Posted by Peter Arnold / Canada on September 30, 2002 at 10:01:24:
In Reply to: A suggestion about Internet Sites posted by Ken Wheaton on September 30, 2002 at 08:06:54:
Dear Ken:
Your letter to 4Life below is brilliant in my view.
It is one thing to register a concern or complaint.
It is quite another to offer a concrete suggestion.
This is a most critical issue, especially for those of us building primarily on the Internet.
4Life is simply trying to keep us, and itself, on the right side of the regulatory regime. Given the
direction the FDA and other government watchdogs are moving, every ntritional MLM in our industry is wisely taking corrective measures to safeguard against repercussions.
There have already been major lawsuits against both nutritional MLM's, and Distributors. Many MLM's have been forced to retract claims made and withdraw brochures, audios, videos from the field.
Many are now looking at their distributor's marketing websites.
It is a 'monumental' challenge for MLMs to take measures that are comprehensive and strict - to abide by the rules - yet 'balanced' for the needs of the field.
My own guess is that 4Life is struggling as much as we are, to deal with this in a fair and honorable way.
To date I have not had the privilege of meeting David Lisonbee, but I trust Mike Akins completely on what he says about him. I am also grateful, and respect the fact that Mike represents us on
the Board for serious issues like this.
As I understand it, our CEO has had 'extensive' experience in dealing with FDA officials, and this I believe would be to our distinct advantage.
I do agree totally with you about the ANA Certification Course.
As unpopular as this may sound, I believe it should be 'mandatory' for those of us affiliated with a company such as 4Life, a pioneer in the nutritional supplement sector of our industry.
Education is the 'key' here, and this is a good starting point.
The more we all know about the DO's and DO-NOT's of "DSHEA" (the 'Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act', made law by Congress in 1994) - the better informed we will be on the magnitude of the whole area of 'compliance'. Dr. Magnus and I happen to feel exactly the same on that topic.
Although it may now sound like a broken record - despite the overwhelming and compelling customer testimonials - we must exercise extreme caution. We must stress to consumers that our products - however amazing they may be - are strictly FOOD SUPPLEMENTS. The things we can and cannot say are clearly spelled out in DSHEA.
We must be prepared to disclose...
===========================================
That our products do NOT...diagnose...prevent... treat...cure...or mitigate any illness or disease. That Transfer Factor modulates and regulates the body's Immune System - the
'cornerstone' of wellness - so that the BODY can protect / defend / heal ITSELF.
=============================================
If somehow 4Life could implement a strategy such as you propose along these lines - at the corporate level - I believe we could get very close to an equitable solution.
Thank you Ken, for sharing with us your wisdom on this most serious matter. Your posts are always of immediate interest to me.
Kindest regards, Peter A. / Canada