Arbonne International is a company that produces and sells various beauty, health, and wellness products. The product line includes skincare, bath and body products, hair products, makeup, and nutrition products, such as protein powders, energy drinks, and dietary supplements.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve dietary supplements in the same way that it approves drugs. Dietary supplements, such as those produced by Arbonne, are not required to be approved by the FDA before they are marketed. However, the FDA does regulate dietary supplements under a different set of regulations than those covering conventional food and drug products.
The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA) stipulates that the manufacturer of a dietary supplement is responsible for ensuring that the product is safe before it is marketed. The FDA is responsible for taking action against any unsafe dietary supplement product after it reaches the market. Thus, dietary supplements are considered safe until proven otherwise.
The FDA does not have a formal approval process for cosmetics and skincare products. Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring the safety of their own products. The FDA can, however, take action against cosmetic products on the market that do not comply with the law.
Have Consumers Experienced Problems With the 30-day Kit?
There have been some Arbonne complaints for items causing injury, as well as about the company’s customer service and business practices. For example, a customer reported that an account representative ordered $260 worth of product and charged it to their credit card without their consent. They stated that it took five days for Arbonne to refund their money, and Arbonne deleted their account despite having nine months left on it. This led to the customer having to cancel their credit card.
Another customer reported that their experience with Arbonne’s marketing practices led to personal and financial loss, as well as damaged relationships.
On the other hand, there are positive reviews about the products themselves. Some customers have reported that the products improved their skin and gut health significantly and that they were satisfied with their purchases.
As for the 30-day kits, reviews, and experiences are also mixed. One reviewer was initially hesitant about the program due to its cost but decided to try it out due to the unique variety of products and potential health benefits it claimed to offer. These benefits include improved sleep, stabilized blood sugar, improved digestion, and sometimes weight loss.
The program involves excluding certain foods and drinks from your diet, such as wheat, gluten, yeast, dairy, sugar, artificial sweeteners, alcohol, coffee, vinegar, and soy. Instead, participants have two shakes a day with snacks and one full meal and can drink a couple of energy fizz sticks, detox tea, and a few other supplements throughout the day.
One reviewer reported that the first three days were great, and they were impressed with how full the shakes made them feel. However, they got sick with a sore throat on the fourth day, which they didn’t attribute to the program, and were able to resume it once they got better.
Interestingly, the reviewer, who had been experiencing migraines since childhood, noticed that they didn’t have a single migraine or headache since starting the program. They speculated it could be due to the changes in their diet or increased physical activity.
In 2013, an Indiana woman initiated a lawsuit regarding herbal supplements in the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Indiana. She claimed that after consuming the herbal supplement for about six weeks, she experienced fatigue and jaundice. Subsequently, she was diagnosed with acute liver failure, alleging that the liver damage resulted from excessive consumption of green tea extracts contained in the supplements.
Additionally, there have been reports linking Arbonne products to various side effects and health concerns, primarily related to stomach and digestive problems. These can manifest as bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, gas, constipation, and other related issues. In some cases, prolonged usage of these products may lead to lasting damage to the digestive system.
What Are the Side Effects of Using Arbonne?
Arbonne products are generally well-tolerated by users. However, some individuals have reported Arbonne side effects like skin irritation or breakouts, especially for those with sensitive skin or allergies to specific ingredients.
Arbonne’s nutrition products, like protein powders or detox teas, can have a range of side effects. These could include digestive issues such as bloating, gas, upset stomach, or diarrhea. Some people might also have allergic reactions to the ingredients in these products. Excessive consumption of certain nutritional supplements can also lead to issues like vitamin or mineral imbalances.
Similar to skincare products, cosmetics can cause irritation, dryness, or allergic reactions. In rare cases, they might also cause breakouts or negatively impact eye health (in the case of eye makeup).
What Are Arbonne Lawsuits Based On?
Several lawsuits for monetary damages awards have been filed against Arbonne over the years, some of which were related to their MLM business model. For instance, in 2017, a class-action lawsuit was filed alleging that Arbonne was operating as an illegal pyramid scheme, with consultants making money primarily from recruiting new members rather than selling products. The lawsuit also claimed that the company’s compensation plan incentivized consultants to purchase more inventory to maintain their status within the company.
In 2020, Arbonne was accused by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of making deceptive income claims to promote its MLM program. The FTC stated that Arbonne misrepresented the amount of income its distributors could reasonably expect to earn. However, the company denied all these charges.
Despite these lawsuits, Arbonne continues to operate and sell its products. The company reported $600 million in net sales for 2022, with a majority of these sales coming from the United States.
Most lawsuits have focused on Arbonne’s business model rather than product recall or design defects.
However, as with any legal matter, the situation can evolve over time. For the most recent information, please consider researching court records, news sources, or the FDA’s recall database. Always make sure to verify the information from reliable sources.
To get up-to-date information about any ongoing or resolved lawsuits or product recalls, you could try contacting Arbonne’s customer service or consult the company’s official website or press releases. For official legal documents, you might need to go to a library or use a legal document database, many of which are available online. If any of the lawsuits involve publicly traded companies, the information might be found in the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings.
Should I Contact an Attorney if I Am Harmed by Arbonne?
If you believe you have been harmed by an Arbonne product, consult with a personal injury lawyer. They can provide legal advice specific to your situation and help you understand your rights and options.
Personal injury attorneys handle cases where a person has been injured or harmed due to the negligence of another party, which can include companies that manufacture or sell defective products. If you’ve suffered a serious injury or adverse health effects, an attorney can guide you through the process of seeking compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses.
LegalMatch is a platform that can connect you with a personal injury attorney. You simply submit your case online, and LegalMatch will match you with attorneys in your local area who are equipped to handle your specific legal issue.
Remember, it’s important to keep all documentation related to your use of the product and any harm you’ve suffered. This documentation can include medical records, receipts for the product, and any correspondence with the company. This evidence will be helpful in building your case if you decide to pursue legal action.
