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BBB National Programs’ Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council Applauds Federal Trade Commission’s Warning Letters on Coronavirus Claims

Arlington, VA – April 28, 2020 – BBB National Programs’ vice president of the Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC), Peter Marinello, today applauded the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)’s April 24 action to send 10 warning letters to direct selling businesses disseminating inaccurate claims about the ability of their products to treat or prevent coronavirus disease, as well as claims that their salesforce members can earn significant income during the current pandemic that is not representative of the amount of income that their salesforce members generally earn. 

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there currently are no products that are scientifically proven to treat or prevent the virus. 

Marinello issued the following statement: 

“Now is the time for direct selling companies to step up and fulfill their commitment to self-regulation. The actions taken by the FTC are consistent with the recent guidance issued by both DSSRC and the Direct Selling Association (DSA) cautioning direct selling companies against expressly claiming or implying that their products can prevent, treat, alleviate, or cure COVID-19 and its symptoms. 

“Several of the direct selling companies that received warnings letters from the FTC have also been the subject of recent DSSRC self-regulatory inquiries. They have committed to take significant steps to monitor their salesforce and refrain from communicating any claims that could be interpreted as offering protection from COVID-19 or its symptoms. 

“DSSRC remains concerned with the continued proliferation of these claims and will continue to monitor the advertising messages of these direct selling companies as well as other companies in the industry to make sure they adhere to appropriate and ethical advertising standards throughout this pandemic.”  

To submit a challenge to a COVID-19 or other problematic health-related claim, visit  https://bbbprograms.org/docs/default-source/dssrc/filing-a-dssrc-challenge.pdf for direct selling companies and  https://bbbprograms.org/programs/all-programs/national-advertising-division for other advertising claims.