Isagenix
| File:Isagenix International logo.png | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Dietary supplements, multi-level marketing |
| Founded | April 2002 |
| Headquarters | , US |
Area served | United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Malaysia, Colombia, Indonesia, South Korea, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain |
Key people | Jim Coover, founder Kathy Coover, founder John Anderson, founder |
| Website | 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.[1][2] As of 2013 the company reported having over 200,000 active sales associates. In 2016, the company reported revenues of approximately $924.3 million.[3] According to Isagenix, the company employed 850 people as of 2017.[4] Isagenix entered Europe in 2017, and currently is expanding further into the continent, where two new subsidiary companies (Spain and Belgium) started their activity in the summer of 2018. [5]
Physician Harriet Hall, writing in the Skeptical Inquirer in 2011, said that many of the claims made about the products are false.[6] The Australian consumer organization CHOICE reported that Isagenix’s claims about its "nutritional cleansing" product are scientifically unsupported; that its weight loss products are similar in content to much cheaper store-bought alternatives; and that its MLM distributors provided unauthorized medical advice.[7]
History
Isagenix was founded by John Anderson and Jim and Kathy Coover in 2002.[8] Anderson had previously worked in the nutritional supplement industry and Jim and Kathy Coover had experience in the multi-level marketing industry.[8] Jim Coover is chief executive officer, company president, and chairman. Kathy Coover is the company's executive vice president.[9]
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.[10][11] The recall was voluntarily issued by the company, on FDA recommendations. No cases of illness were reported.[12]
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.[13]
Products and business model
Using a multi-level marketing model,[6][14][15][16][13][17] Isagenix sells dietary supplement products such as protein shakes, weight loss supplements, and diet snacks and meals, as well as cosmetics. The company also sells "Financial Wellness" product bundles to their multi-level marketing distributors.[18] Distributors are required to actively recruit new members to earn money.[17] The company's promotional materials highlight people earning more than $100k per month; however, most distributors earn less than 500 dollars per year.[7]
Physician Harriet A. Hall published a lengthy critique of Isagenix products in Skeptical Enquirer, 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.[6]
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.[7]
References
- ^ "Isagenix International". Inc.com. Retrieved 2017-07-14.
- ^ "Isagenix International, LLC: Private Company Information - Bloomberg". Investing.businessweek.com. Retrieved 2017-07-14.
- ^ "Isagenix Competitors, Revenue and Employees - Owler Company Profile". Owler. Retrieved 2018-08-23.
- ^ "Isagenix International". Supply Chain World. Retrieved 2018-09-06.
- ^ "Isagenix Expands European Presence With Spain and Belgium Launches". Isagenix Expands European Presence With Spain and Belgium Launches. Retrieved 2018-11-22.
- ^ a b c Hall, Harriet (January–February 2011). "Defending Isagenix: A Case Study in Flawed Thinking". Skeptical Inquirer. 35 (1). Retrieved November 20, 2017.
- ^ a b c Browne, Kate (29 January 2015). "Isagenix under the microscope". Choice magazine. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
- ^ a b "Hoover's Company Records - In-depth Records: Isagenix International, LLC". Hoover's. May 23, 2014.
- ^ "Isagenix Founders". Isagenix.com. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
- ^ "Peanut Products Recall". Web.archive.org. Archived from the original on 2011-08-25. Retrieved 2017-07-13.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "More Tests For Salmonella In Peanuts Urged". CBS News.com. 11 February 2009.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-11-25. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ a b >"The Man Who Would Stop Time". Popular Science Magazine. 20 September 2018.
- ^ "The skinny on Isagenix". Sydney Morning Herald. January 29, 2015. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
- ^ Browne, Kate (March 14, 2017). "Lose weight, make money?". Choice. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
- ^ Chung, Frank (January 31, 2015). "Don't mention the 'P' word". News.com.au. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
- ^ a b Carstensen, Melinda (January 20, 2016). "Facebook users recruit friends for diet, supplement programs — but is it legit?". Fox News. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
- ^ "Isagenix Product Catalog (U.S.)". Isagenix International. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
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