What is the Zilis Lawsuit?
Zilis is a direct-selling company that sells wellness products, including hemp products, weight management products, skincare products, joint and muscle support products, and overall wellness products. In December 2022, the Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC) recommended that Zilis discontinue certain health-related product performance claims made by its salesforce members on social media.
The DSSRC is an independent, non-profit organization that monitors and self-regulates advertising and marketing claims in the direct selling industry. The DSSRC’s investigation of Zilis was initiated in response to concerns that the company’s salesforce members were making unsubstantiated health claims about its products.
The DSSRC found that some of Zilis’ salesforce members were claiming that the company’s products could effectively treat serious health conditions, including anxiety, fibromyalgia, arthritis, diabetes, chronic pain, stress, and depression. The DSSRC also found that some of Zilis’ salesforce members were using testimonials to support these claims, but that the testimonials were not supported by competent and reliable scientific evidence.
The DSSRC recommended that Zilis discontinue the following health-related product performance claims:
- That Zilis products can effectively treat serious health conditions, such as anxiety, fibromyalgia, arthritis, diabetes, chronic pain, stress, and depression.
- That Zilis products are more effective than other products on the market at treating or preventing health conditions.
- That Zilis products are safe and effective for everyone, including pregnant women and children.
- That Zilis products are backed by scientific evidence, when this is not the case.
The DSSRC also recommended that Zilis take steps to ensure that its salesforce members are complying with the DSSRC’s Code of Ethics, which prohibits false or misleading advertising and marketing claims.
Zilis has agreed to comply with the DSSRC’s recommendations. The company has removed the health-related product performance claims from its website and has informed its salesforce members that they are prohibited from making these claims.
Conclusion
The Zilis lawsuit is a reminder that it is important to be cautious about health-related claims made by direct-selling companies. It is also important to be aware of the DSSRC and its role in self-regulating the direct selling industry.
FAQs
Q: What is the DSSRC?
The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC) is an independent, non-profit organization that monitors and self-regulates advertising and marketing claims in the direct selling industry. The DSSRC is funded by the direct selling industry, but it operates independently of the industry.
Q: What are the DSSRC’s recommendations for Zilis?
The DSSRC has recommended that Zilis discontinue certain health-related product performance claims made by its salesforce members. The DSSRC has also recommended that Zilis take steps to ensure that its salesforce members are complying with the DSSRC’s Code of Ethics.
Q: Has Zilis agreed to comply with the DSSRC’s recommendations?
Yes, Zilis has agreed to comply with the DSSRC’s recommendations. The company has removed the health-related product performance claims from its website and has informed its salesforce members that they are prohibited from making these claims.
Q: What should I do if I see a health-related claim about a direct-selling product that I am unsure about?
If you see a health-related claim about a direct-selling product that you are unsure about, you should contact the company directly to ask for more information. You can also report the claim to the DSSRC.
Q: Are all direct-selling companies scams?
No, not all direct-selling companies are scams. However, it is important to be cautious about health-related claims made by direct-selling companies and to do your research before purchasing any products.
Q: How can I tell if a health-related claim about a direct-selling product is legitimate?
There are a few things you can do to tell if a health-related claim about a direct-selling product is legitimate:
- Ask for evidence to support the claim. The company should be able to provide you with scientific evidence, such as clinical trials, to support their claims.
- Be wary of testimonials. Testimonials can be misleading, as they are often from people who have been paid or given free products to endorse the product.
- Do your research. Look for independent reviews of the product and the company.
- If you are still unsure about a health-related claim about a direct-selling product, you can contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA is responsible for regulating the safety and efficacy of medical devices and drugs. The FDA can also provide information about potential scams and fraudulent products.
References
- DSSRC Recommends Zilis Discontinue Health-Related Claims: https://bbbprograms.org/media-center/dd/zilis-health-claims
- Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC): https://bbbprograms.org/programs/all-programs/dssrc/ccd
