificates on the
record date specified in the public announcement.

            (j)   Irrespective of any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price
or the number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share issuable upon the
exercise of the Rights, the Right Certificates theretofore and thereafter issued
may continue to express the Purchase Price and the number of one one-thousandths
of a Preferred Share which were expressed in the initial Right Certificates
issued hereunder.

            (k)   Before taking any action that would cause an adjustment
reducing the Purchase Price below one one-thousandth of the then par value of
the Preferred Shares issuable upon exercise of the Rights, the Company shall
take any corporate action which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary
in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and
non-assessable Preferred Shares at such adjusted Purchase Price.

            (l)   In any case in which this Section 11 shall require that an
adjustment in the Purchase Price be made effective as of a record date for a
specified event, the Company may elect to defer until the occurrence of such
event the issuing to the holder of any Right exercised after such record date of
the Preferred Shares and other capital stock or securities of the Company, if
any, issuable upon such exercise over and above the Preferred Shares and other
capital stock or securities of the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise
on the basis of the Purchase Price in effect prior to such adjustment; PROVIDED,
HOWEVEr, that the Company shall deliver to such holder a due bill or other
appropriate instrument evidencing such holder's right to receive such additional
shares upon the occurrence of the event requiring such adjustment.

            (m)   Anything in this Section 11 to the contrary notwithstanding,
the Company shall be entitled to make such reductions in the Purchase Price, in
addition to those adjustments expressly required by this Section 11, as and to
the extent that it in its sole discretion shall determine to be advisable in
order that any (i) combination or subdivision of the Preferred Shares, (ii)
issuance wholly for cash of any Preferred Shares at less than the current market
price, (iii) issuance wholly for cash of Preferred

                                       17
<PAGE>

       Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

Shares or securities which by their terms are convertible into or exchangeable
for Preferred Shares, (iv) dividends on Preferred Shares payable in Preferred
Shares or (v) issuance of any rights, options or warrants referred to
hereinabove in Section 11(b), hereafter made by the Company to holders of its
Preferred Shares shall not be taxable to such stockholders.

            (n)   In the event that the Company shall at any time after the date
of this Agreement (A) declare a dividend on the Common Stock payable in Common
Stock shares, (B) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, (C) combine the
outstanding Common Stock (by reverse stock split or otherwise) into a smaller
number of Common Stock shares, or (D) issue any shares of its capital stock in a
reclassification of the Common Stock (including any such reclassification in
connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing
or surviving corporation), then, in each such event: (1) each share of Common
Stock (or shares of capital stock issued in such reclassification of the Common
Stock) outstanding immediately following such time shall have associated with it
the number of Rights as were associated with one share of Common Stock
immediately prior to the occurrence of the event described in clauses (A)-(D)
above; (2) the Purchase Price in effect at the time of the record date for such
dividend or of the effective date of such subdivision, combination or
reclassification shall be adjusted so that the Purchase Price thereafter shall
equal the result obtained by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect
immediately prior to such time by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be
the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the
event described in clauses (A)-(D) above, and the denominator of which shall be
the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such
event; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in no event shall the consideration to be paid
upon the exercise of one Right be less than the aggregate par value of the
shares of capital stock of the Company issuable upon exercise of such Right; and
(3) the number of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share (or shares of such
other capital stock) issuable upon the exercise of each Right outstanding after
such event shall equal the number of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share (or
shares of such other capital stock) as were issuable with respect to one Right
immediately prior to such event. Each share of Common Stock that shall become
outstanding after an adjustment has been made pursuant to this Section 11(n)
shall have associated with it the number of Rights, exercisable at the Purchase
Price and for the number of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share (or shares
of such other capital stock) as one share of Common Stock has associated with it
immediately following the adjustment made pursuant to this Section 11(n). If an
event occurs which would require an adjustment under both this Section 11(n) and
Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, the adjustment provided for in this Section 11(n)
shall be in addition to, and shall be made prior to, any adjustment required
pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof.

         Section 12. CERTIFICATE OF ADJUSTMENT.

            Whenever an adjustment is made as provided in Section 11 or 13
hereof, the Company shall promptly (a) prepare a certificate setting forth such
adjustment, and a brief statement of the facts accounting for such adjustment,
(b) file with the Rights Agent and with each transfer agent for the Common Stock
or the Preferred Shares a copy of such certificate and (c) mail a brief summary
thereof to each holder of a Right

                                       18
<PAGE>

       Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

Certificate in accordance with Section 24 hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing
sentence, the failure by the Company to make such certification or give such
notice shall not affect the validity of or the force or effect of the
requirement for such adjustment. The Rights Agent shall be fully protected in
relying on any such certificate and on any adjustment therein contained.

         Section 13. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR SALE OR TRANSFER OF ASSETS OR
      EARNING POWER.

            In the event that, at any time after a Person becomes an Acquiring
Person, directly or indirectly, (i) the Company shall consolidate with, or merge
with and into, any other Person, (ii) any Person shall consolidate with the
Company, or merge with and into the Company and the Company shall be the
continuing or surviving corporation of such merger and, in connection with such
merger, all or part of the shares of Common Stock shall be changed into or
exchanged for stock or other securities of any other Person (or the Company) or
cash or any other property, or (iii) the Company shall sell or otherwise
transfer (or one or more of its Subsidiaries shall sell or otherwise transfer),
in one or more transactions, assets or earning power aggregating 50% or more of
the assets or earning power of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a
whole) to any other Person other than the Company or one or more of its
wholly-owned Subsidiaries, then, and in each such case, proper provision shall
be made so that (A) each holder of a Right (except as otherwise provided herein)
shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at a price
equal to the then current Purchase Price multiplied by the number of one
one-thousandths of a Preferred Share for which a Right is then exercisable, in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement and in lieu of Preferred Shares,
such number of shares of Common Stock of such other Person (including the
Company as successor thereto or as the surviving corporation) as shall equal the
result obtained by (x) multiplying the then current Purchase Price by the number
of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share for which a Right is then
exercisable and dividing that product by (y) 50% of the then current per share
market price of the Common Stock of such other Person (determined pursuant to
Section 11(d) hereof) on the date of consummation of such consolidation, merger,
sale or transfer; (B) the issuer of such Common Stock shall thereafter be liable
for, and shall assume, by virtue of such consolidation, merger, sale or
transfer, all the obligations and duties of the Company pursuant to this
Agreement; (C) the term "Company" shall thereafter be deemed to refer to such
issuer; and (D) such issuer shall take such steps (including, but not limited
to, the reservation of a sufficient number of its shares of Common Stock in
accordance with Section 9 hereof) in connection with such consummation as may be
necessary to assure that the provisions hereof shall thereafter be applicable,
as nearly as reasonably may be, in relation to the Common Stock thereafter
deliverable upon the exercise of the Rights. The Company covenants and agrees
that it shall not consummate any such consolidation merger, sale or transfer
unless prior thereto the Company and such issuer shall have executed and
delivered to the Rights Agent a supplemental agreement so providing. The Company
shall not enter into any transaction of the kind referred to in this Section 13
if at the time of such transaction there are any rights, warrants, instruments
or securities outstanding or any agreements or arrangements which, as a result
of the consummation of such transaction, would

