Do Not, I Repeat, DO NOT Make Health Claims!!!!

[Timothy Carter]

In the nutritional world...the government CONTROLS what you are allowed to say! You read that right...you need to be VERY careful about what you say or write!

You need to be sure that you, your downline and/or your company is not making income claims and DEFINITELY not health claims on their websites, your website, blog, or in talking directly to your prospects!

This is INCREDIBLY important folks! This is something I don't joke about...and you SHOULD NOT either!

If you do make health claims like, "it helped my asthma, it helped my diabetes, my cancer", etc. You are putting your business and your company in jeopardy of being shut down by the FTC and/or FDA!

Making those types of claims puts your company and product into the realm of a "drug" and only drug companies can make those kind of claims! Nutritional companies and YOU, do not have the legal right to do.

I speak from personal experience folks. The previous company I was with over 4 years ago, got shut down for having language in their marketing materials that ran afoul of both the FDA and FTC! I lost a very, very nice FT income! My business partner lost a $350,000 a month income because of it!

You need to educate yourself, you need to educate your downline...and if your company is allowing people to make such claims or have such information in their marketing materials...they need to get educated...OR you need to plan on finding another company!

Here's a link to the FTC's website on their advertising guidelines for nutritional products and companies where you can LEARN!

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/buspubs/dietsupp.shtm

If you are putting all your residual income eggs into the basket of a company that allows or makes such claims, your financial future and business is very likely in jeopardy.

Get educated, be aware...protect your future!

With sincerest regards,
Timothy Carter
Whole Food Optimal Health
The Residual Income Lifestyle
http://theresidualincomelifestyle.com/blog

[PaulaNQ]

Just getting around to reading your blog. Great information. I am glad to say that my company is very strict on this as well. And it makes sense to not make health or medical claims because each person's biochemistry is different.What works for you may not work for me. For example, a lot of the products that presumably curb your appetite, actually make me hungry. One natural product that was supposed to make you sleep made me and my mother stay awake. Go figure! One thing for sure, as Dr. Murphy alluded to, it's good to be in the wellness industry versus the sick care industry.

[Winnie Anders]

Hi Timothy,
Had to let this subject mellow in my mind for awhile. It brought back old memories.
At the time it happened, my personal story seemed too good not to tell. Even writing about it now has me searching for the right words and phrasing least I step over the line.
I had such a remarkable experience with my company's flagship product that I wanted to share it with the company. I sent my story in as a testimonial and was shocked at what little substance was left after they "edited it". But it's true, I protested. It's even backed up with mammograms and reports. There's medical proof.
My company is really a stickler when it comes to making claims. It implies that you were healed, they said, and we can't allow that. Never the less, a gurney went into the surgery suite without me on it that day.
I couldn't tell my story but just watch the claims Big Pharma is allowed to place in their TV ads. It makes me sick. At least now they do have to list the side affects with the ads.
You're absolutely right, Timothy. You have to be very careful, even when you're telling the absolute truth.Thanks for reminding all of us.
Winnie Anders

[Peggy from Porcupine]

Ooops, I meant "Actually Celia" silly me.... :o(

[Peggy from Porcupine]

Actually, Timothy, you cannot link a product with a disease-healing story. You can say "My over-all health has improved since taking these nutrients" and that is probably the extent of what you can say. However, you can explain your various nutritional supplements and show why they probably give the body a better sense of wellness.

For example you can explain that your Vitamin C is an all natural plant based Vitamin and therefore helps prevent scurvy (a known fact) because the body will recognise it's matrix and absorb/utilise it.

Whereas synthetic Vitamin C helps continue the assumption of 'expensive urine' - ie it just goes right through you and makes very little impact on your overall health.

And, like was said earlier, every company will have those who will insist on doing it their own way - the modern day Snake Oil Salesman, all hype - but they will be stopped, etiher by their company or by the FDA closing down the company.

[Celia Champion-Bethard]

Timothy,
This is so true!!!
But, sharing your personal story or the stories of others is key to the education of what a product does.
Saying "This product did this for me........" is not making claims as long as you say "This is my personal story, I do not know what it will do for you........."
Please tell me what you think.
I believe that FACTS TELL and STORIES SELL!!!
Celia

[Darla K. Sensabaugh]

I'm not even this stuff and I knew this but hopefully this will alert people to be careful. You can lead a horse to water but you can't force them to drink. You've told the truth in love and now it's up to each person to listen to what you've said. Great post Timothy! Blessings, Darla

[Sharon Foutch]

Timothy. . . Thank you so much for your comments and admonition to be careful. None of us would want to risk such a great loss!

I also appreciate Dr. Muphy's comments above. I wish it were easier to get the medical community to understand the benefits of whole superfoods that nourish the body from the inside out. I shared our product information with a potential customer this week and his doctor labeled our product "snake oil" without even taking a look at the facts and the research. Hmmm. There will be those people and doctors who are just closed minded about this and maybe they have much more to lose (financially) than they are willing to admit. It almost seems like they are afraid of recommending any nutritional supplements or whole foods.

Since I have had wonderful results with our drink I am willing to get through those who are negative to those who really want to find renewed health, vitality and energy! This does take persistance, but it is so worth it! There is nothing more satisfying than being able to help others live in abundance and higher levels of health!

Blessings and Best of Health! Sharon

[Dr. Angelique Murphy, MD]

Tim,
I appreciate your comments. I am a physician who specializes in health and wellness. Currently we have a sick care system that is dependent upon pharmaceuticals so there is very little emphasis or reimbursement for prevention and wellness. Keep in mind that the wellness revolution is a patient driven industry and as nutritional supplementation compromises the current system it creates a challenge.

I agree no one should make claims they do not know to be a fact, but it is essential that health care providers know how to recommend nutritional supplementation. Those of you in the wellness industry should have the support of your medical community. There are some quality products distributed through direct sales which have far fewer potential adverse effects than many mainstream pharmaceuticals. Also often supplementation is necessary to replenish the nutrient deficiencies caused by pharmaceuticals.

First be a product of your products and be honest about the products impact upon your own health. Study the industry, know your products and work with a wellness coach. I personally agree with Hippocrates "Let food be your medicine" and when that is not enough know how to supplement.

[Trixi Scantlin]

Our company also is very adamant about making any claims whether income or health. A disclaimer is on every piece of literature etc. Thank you for the reminder. Blessings, Trixi

[Carol Evans]

In any industry you must be very careful on the claims you make. I am in the skincare industry and have recently learned that we are the only company that can make the claim that our products "change the texture of your skin," because we have FDA approved medicines in our products. Other companies can only say "appearance" of change. Before making any statements what you say should be checked very carefully.

And Jack, I like your comments very much. Unfortunately there will always be unethical reps in any business.