DSSRC Administrative Closure #127
The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (“DSSRC”) contacted a direct selling company (the “Company”) regarding four Facebook posts disseminated by Company salesforce members. All four posts referenced the products ability to treat coronavirus by virtue of the product’s efficacy at boosting the immune system. While some of the claims expressly identified COVID-19 (e.g., “Lets fight COVID-19 – Boost your immunity”) other claims made general reference to fighting viruses in a context that DSSRC determined could be interpreted by consumers as referring specifically to COVID-19 (e.g., “Helps you get rid of the virus”). Two of the posts were disseminated by sales force members located in foreign countries.
Immediately after receipt of DSSRC’s opening letter, the Company promptly contacted the salesforce members responsible for the subject social media posts and had its sales force members disable all four posts. Based upon the Company’s good faith efforts to address the concerns of DSSRC, DSSRC administratively closed this inquiry.
(closed on 2/1/2021)