                                       19
<PAGE>

       Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

eliminate or substantially diminish the benefits intended to be afforded by the
Rights. The provisions of this Section 13 shall similarly apply to successive
mergers or consolidations or sales or other transfers. For purposes hereof, the
"earning power" of the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be determined in good
faith by the Company's Board of Directors on the basis of the operating earnings
of each business operated by the Company and its Subsidiaries during the three
fiscal years preceding the date of such determination (or, in the case of any
business not operated by the Company or any Subsidiary during three full fiscal
years preceding such date, during the period such business was operated by the
Company or any Subsidiary).

         Section 14. FRACTIONAL RIGHTS AND FRACTIONAL SHARES.

            (a)   The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Rights
or to distribute Right Certificates which evidence fractional Rights. In lieu of
such fractional Rights, there shall be paid to the registered holders of the
Right Certificates with regard to which such fractional Rights would otherwise
be issuable, an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market
value of a whole Right. For the purposes of this Section 14(a), the current
market value of a whole Right shall be the closing price of the Rights for the
Trading Day immediately prior to the date on which such fractional Rights would
have been otherwise issuable. The closing price for such Trading Day shall be
determined in accordance with the method set forth in Section 11(d)(i).

            (b)   The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of
Preferred Shares (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one
one-thousandth of a Preferred Share) upon exercise of the Rights or to
distribute certificates which evidence fractional Preferred Shares (other than
fractions which are integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a Preferred
Share). Fractions of Preferred Shares in integral multiples of one
one-thousandth of a Preferred Share may, at the election of the Company, be
evidenced by depository receipts, pursuant to an appropriate agreement between
the Company and a depository selected by it; provided, that such agreement shall
provide that the holders of such depository receipts shall have all the rights,
privileges and preferences to which they are entitled as beneficial owners of
the Preferred Shares represented by such depository receipts. In lieu of
fractional Preferred Shares that are not integral multiples of one
one-thousandth of a Preferred Share, the Company shall pay to each registered
holder of Right Certificates at the time such Rights are exercised as herein
provided an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market
value of one Preferred Share as the fraction of one Preferred Share that such
holder would otherwise receive upon the exercise of the aggregate number of
rights exercised by such holder. For the purposes of this Section 14(b), the
current market value of a Preferred Share shall be the closing price of a
Preferred Share (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) for the Trading
Day immediately prior to the date of such exercise.

            (c)   The holder of a Right by the acceptance of the Right expressly
waives any right to receive fractional Rights or fractional shares upon exercise
of a Right (except as provided above).

                                       20
<PAGE>

       Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

         Section 15. RIGHTS OF ACTION.

            All rights of action in respect of this Agreement, excepting the
rights of action given to the Rights Agent under Section 18 hereof, are vested
in the respective registered holders of the Right Certificates (and, prior to
the Distribution Date, the registered holders of the Common Stock); and any
registered holder of any Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date,
of the Common Stock) may, without the consent of the Rights Agent or of the
holder of any other Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of
the Common Stock), on his own behalf and for his own benefit, enforce, and may
institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against the Company to
enforce, or otherwise act in respect of, his right to exercise the Rights
evidenced by such Right Certificate in the manner provided in such Right
Certificate and in this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing or any
remedies available to the holders of Rights, it is specifically acknowledged
that the holders of Rights would not have an adequate remedy at law for any
breach of this Agreement and will be entitled to specific performance of the
obligations under, and injunctive relief against actual or threatened violations
of the obligations of any Person subject to, this Agreement.

          Section 16. AGREEMENT OF RIGHT HOLDERS.

            Every holder of a Right, by accepting the same, consents and agrees
with the Company and the Rights Agent and with every other holder of a Right
that:

            (a)   prior to the Distribution Date, the Rights will be
transferable only in connection with the transfer of the Common Stock;

            (b)   after the Distribution Date, the Right Certificates are
transferable only on the registry books maintained by the Rights Agent if
surrendered at the principal office of the Rights Agent, duly endorsed or
accompanied by a proper instrument of transfer with a completed form of
certification; and

            (c)   the Company and the Rights Agent may deem and treat the person
in whose name the Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, the
associated Common Stock certificate) is registered as the absolute owner thereof
and of the Rights evidenced thereby (notwithstanding any notations of ownership
or writing on the Right Certificates or the associated Common Stock certificate
made by anyone other than the Company or the Rights Agent) for all purposes
whatsoever, and neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall be affected by
any notice to the contrary.

         Section 17. RIGHT CERTIFICATE HOLDER NOT DEEMED A SHAREHOLDER.

            No holder, as such, of any Right Certificate shall be entitled to
vote, receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the Preferred
Shares or any other securities of the Company which may at any time be issuable
on the exercise of the Rights represented thereby nor shall anything contained
herein or in any Right Certificate be construed to confer upon the holder of any
Right Certificate, as such, any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company or
any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to
shareholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any
corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting
shareholders (except as provided in Section 24

                                       21
<PAGE>

       Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

hereof), or to receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the
Right or Rights evidenced by such Right Certificate shall have been exercised in
accordance with the provisions hereof.

         Section 18. CONCERNING THE RIGHTS AGENT.

            (a)   The Company agrees to pay to the Rights Agent reasonable
compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder and, from time to time,
on demand of the Rights Agent, its reasonable expenses and counsel fees and
other disbursements incurred in the administration and execution of this
Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder. The Company
also agrees to indemnify the Rights Agent for, and to hold it harmless against,
any loss, liability, or expense, incurred without negligence, bad faith or
willful misconduct on the part of the Rights Agent, for anything done or omitted
by the Rights Agent in connection with the acceptance and administration of this
Agreement, including the costs and expenses of defending against any claim or
liability in connection therewith.

