The FDA recently sent letters to both Young Living and doTerra, warning them that they had observed instances of their products being
promoted for conditions that cause them to be drugs under section 201(g)(1)(B) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act) [21 U.S.C. § 321(g)(1)(B)], because they are intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease.
Young Living
and
doTerra
are competing MLM companies that operate in the essential oils niche.
As one might expect, the FDA found the products being inappropriately marketed on affiliate websites. They also however found both companies to be pushing the disease angle in their inhouse marketing too.
In their letter to Young Living, dated September 22nd, the FDA wrote
This is to advise you that in August 2014 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed websites and social media accounts (
e.g.,
Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest) for several Young Living essential oil consultants that your firm refers to as “Young Living distributors.”
(The) FDA also reviewed a 2012-2013 product guide found on your website.
Your consultants promote many of your Young Living Essential Oil Products for conditions such as, but not limited to,
viral infections (including ebola), Parkinson’s disease, autism, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, insomnia, heart disease, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), dementia, and multiple sclerosis
, that are not amenable to self-diagnosis and treatment by individuals who are not medical practitioners.
Consumers interested in your Young Living Essential Oil products are then redirected by your consultants to your website, to purchase your products and/or register as members.
One Young Living affiliate website cited as an example is “The Oil Dropper”:
On the website, theoildropper.com, under the heading, “Young Living Versus Ebola Virus”:
Under the subheading, “Be Prepared”:
-“Since I have become an avid Young Living essential oil user I have learned all about the anti-microbial properties of so many oils, including ANTI-VIRAL constituents in many of our essential oils.”
–
“Viruses (including Ebola) are no match for Young Living Essential Oils”
Under the subheading, “Top Oil Choices for Viruses”:
-“Top on my list is Thieves. Thieves is highly anti-microbial . . . it could help against Ebola.”
-“Ebola Virus can not live in the presence of cinnamon bark (this is in Thieves) nor Oregano.” [sic]
-“ImmuPower by Young Living would be a top choice as well. ImmuPower is a blended oil containing (oregano, clove, frankincense, ravintsara, cistus, mountain savory and hyssop). Every single one of these individual oils has anti-viral properties.”
On the website, theoildropper.com, under the heading, “Rosemary Essential Oil by Young Living”:
-“[R]egular use of rosemary essential oil may . . . help prevent diseases associated with free radicals,
including cancer and heart disease.
”
-“Rosemary research in regards to Alzhei
🤖 Quick Answer
What did the FDA warn Young Living and doTerra about?The FDA issued warning letters to both companies for promoting essential oil products with disease treatment and prevention claims, which classifies them as drugs under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The agency identified inappropriate marketing on affiliate websites and official company channels.
Why are Young Living and doTerra's marketing practices problematic?
Under section 201(g)(1)(B) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, products promoted for diagnosing, curing, mitigating, treating, or preventing disease are classified as drugs and require FDA approval. Both MLM companies violated this regulation through their marketing strategies.
How did the FDA discover these violations?
The FDA investigation revealed that both Young Living and doTerra were making disease-related claims not only on third-party affiliate websites but also in their official in-house marketing materials and communications
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