FTC Takes Action Against Three doTERRA Distributors Over COVID-19 Health Claims
The Federal Trade Commission said the Department of Justice filed lawsuits on the FTC's behalf against three current and former high-level doTERRA International distributors for claiming the company's essential oils and dietary supplements could treat, prevent or cure COVID-19. The defendants are Eliza Johnson Bacot, Lauren Busch and Dr. Tina Wong, who allegedly made the claims in early 2022 webinars while touting medical expertise.
Each defendant agreed to court orders barring unfounded COVID-19 claims unless FDA-approved, requiring reliable scientific support for other disease and health claims, and paying a 15,000 dollar civil penalty. The Commission vote to authorize the referrals and approve the proposed consent decrees was 4-0.
The actions target the individual Wellness Advocates rather than doTERRA International itself. doTERRA is a Utah-based multilevel marketer of essential oils; the Npros directory lists the related name DoTerra Earth Essence.
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