            (b)   The Rights Agent shall be protected and shall incur no
liability for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in
connection with its administration of this Agreement in reliance upon any Right
Certificate or certificate for Preferred Shares or for other securities of the
Company, instrument of assignment or transfer, power of attorney, endorsement,
affidavit, letter, notice, direction, consent, certificate, statement, or other
paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to be signed, executed and,
where necessary, verified or acknowledged, by the proper Person or Persons.

         Section 19. MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION OR CHANGE OF NAME OF RIGHTS AGENT.

            (a)   Any corporation into which the Rights Agent or any successor
Rights Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any
corporation resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Rights Agent
or any successor Rights Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to
the corporate trust business of the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent,
shall be the successor to the Rights Agent under this Agreement without the
execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the
parties hereto, provided that such corporation would be eligible for appointment
as a successor Rights Agent under the provisions of Section 21 hereof. In case
at the time such successor Rights Agent shall succeed to the agency created by
this Agreement, any of the Right Certificates shall have been countersigned but
not delivered, any such successor Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature of
the predecessor Rights Agent and deliver such Right Certificates so
countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Right Certificates shall not
have been countersigned, any successor Rights Agent may countersign such Right
Certificates either in the name of the predecessor Rights Agent or in the name
of the successor Rights Agent; and in all such cases such Right Certificates
shall have the full force provided in the Right Certificates and in this
Agreement.

            (b)   In case at any time the name of the Rights Agent shall be
changed and at such time any of the Right Certificates shall have been
countersigned but not delivered, the Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature
under its prior name and

                                       22
<PAGE>

       Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

deliver Right Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of the
Right Certificates shall not have been countersigned, the Rights Agent may
countersign such Right Certificates either in its prior name or in its changed
name; and in all such cases such Right Certificates shall have the full force
provided in the Right Certificates and in this Agreement.

         Section 20. DUTIES OF RIGHTS AGENT.

            The Rights Agent undertakes the duties and obligations expressly set
forth in this Agreement and no implied duties or obligations shall be read into
this Agreement against the Rights Agent. The Rights Agent shall perform those
duties and obligations upon the following terms and conditions, by all of which
the Company and the holders of Right Certificates, by their acceptance thereof,
shall be bound:

            (a)   The Rights Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be
legal counsel for the Company), and the opinion of such counsel shall be full
and complete authorization and protection to the Rights Agent as to any action
taken or omitted by it in good faith and in accordance with such opinion.

            (b)   Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement
the Rights Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter be
proved or established by the Company prior to taking or suffering any action
hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be
herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and
established by a certificate signed by any one of the Chairman of the Board, the
President, a Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company and
delivered to the Rights Agent; and such certificate shall be full authorization
to the Rights Agent for any action taken or suffered in good faith by it under
the provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such certificate.

            (c)   The Rights Agent shall be liable hereunder only for its own
negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.

            (d)   The Rights Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any
of the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement or in the
Right Certificates (except as to its countersignature thereof) or be required to
verify the same, but all such statements and recitals are and shall be deemed to
have been made by the Company only.

            (e)   The Rights Agent shall not be under any responsibility in
respect of the validity of this Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof
(except the due execution hereof by the Rights Agent) or in respect of the
validity or execution of any Right Certificate (except its countersignature
thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any
covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Right Certificate;
nor shall it be responsible for any adjustment required under the provisions of
Section 11 or 13 hereof or responsible for the manner, method or amount of any
such adjustment or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require
any such adjustment (except with respect to the exercise of Rights evidenced by
Right Certificates after actual notice of any such adjustment); nor shall it by
any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the
authorization or reservation of any shares of Preferred Shares to be issued
pursuant to

                                       23
<PAGE>

       Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

this Agreement or any Right Certificate or as to whether any Preferred Shares
will, when so issued, be validly authorized and issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.

            (f)   The Company agrees that it will perform, execute, acknowledge
and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all
such further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be
required by the Rights Agent for the carrying out or performing by the Rights
Agent of the provisions of this Agreement.

            (g)   The Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to accept
instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from any
one of the Chairman of the Board, the President, a Vice President, the Secretary
or the Treasurer of the Company, and to apply to such officers for advice or
instructions in connection with its duties, and it shall not be liable for any
action taken or suffered to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with
instructions of any such officer.

            (h)   The Rights Agent and any shareholder, director, officer or
employee of the Rights Agent may buy, sell or deal in any of the Rights or other
securities of the Company or become pecuniarily interested in any transaction in
which the Company may be interested, or contract with or lend money to the
Company or otherwise act as fully and freely as though it were not Rights Agent
under this Agreement. Nothing herein shall preclude the Rights Agent from acting
in any other capacity for the Company or for any other legal entity.

            (i)   The Rights Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or
powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself or by or
through its attorneys or agents, and the Rights Agent shall not be answerable or
accountable for any act, default, neglect or misconduct of any such attorneys or
agents or for any loss to the Company resulting from any such act, default,
neglect or misconduct, provided reasonable care was exercised in the selection
and continued employment thereof.

         Section 21. CHANGE OF RIGHTS AGENT.

            The Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may resign and be
discharged from its duties under this Agreement upon 30 days' notice in writing
mailed to the Company and to each transfer agent of the Common Stock and the
Preferred Shares by registered or certified mail, and to the holders of the
Right Certificates by first-class mail. The Company may remove the Rights Agent
or any successor Rights Agent upon 30 days' notice in writing, mailed to the
Rights Agent or successor Rights Agent, as the case may be, and to each transfer
agent of the Common Stock and the Preferred Shares by registered or certified
mail, and to the holders of the Right Certificates by first-class mail. If the
Rights Agent shall resign or be removed or shall otherwise become incapable of
acting, the Company shall appoint a successor to the Rights Agent. If the
Company shall fail to make such appointment within a period of 30 days after
giving notice of such removal or after it has been notified in writing of such
resignation or incapacity by the resigning or incapacitated Rights Agent or by
the holder of a Right Certificate (who shall, with such notice, submit his Right
Certificate for inspection by the Company), then the registered holder of any
Right Certificate may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the
appointment of a

                                       24
<PAGE>

       Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

new Rights Agent. Any successor Rights Agent, whether appointed by the Company
or by such a court, shall be a corporation organized and doing business under
the laws of the United States or of any state of the United States, in good
standing, which is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust or
stockholder services powers and is subject to supervision or examination by
federal or state authority and which has at the time of its appointment as
Rights Agent a combined capital and surplus of at least $100 million. After
appointment, the successor Rights Agent shall be vested with the same powers,
rights, duties and responsibilities as if it had been originally named as Rights
Agent without further act or deed; but the predecessor Rights Agent shall
deliver and transfer to the successor Rights Agent any property at the time held
by it hereunder, and execute and deliver any further assurance, conveyance, act
or deed necessary for the purpose. Not later than the effective date of any such
appointment the Company shall file notice thereof in writing with the
predecessor Rights Agent and each transfer agent of the Common Stock and the
Preferred Shares, and mail a notice thereof in writing to the registered holders
of the Right Certificates. Failure to give any notice provided for in this
Section 21, however, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or
validity of the resignation or removal of the Rights Agent or the appointment of
the successor Rights Agent, as the case may be.

