Isagenix

Isagenix International LLC is a privately held multi-level marketing (MLM) company that sells dietary supplements and personal care products. The company, based in Gilbert, Arizona, was founded in 2002 by John Anderson, Jim Coover, and Kathy Coover.[2] As of 2013, the company reported having over 200,000 active MLM distributors. In 2017, the company reported revenues of $958 million.[3] The company employed 850 people as of 2017.

Isagenix International
TypePrivate
IndustryDietary supplements, multi-level marketing
Founded2002
Headquarters
Gilbert, Arizona
,
US
Key people
Jim Coover, Founder
Kathy Coover, Founder
John Anderson, Founder
Sharron Walsh, CEO[1]
Websiteisagenix.com

The company has been challenged for making product claims that are not supported by science.[4][5]

History

Isagenix was founded by John Anderson and Jim and Kathy Coover in 2002.[6] Anderson had previously worked in the nutritional supplement industry and Jim and Kathy Coover had experience in the multi-level marketing industry.[6] Jim Coover is chairman and Kathy Coover is the company's executive vice president.

Isagenix expanded into Australia and New Zealand in 2007.[7]

In February 2009, Isagenix was part of a nationwide recall on peanuts thought to be contaminated with Salmonella, which were used by Isagenix in their Chocolate Dipped Honey Peanut Bar.[8] The recall was voluntarily issued by the company, on FDA recommendations. No cases of illness were reported.[9]

Isagenix entered into a business arrangement with biologist William H. Andrews of Sierra Sciences in September 2011, and the following year launched an “anti-aging” product containing several natural compounds that Sierra Sciences had reportedly verified to have "telomere-supporting" properties.[10]

In January 2020, Isagenix International announced its acquisition of Zija International, a multi-level marketing company based in Lehi, Utah.[11]

The company partnered with TerraCycle in 2021 to recycle product packaging that cannot be processed through municipal programs.

Products and business model

Using a multi-level marketing model,[4][12][13][14][10][15] Isagenix sells dietary supplement products such as protein shakes, weight loss supplements, and diet snacks and meals, as well as cosmetics. The Isagenix diet involves consuming Isagenix products, low-calorie meals, and shakes for 30 days, along with other products like cleanses and supplements.[16]

The company also sells "Financial Wellness" product bundles to their multi-level marketing distributors. Distributors are required to actively recruit new members to earn money.[15] The company's promotional materials highlight people earning more than $100k per month; however, most distributors earn less than 500 dollars per year.

Physician Harriet A. Hall published a lengthy critique of Isagenix products in Skeptical Inquirer, in which she said that many of the claims made about the products are false, and that the amount of vitamin A in some of the products is dangerous and goes against the recommendations of The Medical Letter.[4]

According to a report by Australian consumer organization CHOICE, Isagenix makes claims about its "nutritional cleansing" product that are not supported by science, while other Isagenix weight-loss products are similar in content to much cheaper store-bought alternatives. The report also describes instances of unqualified associates providing medical advice about the products, a practice which the company says it does not authorize.[5]

References
  1. "Sharron Walsh Named Isagenix CEO - Direct Selling News".
  2. "Isagenix International, LLC: Private Company Information - Bloomberg". Investing.businessweek.com. Retrieved 2017-07-14.
  3. "Isagenix Generates $1.6 Billion GDP Impact on U.S. Economy". Isagenix. 5 October 2018. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
  4. Hall, Harriet (January–February 2011). "Defending Isagenix: A Case Study in Flawed Thinking". Skeptical Inquirer. 35 (1). Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  5. Browne, Kate (29 January 2015). "Isagenix under the microscope". Choice. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  6. "Hoover's Company Records - In-depth Records: Isagenix International, LLC". Hoover's. May 23, 2014.
  7. "The skinny on Isagenix". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2015-01-28. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
  8. "Peanut Products Recall". Food and Drug Administration. Archived from the original on 2011-08-25. Retrieved 2017-07-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  9. "Archived copy". Food and Drug Administration. Archived from the original on 2013-11-25. Retrieved 2013-01-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. Hooper, Joseph (20 September 2018). "The Man Who Would Stop Time". Popular Science Magazine.
  11. International, Isagenix. "Isagenix International Acquires Zija International". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2020-02-21.
  12. "The skinny on Isagenix". Sydney Morning Herald. January 29, 2015. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  13. Browne, Kate (March 14, 2017). "Lose weight, make money?". Choice. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  14. Chung, Frank (January 31, 2015). "Don't mention the 'P' word". News.com.au. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  15. Carstensen, Melinda (January 20, 2016). "Facebook users recruit friends for diet, supplement programs — but is it legit?". Fox News. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  16. Eske, Jamie (2019-01-07). "Isagenix diet: Does it work and is it safe?". www.medicalnewstoday.com. Retrieved 2022-02-09.
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