Zurvita Voluntarily Discontinues Certain Product Performance Claims; Direct Selling Watchdog Recommends Others be Discontinued

McLean, VA – August 14, 2024 – The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC) of BBB National Programs recommended that Zurvita modify or discontinue certain health-related product performance claims for its Zeal Wellness, Zurvita Burn, R3PAIR, and other health supplements. 

The advertising claims were made by Zurvita Holdings, Inc., a direct selling company that sells energy drinks and other nutritional health supplements. The inquiry was brought to DSSRC by a non-governmental advocacy group (NGO).

The challenged product performance claims include, but are not limited to:

Zeal Wellness

• “Clinically shown to reduce stress and increase productivity”
• “Clinically Studied: In an independent clinical study* results showed that, by drinking two servings of Zeal a day, 85% of healthy participants experienced improved overall mood and a 23% increase in vigor and activity, as well as less anxiety and fatigue.”
• “The difference is backed by science. A study from independent third-party research firm KGK Synergize confirms that the positive benefits of drinking Zeal include improved mood, stronger vigor and vitality and less anxiety and fatigue.”
• “Zeal has been clinically shown to reduce stress and increase productivity while making you feel vibrant, focused, calm and confident. Zeal’s natural source of clean energy can provide a boost of consistent and stable, long-lasting energy throughout your day.”

Zurvita Burn

• “Zurvita’s dietary supplement designed specifically to optimize your metabolism, and improve your strength and performance. It supports healthy blood glucose levels and helps aid in overall health and wellness. Available in a 30-day supply of 60 capsules. Zurvita supplements are essential to supporting a healthy and active lifestyle. When taken together, they work to maintain healthy bodily function, allowing you to be your best, inside and out.”

Zurvita Performance R3PAIR

• “Zurvita Performance R3PAIR is a great-tasting, berry-flavored post-workout solution that accelerates muscle recovery through premium restorative ingredients, helps to reduce muscle soreness and inflammation, while also stimulating nutrient uptake. Available in 30 servings per canister or box of 10 on-the-go stick paks.”
• “Clinically- tested and athlete- recognized, our products are backed by award- winning ingredients, scientists, doctors and inspired by nature’s best resources. And we believe in them so much, they come with a money-back guarantee.”
• Before and after weight loss depictions

H2O Hydrating Mix

• “Scientifically backed”

Zundora

• “Clinically proven to provide healthier-looking hair, skin and nails. Zundora can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in just 28 days for your beauty on the outside.”

Recovery Essentials System (Zundora/R3PAIR/H2O Hydrating Mix) 

• “This wonderful bundle is designed to accelerate muscle recovery, boost hydration levels, and support healthy skin, hair, nails, and joint mobility. It is the first step to preparing your body for peak performance by supporting your muscles and joints with nutrient-dense ingredients that are clinically clean and effective and keep you hydrated.”

Zurvita participated in the DSSRC process in good faith and worked quickly to remove and revise a number of the product performance claims identified by the NGO. 

Zurvita submitted data demonstrating an increase in nutrient absorption that DSSRC determined does substantiate its R3PAIR “stimulates nutrient uptake” claim.

In several claims, DSSRC determined that studies submitted to substantiate challenged claims produced encouraging results but did not sufficiently support the claims at issue. This includes establishment claims for Zeal Wellness and claims that Zurvita R3PAIR accelerates muscle recovery and helps reduce muscle soreness and inflammation. Accordingly, DSSRC recommended that these claims be discontinued. 

DSSRC determined that the claims stating that Zurvita Burn “is designed specifically to optimize your metabolism,” “improves your strength and performance,” and “supports health blood glucose levels” have not been adequately substantiated and recommended that these claims be modified or discontinued. 

DSSRC also determined that Zurvita’s reliance on Health Canada’s monograph regarding L-Leucine did not substantiate its claim that R3PAIR accelerates muscle repair and recommended that those claims be discontinued. In addition, DSSRC recommended Zurvita either discontinue its “scientifically backed” reference in describing the H20 Hydrating Mix or modify the language to limit the use of “scientifically backed ingredients” so as not to imply that the product itself has been clinically scrutinized. 

Zurvita conceded that it did not possess substantiation for Zundora’s effects on hair and nails so DSSRC concluded that the establishment claim regarding the benefits of Zundora was not substantiated in the context presented on the Zurvita website and should be discontinued or modified accordingly.

Lastly, Zurvita did not provide any data regarding how the three products in its Recovery Essentials System would interact or if the efficacy of one product may be offset by the presence of another. While DSSRC did not object to general claims about boosting hydration, it was recommended that Zurvita modify or discontinue the specific performance claims pertaining to its Recovery Essentials System. It was also recommended that Zurvita provide more information in its description of the “clinically clean” ingredients in its Recovery Essentials System.

DSSRC appreciates Zurvita for their proactive approach to addressing issues identified by DSSRC as well as their commitment to the self-regulatory process and a continued effort to keep unsupported claims out of the marketplace. 

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.