         Section 22. ISSUANCE OF NEW RIGHT CERTIFICATES.

            Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Agreement or of the
Rights to the contrary, the Company may, at its option, issue new Right
Certificates evidencing Rights in such form as may be approved by its Board of
Directors to reflect any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price and the
number or kind or class of shares or other securities or property purchasable
under the Rights made in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. In
addition, in connection with the issuance or sale of shares of Common Stock
following the Distribution Date and prior to the Final Expiration Date, the
Company (a) shall, with respect to shares of Common Stock so issued or sold
pursuant to the exercise of stock options or under any employee benefit plan or
arrangement or upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of securities of the
Company currently outstanding or issued at any time in the future by the Company
and (b) may, in any other case, if deemed necessary or appropriate by the Board
of Directors of the Company, issue Rights Certificates representing the
appropriate number of Rights in connection with such issuance or sale; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that (i) no such Rights Certificate shall be issued and this sentence
shall be null and void ab initio if, and to the extent that, such issuance or
this sentence would create a significant risk of or result in material adverse
tax consequences to the Company or the Person to whom such Rights Certificate
would be issued or would create a significant risk of or result in such options'
or employee plans' or arrangements' failing to qualify for otherwise available
special tax treatment and (ii) no such Rights Certificate shall be issued if,
and to the extent that, appropriate adjustment shall otherwise have been made in
lieu of the issuance thereof.

         Section 23. REDEMPTION.

            (a)   The Board of Directors of the Company may, at its option, at
any time prior to the earlier of (i) the Close of Business on the tenth calendar
date following the

                                       25
<PAGE>

       Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

Shares Acquisition Date, or (ii) the Final Expiration Date, redeem all but not
less than all of the then outstanding Rights at a redemption price of $0.001 per
Right, appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or
similar transaction occurring after the date hereof (such redemption price being
hereinafter referred to as the "Redemption Price"). The redemption of the Rights
by the Board of Directors may be made effective at such time, on such basis and
subject to such conditions as the Board of Directors in its sole discretion may
establish.

            (b)   Immediately upon the time of the effectiveness of the
redemption of the Rights pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 23 or such
earlier time as may be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in
the action ordering such redemption (although not earlier than the time of such
action) (such time the "Redemption Date"), and without any further action and
without any notice, the right to exercise the Rights shall terminate and the
only right thereafter of the holders of Rights shall be to receive the
Redemption Price. The Company shall promptly give public notice of any such
redemption; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the failure to give, or any defect in, any
such notice shall not affect the validity of such redemption. Within 10 days
after such action of the Board of Directors ordering the redemption of the
Rights pursuant to paragraph (a), the Company shall mail a notice of redemption
to all the holders of the then outstanding Rights at their last addresses as
they appear upon the registry books of the Rights Agent or, prior to the
Distribution Date, on the registry books of the transfer agent for the Common
Stock. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed
given, whether or not the holder receives the notice. If the payment of the
Redemption Price is not included with such notice, each such notice shall state
the method by which the payment of the Redemption Price will be made. Neither
the Company nor any of its Affiliates or Associates may redeem, acquire or
purchase for value any Rights at any time in any manner other than that
specifically set forth in this Section 23, other than in connection with the
purchase of Common Stock.

         Section 24. NOTICE OF CERTAIN EVENTS.

            (a)   In case the Company shall after the Distribution Date propose
(i) to pay any dividend payable in stock of any class to the holders of its
Preferred Shares or to make any other distribution to the holders of its
Preferred Shares (other than a regular quarterly cash dividend), (ii) to offer
to the holders of its Preferred Shares rights or warrants to subscribe for or to
purchase any additional Preferred Shares or shares of stock of any class or any
other securities, rights or options, (iii) to effect any reclassification of its
Preferred Shares (other than a reclassification involving only the subdivision
of outstanding Preferred Shares), (iv) to effect any consolidation or merger
into or with, or to effect any sale or other transfer (or to permit one or more
of its Subsidiaries to effect any sale or other transfer), in one or more
transactions, of 50% or more of the assets or earning power of the Company and
its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to, any other Person, (v) to effect the
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, or (vi) to declare or pay
any dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock or to effect
a subdivision, combination or consolidation of the Common Stock (by
reclassification or otherwise than by payment of dividends in shares of Common
Stock), then, in each such case, the Company shall give to each holder of a
Right Certificate, in accordance with Section 25 hereof, a notice of such

                                       26
<PAGE>

       Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

proposed action, which shall specify the record date for the purposes of such
stock dividend, or distribution of rights or warrants, or the date on which such
reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, liquidation,
dissolution, or winding up is to take place and the date of participation
therein by the holders of the Common Stock and/or Preferred Shares, if any such
date is to be fixed, and such notice shall be so given in the case of any action
covered by clause (i) or (ii) above at least 10 days prior to the record date
for determining holders of the Preferred Shares for purposes of such action, and
in the case of any such other action, at least 10 days prior to the date of the
taking of such proposed action or the date of participation therein by the
holders of the Common Stock and/or Preferred Shares, whichever shall be the
earlier.

            (b)   In case any event set forth in Section 11(a)(ii) hereof shall
occur, then the Company shall as soon as practicable thereafter give to each
holder of a Right Certificate, in accordance with Section 25 hereof, a notice of
the occurrence of such event, which notice shall describe such event and the
consequences of such event to holders of Rights under Section 11(a)(ii) hereof.

         Section 25. NOTICES.

            (a)   Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or
made by the Rights Agent or by the holder of any Right Certificate to or on the
Company shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage
prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with the Rights
Agent) as follows:

            Nutrition 21, Inc.
            4 Manhattanville Road
            Purchase, New York 10577
            Attention: Secretary

            Copy to:

            Ehrenreich Eilenberg & Krause LLP
            11 East 44th Street
            New York, New York 10017
            Attention: Joseph Ehrenreich, Esq.

