Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council Recommends Immunotec Discontinue Certain Earnings and Health-Related Product Performance Claims

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McLean, VA – January 18, 2022 – The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC) of BBB National Programs recommended that certain product performance and earnings claims made by Immunotec and its salesforce be discontinued. 

The inquiry was commenced by DSSRC through its ongoing independent monitoring of advertising and marketing claims in the direct selling industry. The claims that were the subject of the inquiry were disseminated by Immunotec salesforce members on social media as well as on the company website. Immunotec is a direct selling company that sells nutritional products and supplements.

Product Claims include, but are not limited to:

• “Helps build your immune system. I’ve put many people fighting cancer, pneumonia on it. Helps with infertility too.”
• The importance of Glutathione, and the benefits with Autism, and our Immune System in general. Taking Immunocal the only precursor of Glutathione will help A LOT! LISTEN to the video.”
• “Protect yourself from the viruses we’re exposed every day! Strengthening your immune system with Immunocal.”

Earnings claims include, but are not limited to:

• “Immunotec’s Compensation Plan rewards you with immediate and long-term income…”
• “…. it is amazing to be able to help others recover their finances and support their own families.”
• “… Nothing comes close to Immunocal. I make more money nowadays than I used to.”
• “We worked hard for years and, in the last 6 we’ve been able to enjoy freedom, complete ownership of our life, our time, and our finances. We can do what we want when we want. When you join Immunotec, there are no limits. You can decide to work sometimes, part time or full time.”

As noted in previous DSSRC cases, health-related claims must be supported by competent and reliable scientific evidence, as defined by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). DSSRC informed Immunotec of its concern that these product claims may convey unsubstantiated health-related and wellness benefits. Immunotec did not contest DSSRC’s concerns. 

Regarding the earnings claims, DSSRC informed Immunotec of its concern that a reasonable consumer may interpret these and similar claims to mean that salesforce members can earn significant income from the Immunotec business opportunity and again, Immunotec did not contest DSSRC’s concerns. 

DSSRC requested that Immunotec immediately remove all social media posts and website language indicating that its products are efficacious against the stated health-related conditions as well as the challenged claims that salesforce members will receive significant income from the Immunotec business opportunity. 

While DSSRC appreciated the company’s commitment to having the challenged content removed, and good faith effort to remove most social media posts from circulation, DSSRC remained concerned that one Facebook post and some of the website language is still publicly available. 

Should DSSRC continue to identify social media posts or website language that include claims such as the health-related and earnings claims outlined in this case, it will commence a compliance inquiry with Immunotec to evaluate that appropriate steps have been taken to ensure that claims are discontinued.

All BBB National Programs case decision summaries can be found in the case decision library. For full text of DSSRC decisions, visit the DSSRC Cases and Closures webpage.

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About BBB National Programs: BBB National Programs is where businesses turn to enhance consumer trust and consumers are heard. The non-profit organization creates a fairer playing field for businesses and a better experience for consumers through the development and delivery of effective third-party accountability and dispute resolution programs. Embracing its role as an independent organization since the restructuring of the Council of Better Business Bureaus in June 2019, BBB National Programs today oversees more than a dozen leading national industry self-regulation programs, and continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-directed marketing, and privacy. To learn more, visit bbbprograms.org.

About the Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council: The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC), a division of BBB National Programs, provides independent, impartial monitoring, dispute resolution, and enforcement of false product claims and income representations made by direct selling companies and their salesforce members across digital platforms. The DSSRC seeks to establish high standards of integrity and business ethics for all direct selling companies in the marketplace.