As a general matter, MLM companies will be very specific about what distributors can and cannot say about the company’s products. Usually, this information will appear in the company’s literature. MLM companies can find themselves in serious mess with state officials, the FTC, the FDA, and other government agencies if unauthorized product claims are being made by consultants.
In 1994, The Dietary Supplement Act enabled MLM companies and their distributors to amplify their statements on the benefits of dietary supplements. Under the 1994 Dietary Supplement Act, third-party literature and/or scientific studies, which are generic in nature, are allowed to be passed out to the public.
MLM companies that have specific data to backup their statements may make claims about ingredients in their products when the claims relate specifically to their impact on the structure and function of the human body, as opposed to medical therapeutic claims. For instance, under The Dietary Supplement Act, a direct sales company may comment that vitamin C is beneficial to connective tissue. Keep in mind, however, that this is not the same thing as claiming that a particular nutrient in a product will treat or cure a connective tissue disease.
For more information about earnings claims and unauthorized product claims, please visit the following links:
The FDA and Health Claims Article
Earnings Claims and Consumer Protection Laws Video
The Difference Between MLM Earnings Calculators and Earnings Claims Video
FDA Notification for Permissible Structure/Function Claims for Dietary Supplements
New Video: Earnings Claims and Consumer Protection Laws
MLM Company and Distributor Training on the Direct Selling Industry
Why do companies restrict the type of advertising carried on by their distributors?
FDA Health Claims: The Final Rules Article
FDA: New Health Claim Rules:
Choosing the Right Product for Your Direct Selling Company
Distributor Training – Two Common Questions
MLM and the FDA
MLM’s History with the Government
New Video – Unauthorized Medical Claims and FDA Issues
FDA to Issue Revised NDI Guidance – Nutraceuticals World Reports
Nutritional Supplements, Health Claims and MLM
MLM Attorney – How a MLM Lawyer Can Help Your Direct Selling Business
FDA to Issue Revised NDI Guidance – Nutraceuticals World Reports
For more information, visit our websites at www.mlmlegal.com and www.mlmattorney.com. Or, visit our blogs at http://mlmlegal.com/MLMBlog/ and http://mlmattorney.com/blog/.
Find us on our social networks:
Google+
LinkedIn
Twitter
Myspace
Facebook
And, as always, visit MLMLegal.com, the best MLM resource on the web. The next Starting and Running the Successful MLM Company Conference will be here before you know it! On May 16th and 17th, 2013 we are hosting the MLM Conference for the 25th year! This is now our 64th annual conference (held almost consistently three times per year over the last 24 years). All executives/owners of MLM, direct selling, network marking, and party plan companies are welcome to attend. This is the original MLM Startup Conference, hosted and perfected by direct selling industry expert, MLM Attorney Jeff Babener. Call 503-226-6600 or 800-231-2162 to register. (Can’t make this event? Keep an eye out for our October and February conferences as well.)
As a consultant, what can I say about a MLM company’s nutritional/dietary supplement products?
As a general matter, MLM companies will be very specific about what distributors can and cannot say about the company’s products. Usually, this information will appear in the company’s literature. MLM companies can find themselves in serious mess with state officials, the FTC, the FDA, and other government agencies if unauthorized product claims are being made by consultants.
In 1994, The Dietary Supplement Act enabled MLM companies and their distributors to amplify their statements on the benefits of dietary supplements. Under the 1994 Dietary Supplement Act, third-party literature and/or scientific studies, which are generic in nature, are allowed to be passed out to the public.
MLM companies that have specific data to backup their statements may make claims about ingredients in their products when the claims relate specifically to their impact on the structure and function of the human body, as opposed to medical therapeutic claims. For instance, under The Dietary Supplement Act, a direct sales company may comment that vitamin C is beneficial to connective tissue. Keep in mind, however, that this is not the same thing as claiming that a particular nutrient in a product will treat or cure a connective tissue disease.
For more information about earnings claims and unauthorized product claims, please visit the following links:
The FDA and Health Claims Article
Earnings Claims and Consumer Protection Laws Video
The Difference Between MLM Earnings Calculators and Earnings Claims Video
FDA Notification for Permissible Structure/Function Claims for Dietary Supplements
New Video: Earnings Claims and Consumer Protection Laws
MLM Company and Distributor Training on the Direct Selling Industry
Why do companies restrict the type of advertising carried on by their distributors?
FDA Health Claims: The Final Rules Article
FDA: New Health Claim Rules:
Choosing the Right Product for Your Direct Selling Company
Distributor Training – Two Common Questions
MLM and the FDA
MLM’s History with the Government
New Video – Unauthorized Medical Claims and FDA Issues
FDA to Issue Revised NDI Guidance – Nutraceuticals World Reports
Nutritional Supplements, Health Claims and MLM
MLM Attorney – How a MLM Lawyer Can Help Your Direct Selling Business
FDA to Issue Revised NDI Guidance – Nutraceuticals World Reports
For more information, visit our websites at www.mlmlegal.com and www.mlmattorney.com. Or, visit our blogs at http://mlmlegal.com/MLMBlog/ and http://mlmattorney.com/blog/.
Find us on our social networks:
Google+
LinkedIn
Twitter
Myspace
Facebook
And, as always, visit MLMLegal.com, the best MLM resource on the web. The next Starting and Running the Successful MLM Company Conference will be here before you know it! On May 16th and 17th, 2013 we are hosting the MLM Conference for the 25th year! This is now our 64th annual conference (held almost consistently three times per year over the last 24 years). All executives/owners of MLM, direct selling, network marking, and party plan companies are welcome to attend. This is the original MLM Startup Conference, hosted and perfected by direct selling industry expert, MLM Attorney Jeff Babener. Call 503-226-6600 or 800-231-2162 to register. (Can’t make this event? Keep an eye out for our October and February conferences as well.)