            Subject to the provisions of Section 21 hereof, any notice or demand
authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Company or by the holder
of any Right Certificate to or on the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given
or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another
address is filed in writing with the Company) as follows:

            American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
            6201 15th Avenue
            3rd Floor
            Brooklyn, NY 11219
            Attention: Legal Department

            Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made
by the Company or the Rights Agent to the holder of any Right Certificate shall
be

                                       27
<PAGE>

       Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid,
addressed to such holder at the address of such holder as shown on the registry
books of the Company.

         Section 26. SUPPLEMENTS AND AMENDMENTS.

            The Company may from time to time, and the Rights Agent shall, if
the Company so directs, supplement or amend this Agreement without the approval
of any holders of Right Certificates in order to cure any ambiguity, to correct
or supplement any provision contained herein which may be defective or
inconsistent with any other provisions herein, or to make any change to or
delete any provision hereof or to adopt any other provisions with respect to the
Rights which the Company may deem necessary or desirable; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that from and after such time as any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, this
Agreement shall not be amended or supplemented in any manner which would
adversely affect the interests of the holders of Rights (other than an Acquiring
Person and its Affiliates and Associates). Any supplement or amendment
authorized by this Section 26 will be evidenced by a writing signed by the
Company and the Rights Agent.

         Section 27. SUCCESSORS.

            All the covenants and provisions of this Agreement by or for the
benefit of the Company or the Rights Agent shall bind and inure to the benefit
of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.

         Section 28. BENEFITS OF THIS AGREEMENT.

            Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to give to any person
or entity other than the Company, the Rights Agent and the registered holders of
the Right Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the Common Stock)
any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement; but this
Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company, the Rights
Agent and the registered holders of the Right Certificates (and, prior to the
Distribution Date, the Common Stock).

         Section 29. SEVERABILITY.

            If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is
held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void
or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and
restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall
in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated.

         Section 30. GOVERNING LAW.

            This Agreement and each Right Certificate issued hereunder shall be
deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the State of New York and for all
purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of such
State applicable to contracts to be made and performed entirely within such
State.

                                       28
<PAGE>

       Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

         Section 31. COUNTERPARTS.

            This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and
each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original,
and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same
instrument.

         Section 32. DESCRIPTIVE HEADINGS.

            Descriptive headings of the several Sections of this Agreement are
inserted for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or
construction of any of the provisions hereof.

         Section 33. ADMINISTRATION.

            The Board of Directors of the Company shall have the exclusive power
and authority to administer and interpret the provisions of this Agreement and
to exercise all rights and powers specifically granted to the Board of Directors
or the Company or as may be necessary or advisable in the administration of this
Agreement. All such actions, calculations, determinations and interpretations
which are done or made by the Board of Directors in good faith shall be final,
conclusive and binding on the Company, the Rights Agent, the holders of the
Rights and all other parties and shall not subject the Board of Directors to any
liability to the holders of the Rights.

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Rights
Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

Nutrition 21, Inc.

By:_____________________

Name:

Title:

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company

By:_____________________

Name:

Title:

                                       29
<PAGE>

     Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
                     TO THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF
                               NUTRITION 21, INC.
                Under Section 805 of the Business Corporation Law

          The undersigned, being the President of Nutrition 21, Inc., does
hereby certify:

          A.   The name of the Corporation is Nutrition 21, Inc. The Corporation
was originally formed under the name Applied Micro Biology, Inc.

          B.   The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed by
the Department of State on June 29, 1983 under the name Applied Micro Biology,
Inc.

          C.   The Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (the
"Certificate of Incorporation") was filed by the Department of State on January
17, 1984.

          D.   The Certificate of Incorporation as now in full force and effect
is hereby amended by the addition of a provision setting forth the number,
designation, relative rights, preferences and limitations of a series of
Preferred Stock, having a par value of $0.01 per share, as fixed by the Board of
Directors before the issuance of such series pursuant to the authority contained
in Article Fourth of the Certificate of Incorporation, and in accordance with
the provisions of Section 502 of the Business Corporation Law of the State of
New York.

1.   DESIGNATION AND AMOUNT. There is hereby created a series of the Preferred
     Stock of the Corporation. The shares of this series shall be designated as
     "Series H Participating Preferred Stock" (the "Series H Preferred Stock").
     The number of shares constituting the Series H Preferred Stock shall be One
     Hundred Thousand (100,000). Such number of shares may be increased or
     decreased by resolution of the Board of Directors; provided, that no
     decrease shall reduce the number of shares of Series H Preferred Stock to a
     number less than the number of shares then outstanding plus the number of
     shares reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding options,
     rights or warrants or upon the conversion of any outstanding securities
     issued by the Corporation convertible into Series H Preferred Stock.

2.   PROPORTIONAL ADJUSTMENT. In the event that the Corporation shall at any
     time after the issuance of any share or shares of Series H Preferred Stock
     (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock of the Corporation ("Common
     Stock") payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding
     Common Stock or (iii) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller
     number of shares, then in each such case the Corporation shall
     simultaneously effect a proportional adjustment to the number of
     outstanding shares of Series H Preferred Stock.

3.   DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS.

     3.1. Subject to the rights of the holders of any shares of any series of
          Preferred Stock (or any other stock) ranking prior and superior to the
          Series H Preferred Stock with respect to dividends, the holders of
          shares of Series H Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, when,
          as and if declared by the Board of Directors out of

                                      A-1
<PAGE>

     Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

          funds legally available for the purpose, quarterly dividends payable
          in cash on the last day of March, June, September and December in each
          year (each such date being referred to herein as a "Quarterly Dividend
          Payment Date"), commencing on the first Quarterly Dividend Payment
          Date after the first issuance of a share or fraction of a share of
          Series H Preferred Stock, in an amount (if any) per share (rounded to
          the nearest cent), equal to 1,000 times the aggregate per share amount
          of all cash dividends, and 1,000 times the aggregate per share amount
          (payable in kind) of all non-cash dividends or other distributions,
          other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock or a
          subdivision of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by
          reclassification or otherwise), declared on the Common Stock since the
          immediately preceding Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or, with respect
          to the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, since the first issuance
          of any share or fraction of a share of Series H Preferred Stock.

     3.2. The Corporation shall declare a dividend or distribution on the Series
          H Preferred Stock as provided in subsection 3.1 above immediately
          after it declares a dividend or distribution on the Common Stock
          (other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock).

