Company with Inegrity

Here are some examples that proved to me this was a company with integrity.

1. In 1998 Ginseng was the #4 best-seller for Shaklee Corporation. Due to a wet growing season in China, a cancer causing fungicide was used that is banned in the U.S.   Shaklee discovered the fungicide because they test all of the raw ingredients they purchase.  I discovered this is very unusual in the food supplement industry, as it is not required. Fungicide contamination of ginseng was an industry wide problem. Shaklee was the only company to not manufacture this product and they did so for 1½ years.  It is believed that many companies knew this was an issue and continued to sell the product.
2. Safflower contains potent health beneficial phyto-chemicals in its flower. Shaklee wanted a reputable extractor to obtain a raw source that was pure. Again, because the company tests all raw batches, it was discovered that the safflower contained lead after the extraction process from this particular supplier.  Further investigation lead to the discovery that during the milling process the supplier was using round lead balls which were contaminating the safflower.  Many companies were using this extractor.  They now use ceramic balls due to Shaklee’s testing.
3. Echinacea, an herb that stimulates the immune system has been around a long time.  Due to Shaklee’s testing of raw ingredients, DDT was discovered in one of the Echinacea batches.  This particular batch was used all over the market.  Shaklee rejected this as a raw source for their products.  Although the U.S. is no longer a producer, we have sent DDT to developing countries.  They grow produce with DDT, which the U.S. then purchases and it ends up in our grocery stores and on our kitchen tables.  Due to this lack of testing on raw ingredients most supplement companies have no idea of what kinds of contaminants are in their products and the public unfortunately has no idea of what they are ingesting.

Shaklee has had many requests to sell melatonin - a hormone to promote sleep. I was shocked to see how common it was when I “Googled” it. Melatonin is an important hormone for the body. However, if it is taken artificially your body’s production of it turns off. This can then develop a dependency on the melatonin supplement.  It must be done under a doctor’s care, not as a supplement.