In 2021, doTERRA was involved in two lawsuits, one alleging that the company’s essential oils caused severe burns, and the other alleging that the company’s distributors made false claims about the ability of its products to treat, prevent, or cure COVID-19.
Jessica Kruger v. doTERRA International, LLC
In 2017, Jessica Kruger, a doTERRA distributor, applied a doTERRA product to her skin before visiting a tanning salon. She was later diagnosed with second and third-degree chemical burns. Kruger sued doTERRA, alleging that the company’s product was defective and that the company failed to warn consumers about the potential dangers of its products.
In 2019, the Utah Supreme Court ruled that Kruger could pursue punitive damages against doTERRA. The court found that Kruger had presented sufficient evidence to suggest that doTERRA had acted with reckless disregard for the safety of its consumers.
The case is currently pending in trial court.
FTC v. Joseph Busch, et al.
In 2022, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed lawsuits against three current and former high-level distributors of doTERRA for making false claims about the ability of the company’s essential oils and dietary supplements to treat, prevent, or cure COVID-19.
The defendants, all current or former healthcare practitioners, made the claims in a series of webinars in early 2022 and touted their medical expertise in recommending the products.
The FTC alleged that the defendants’ claims were false and misleading, and that they violated the FTC Act and the COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act.
The defendants have agreed to court orders that prohibit them from making any claims that a product can prevent, cure, or treat COVID-19 unless the Food and Drug Administration has approved the claim.
Additional notes:
It is important to note that doTERRA is a multi-level marketing (MLM) company. MLM companies are often criticized for their predatory sales practices and for making false or exaggerated claims about their products.
Consumers should be cautious when using any product from an MLM company, and they should always do their own research before making a purchase.
References:
- doTERRA v. Kruger – Utah Supreme Court Decisions – Justia Law: https://law.justia.com/cases/utah/supreme-court/2021/20191040.html
- FTC Takes Action Against doTERRA Distributors for False COVID-19 Health Claims: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/03/ftc-takes-action-against-doterra-distributors-false-covid-19-health-claims
Sources