     3.3. Dividends due pursuant to subsection 3.1 shall begin to accrue on
          outstanding shares of Series H Preferred Stock from the Quarterly
          Dividend Payment Date next preceding the date of issue of such shares
          of Series H Preferred Stock, unless the date of issue of such shares
          is prior to the record date for the first Quarterly Dividend Payment
          Date, in which case dividends on such shares shall begin to accrue
          from the date of the first issuance of any share or fraction of a
          share of Series H Preferred, or unless the date of issue is a
          Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or is a date after the record date for
          the determination of holders of shares of Series H Preferred Stock
          entitled to receive a quarterly dividend and before such Quarterly
          Dividend Payment Date, in either of which events such dividends shall
          begin to accrue from such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date. Accrued but
          unpaid dividends shall not bear interest. Dividends paid on the shares
          of Series H Preferred Stock in an amount less than the total amount of
          such dividends at the time accrued and payable on such shares shall be
          allocated pro rata on a share-by-share basis among all such shares at
          the time outstanding. The Board of Directors may fix a record date for
          the determination of holders of shares of Series H Preferred Stock
          entitled to receive payment of a dividend or distribution declared
          thereon, which record date shall be no more than 30 days prior to the
          date fixed for the payment thereof.

4.   VOTING RIGHTS. The holders of shares of Series H Preferred Stock shall have
     the following voting rights:

     4.1. Each share of Series H Preferred Stock shall entitle the holder
          thereof to 1,000 votes on all matters submitted to a vote of the
          stockholders of the Corporation.

     4.2. Except as otherwise provided herein or by law, the holders of shares
          of Series H Preferred Stock and the holders of shares of Common Stock
          shall vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote of
          stockholders of the Corporation.

                                      A-2
<PAGE>

     Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

     4.3. Except as required by law, the holders of Series H Preferred Stock
          shall have no special voting rights and their consent shall not be
          required (except to the extent that they are entitled to vote with
          holders of Common Stock as set forth herein) for taking any corporate
          action.

5.   CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS.

     5.1. The Corporation shall not declare any dividend on, make any
          distribution on, or redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for
          consideration any shares of Common Stock after the first issuance of a
          share or fraction of a share of Series H Preferred Stock unless
          concurrently therewith it shall declare a dividend on the Series H
          Preferred Stock as required by Section 3 hereof.

     5.2. Whenever quarterly dividends or other dividends or distributions
          payable on the Series H Preferred Stock as provided in Section 3 are
          in arrears, thereafter and until all accrued and unpaid dividends and
          distributions, whether or not declared, on shares of Series H
          Preferred Stock outstanding shall have been paid in full, the
          Corporation shall not:

               (i)  declare or pay dividends on, make any other distributions
          on, or redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any
          shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon
          liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series H Preferred
          Stock;

               (ii) declare or pay dividends on, or make any other distributions
          on any shares of stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or
          upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series H
          Preferred Stock, except dividends paid ratably on the Series H
          Preferred Stock and all such parity stock on which dividends are
          payable or in arrears in proportion to the total amounts to which the
          holders of all such shares are then entitled;

               (iii) redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration
          shares of any stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon
          liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series H Preferred
          Stock;

               (iv) purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares
          of Series H Preferred Stock, or any shares of stock ranking on a
          parity with the Series H Preferred Stock, except in accordance with a
          purchase offer made in writing or by publication (as determined by the
          Board of Directors) to all holders of such shares upon such terms as
          the Board of Directors, after consideration of the respective annual
          dividend rates and other relative rights and preferences of the
          respective series and classes, shall determine in good faith will
          result in fair and equitable treatment among the respective series or
          classes.

     5.3. The Corporation shall not permit any subsidiary of the Corporation to
          purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock of
          the Corporation unless the Corporation could, under subsection 5.2,
          purchase or otherwise acquire such shares at such time and in such
          manner.

6.   REACQUIRED SHARES. Any shares of Series H Preferred Stock purchased or
     otherwise acquired by the Corporation in any manner whatsoever shall be
     retired and canceled

                                      A-3
<PAGE>

     Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

     promptly after the acquisition thereof. All such shares shall upon their
     cancellation become authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock and
     may be reissued as part of a new series of Preferred Stock to be created by
     resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors, subject to the
     conditions and restrictions on issuance set forth herein and in the
     Certificate of Incorporation, as then amended.

7.   LIQUIDATION, DISSOLUTION OR WINDING UP. Upon any liquidation, dissolution
     or winding up of the Corporation, the holders of shares of Series H
     Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive an aggregate amount per share
     equal to 1,000 times the aggregate amount to be distributed per share to
     holders of shares of Common Stock plus an amount equal to any accrued and
     unpaid dividends on such shares of Series Preferred Stock.

8.   CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, ETC. In case the Corporation shall enter into any
     consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which the shares
     of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into other stock or
     securities, cash and/or any other property, then in any such case the
     shares of Series H Preferred Stock shall at the same time be similarly
     exchanged or changed in an amount per share equal to 1,000 times the
     aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash and/or any other property
     (payable in kind), as the case may be, into which or for which each share
     of Common Stock is changed or exchanged.

9.   NO REDEMPTION. The shares of Series H Preferred Stock shall not be
     redeemable.

10.  RANKING. The Series H Preferred Stock shall rank junior to all other series
     of the Corporation's Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and the
     distribution of assets, unless the terms of any such series shall provide
     otherwise.

11.  AMENDMENT. The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation shall not be
     further amended in any manner which would materially alter or change the
     powers, preference or special rights of the Series H Preferred Stock so as
     to affect them adversely without the affirmative vote of the holders of a
     majority of the outstanding shares of Series H Preferred Stock, voting
     separately as a series.

12.  FRACTIONAL SHARES. Series H Preferred Stock may be issued in fractions of a
     share which shall entitle the holder, in proportion to such holder's
     fractional shares, to exercise voting rights, receive dividends,
     participate in distributions and to have the benefit of all other rights of
     holders of Series H Preferred Stock.

          E.   The foregoing amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation was
authorized by vote of the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

                                      A-4
<PAGE>

     Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have signed and verified this Certificate on
September 12, 2002, and affirm under the penalties of perjury that the
statements contained herein are true.

                  NUTRITION 21, INC.

                  By:_____________________

                  Gail Montgomery, President and Chief Executive Officer

                                      A-5
<PAGE>

     Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

                                                                       EXHIBIT B

Form of Right Certificate
Certificate No. R- _______ Rights

          NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER SEPTEMBER 11, 2012 OR EARLIER IF REDEMPTION
OCCURS. THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION AT $0.001 PER RIGHT ON THE TERMS
SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, RIGHTS THAT ARE
OR WERE ACQUIRED OR BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY AN ACQUIRING PERSON OR ANY ASSOCIATES
OR AFFILIATES THEREOF (AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) OR ANY
SUBSEQUENT HOLDER OF SUCH RIGHTS MAY BECOME NULL AND VOID.

                               Right Certificate
                               Nutrition 21, Inc.

          This certifies that _______________________, or registered assigns, is
the registered owner of the number of Rights set forth above, each of which
entitles the owner thereof, subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of
the Rights Agreement, dated as of September 12, 2002 (the "Rights Agreement"),
between Nutrition 21, Inc., a New York corporation (the "Company"), and American
Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the "Rights Agent"), to purchase from the
Company at any time after the Distribution Date (as such term is defined in the
Rights Agreement) and prior to 5:00 P.M., New York time, on September 11, 20012,
at the principal office of the Rights Agent, or at the office of its successor
as Rights Agent, one one-thousandth of a fully paid non-assessable share of
Series H Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the
"Preferred Shares"), of the Company, at a purchase price of $3.00 per one
one-thousandth of a Preferred Share (the "Purchase Price"), upon presentation
and surrender of this Right Certificate with the certification and the Form of
Election to Purchase duly executed. The number of Rights evidenced by this Right
Certificate (and the number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share which
may be purchased upon exercise hereof) set forth above, and the Purchase Price
set forth above, are the number and Purchase Price as of September 12, 2002,
based on the Preferred Shares as constituted at such date. As provided in the
Rights Agreement, the Purchase Price and the number of one one-thousandths of a
Preferred Share which may be purchased upon the exercise of the Rights evidenced
by this Right Certificate are subject to modification and adjustment upon the
happening of certain events.

          From and after the occurrence of an event described in Section
11(a)(ii) of the Rights Agreement, if the Rights evidenced by this Right
Certificate are or were at any time on or after the earlier of (x) the date of
such event and (y) the Distribution Date (as such term is defined in the Rights
Agreement) beneficially owned or acquired by an Acquiring Person or an Associate
or Affiliate of an Acquiring

                                      B-1
<PAGE>

     Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

Person (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement), such Rights shall
become void, and any holder of such Rights shall thereafter have no right to
exercise such Rights.

          This Right Certificate is subject to all of the terms, provisions and
conditions of the Rights Agreement, which terms, provisions and conditions are
hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof and to which
Rights Agreement reference is hereby made for a full description of the rights,
limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities hereunder of the
Rights Agent, the Company and the holders of the Right Certificates. Copies of
the Rights Agreement are on file at the principal executive offices of the
Company and the offices of the Rights Agent. This Right Certificate, with or
without other Right Certificates, upon surrender at the principal office of the
Rights Agent, may be exchanged for another Right Certificate or Right
Certificates of like tenor and date evidencing Rights entitling the holder to
purchase a like aggregate number of Preferred Shares as the Rights evidenced by
the Right Certificate or Right Certificates surrendered shall have entitled such
holder to purchase. If this Right Certificate shall be exercised in part, the
holder shall be entitled to receive upon surrender hereof another Right
Certificate or Right Certificates for the number of whole Rights not exercised.

          Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, at the Company's
option, the Rights evidenced by this Certificate may be redeemed by the Company
at a redemption price of $0.001 per Right.

          No fractional Preferred Shares will be issued upon the exercise of any
Right or Rights evidenced hereby (other than fractions which are integral
multiples of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share, which may, at the election
of the Company, be evidenced by depository receipts), but in lieu thereof a cash
payment will be made, as provided in the Rights Agreement.

          No holder of this Right Certificate shall be entitled to vote or
receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the Preferred
Shares or of any other securities of the Company which may at any time be
issuable on the exercise hereof, nor shall anything contained in the Rights
Agreement or herein be construed to confer upon the holder hereof, as such, any
of the rights of a shareholder of the Company or any right to vote for the
election of directors or upon any matter submitted to shareholders at any
meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or to
receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting shareholders (except as
provided in the Rights Agreement), or to receive dividends or subscription
rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by this Right
Certificate shall have been exercised as provided in the Rights Agreement.

          This Right Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any
purpose until it shall have been countersigned by the Rights Agent.

                                      B-2
<PAGE>

     Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

          WITNESS the facsimile signature of the proper officers of the Company
and its corporate seal.

          Dated: ____________ __, ____

          Nutrition 21, Inc.

          By:  _____________________________

                   Title:

          Attest:

          By:____________________

          Title: Secretary

          Countersigned:

          AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY

          By:  _________________________

                 Authorized Signature

                                      B-3
<PAGE>

     Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

                    Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate

                               FORM OF ASSIGNMENT

(To be executed by the registered holder if such holder desires to transfer the
Right Certificate.)

          FOR VALUE RECEIVED _________________________________ hereby sells,
assigns and transfers unto______________________________________________________

                  (Please print name and address of transferee)

this Right Certificate, together with all right, title and interest therein, and
does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint ____________________________,
Attorney, to transfer the within Right Certificate on the books of the
within-named Company, with full power of substitution.

          Dated: _____________ __, ____

                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Signature

Signature Guaranteed:

          Signatures must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (a
bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union with membership
in an approved signature guarantee medallion program) pursuant to Rule 17Ad-15
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

                                  CERTIFICATION

          The undersigned hereby certifies that the Rights evidenced by this
Right Certificate are not, and to the knowledge of the undersigned have never
been, beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate
thereof (as defined in the Rights Agreement).

                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Signature

                    Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate
                          FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE

(To be executed if holder desires to exercise the Right Certificate.)

To:  Nutrition 21, Inc.

          The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise ________________
Rights represented by this Right Certificate to purchase the Preferred Shares
issuable upon the exercise of such Rights and requests that certificates for
such Preferred Shares be issued in the name of:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Please insert social security or other identifying number)

                                      B-4
<PAGE>

     Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Please print name and address)

          If such number of Rights shall not be all the Rights evidenced by this
Right Certificate, a new Right Certificate for the balance remaining of such
Rights shall be registered in the name of and delivered to:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Please insert social security or other identifying number)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Please print name and address)

Dated: _____________ ___,

                  ---------------------------------
                  Signature

Signature Guaranteed:

Signatures must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (a bank,
stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union with membership in an
approved signature guarantee medallion program) pursuant to Rule 17Ad-15 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

                                  CERTIFICATION

          The undersigned hereby certifies that the Rights evidenced by this
Right Certificate are not, and to the knowledge of the undersigned have never
been, beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate
thereof (as defined in the Rights Agreement).

                                     NOTICE

                  The signature in the foregoing Forms of Assignment and
Election must conform to the name as written upon the face of this Right
Certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change
whatsoever.

          In the event the certification set forth above in the Form of
Assignment or the Form of Election to Purchase, as the case may be, is not
completed, the Company and the Rights Agent will deem the beneficial owner of
the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate to be an Acquiring Person or an
Affiliate or Associate thereof (as defined in the Rights Agreement) and such
Assignment or Election to Purchase will not be honored.

                                      B-5
<PAGE>

     Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

                                                                       EXHIBIT C

                  SUMMARY OF RIGHTS TO PURCHASE PREFERRED STOCK

INTRODUCTION

          On September 12, 2002, the Board of Directors of our Company,
Nutrition 21, Inc., a New York corporation, declared a dividend of one preferred
share purchase right (a "Right") for each outstanding share of common stock, par
value $0.005 per share. The dividend is payable on September 25, 2002 to the
stockholders of record on September 25, 2002. The Rights are governed by a
Rights Agreement dated as of September 12, 2002 (the "Rights Agreement"), that
we entered into with American Stock Transfer & Trust Co., as the Rights Agent.

          Our Board has adopted this Rights Agreement to protect stockholders
from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics. In general terms, it works
by imposing a significant penalty upon any person or group that acquires 15% or
more of our outstanding common stock without the approval of our Board. However,
the percentage is 30% for any person or group that already was the beneficial
owner of 15% or more of our common stock at the time the Rights Agreement was
entered into (any such person or group being referred to as an "Exempted
Person"). The Rights Agreement should not interfere with any merger or other
business combination approved by our Board.

          We have provided below a summary description of certain terms of the
Rights Agreement. Please note this summary is not complete, and should be read
together with the entire Rights Agreement. A copy of the Rights Agreement has
been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to a Report
on Form 8-K dated September 12, 2002. A copy of the agreement is available free
of charge from our Company. If there is a conflict between the summary below and
the Rights Agreement, the Rights Agreement will govern.

THE RIGHTS

          Our Board authorized the issuance of a Right with respect to each
outstanding share of common stock on September 25, 2002. The Rights will
initially trade with, and will be inseparable from, the common stock.

          Until the Distribution Date described below, the Rights will be
evidenced only by certificates that represent shares of common stock. New Rights
will accompany any new shares of common stock we issue after September 25, 2002
until the Distribution Date described below, and in certain circumstances, new
shares of common stock we issue after the Distribution Date.

          New common stock certificates we issue after September 25, 2002 as a
result of transfers of stock by existing stockholders or of new issuances by us
will contain a notation referring to the Rights and the Rights Agreement.

PURCHASE PRICE

          Each Right will allow its holder to purchase from our Company one
one-thousandth of a share of Series H Participating Preferred Stock ("Preferred
Stock") for $3.00, once the Rights become exercisable. This portion of a share
of Preferred Stock

                                      C-1
<PAGE>

     Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

will give the stockholder approximately the same dividend, voting, and
liquidation rights as would one share of common stock. Prior to exercise, the
Right does not give its holder any dividend, voting, or liquidation rights as a
stockholder of our Company.

EXERCISABILITY

          The Rights will not be exercisable until:

          o    10 days after the public announcement that a person or group has
               become an "Acquiring Person" by obtaining beneficial ownership of
               15% or more of our outstanding common stock (30% in the case of
               an Exempted Person), or, if earlier,

          o    10 business days (or a later date determined by our Board before
               any person or group becomes an Acquiring Person) after a person
               or group begins a tender or exchange offer which, if completed,
               would result in that person or group becoming an Acquiring
               Person.

          We refer to the date when the Rights become exercisable as the
"Distribution Date." Until that date, the common stock certificates will also
evidence the Rights, and any transfer of shares of common stock will constitute
a transfer of Rights. After that date, the Rights will separate from the common
stock and be evidenced by Rights certificates that we will mail to all eligible
holders of common stock.

          Any Rights held by an Acquiring Person are void and may not be
exercised.

CONSEQUENCES OF A PERSON OR GROUP BECOMING AN ACQUIRING PERSON

          If a person or group becomes an Acquiring Person, all holders of
Rights, except the Acquiring Person, may, for a purchase price of $3.00, acquire
shares of our common stock having a market value of $6.00, based on the market
price of the common stock prior to such person or group becoming an Acquiring
Person.

          If our Company is later acquired in a merger or similar transaction
after the Distribution Date, all holders of Rights, except the Acquiring Person,
may, for a purchase price of $3.00, purchase shares of the acquiring corporation
having a market value of $6.00 based on the market price of the acquiring
corporation's stock, prior to such merger.

PREFERRED STOCK PROVISIONS

          Each share Preferred Stock, if issued:

               o    will not be redeemable;

               o    will be junior to any other series of preferred stock we may
                    issue;

               o    will entitle the holder to quarterly dividend payments in an
                    amount equal to 1,000 times the dividend, if any, paid on
                    one share of common stock (so that one one-thousandth of a
                    share of Preferred Stock would entitle the holder to

                                      C-2
<PAGE>

       Exhibit 4.1 RIGHTS AGREEMENTnutri21

                    receive a quarterly dividend payment that is the same as any
                    dividend paid on one share of common stock);

               o    will entitle the holder upon liquidation to receive 1,000
                    times the payment made on one share of common stock (so that
                    one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock would
                    entitle the holder to receive the same payment as is made on
                    one share of common stock); and

               o    will have the same voting power as 1,000 shares of commons
                    stock (so that one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred
                    Stock would have the same voting rights as one share of
                    common stock); and

          The value of one one-thousandth interest in a share of Preferred Stock
should approximate the value of one share of common stock.

EXPIRATION

          The Rights will expire on September 11, 2012 or on an earlier date if
we redeem them, as discussed below.

REDEMPTION

          Our Board may redeem the Rights for $0.001 per Right at any time
before the close of business on the tenth calendar date following the date on
which any person or group becomes an Acquiring Person. If our Board redeems any
Rights, it must redeem all of the Rights. Once the Rights are redeemed, the only
right of the holders of Rights will be to receive the redemption price of $0.001
per Right, in cash, common stock or other securities, as determined by our
Board.

ANTI-DILUTION PROVISIONS

          The Rights will have the benefit of certain customary anti-dilution
provisions.

AMENDMENTS

          The terms of the Rights Agreement may be amended by our Board without
the consent of the holders of the Rights. However, after a person or group
becomes an Acquiring Person, our Board may not amend the agreement in a way that
adversely affects holders of the Rights.

                                      C-3

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00043-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00043-of-00352.parquet"}]]