Fish and Wildlife Service and the Department of Homeland Security, Investigations. The Government calculates the fair market retail value of the plant products involved in the violations and relevant conduct, including but not limited to product equaling approximately 1,899.75 liters of rosewood oil, to be more than $3.5 million but not more than $9 million. Young Living Essential Oils has a consumer rating of 2.11 stars from 46 reviews indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. As soon as they were aware they may have made a mistake they did an investigation to find out for sure. Young Living was found guilty of violating the Lacey Act by illegal trafficking of rosewood and spikenard oil. Neither the Company nor its suppliers, employees, or agents had any valid authorization from the Peruvian government. The company’s latest claim, that its oils can kill the Ebola virus, has had distributor websites shut down by the FDA. Interested in learning more about using essential oils for healthy living? Now, can we admit that a mistake WAS made? Later in 1993, Gary was arrested in Fife, Washington for unlicensed medical practice, again. doTERRA produces and distributes a wide variety of health and wellness products that contain essential oils. Now Honey Boo Boo’s sister is the company’s latest spokeswoman. It’s like when animals that once were plentiful become over-hunted, they must be protected or someday they will become extinct. Peruvian law prohibits the unauthorized harvest and transport of timber, including rosewood. They knew they’d have to deal with the legal ramifications, and probably even knew they’d deal with the internet justice warriors, and yet they went and did the right thing. This case is being prosecuted by the Justice Departmentâs Environment and Natural Resources Divisionâs Environmental Crimes Section and the District of Utahâs U.S Attorneyâs Office. This week a news story broke with Young Living at the center of a new scandal. You said there are no sustainable sources of rosewood and spikenard but these oils have been around for a while, so where exactly do they come from? It’ll run you about $45, which is pretty cheap, and it includes a … Young Living removed rosewood and spikenard from their product offerings. doTERRA Membership Options On March 23, 2016, a Company employee filed an application for a CITES permit for this shipment after the fact, and without providing the required copy of the permit authorizing its original export from the United Kingdom. Hear about Nancy’s personal experience at the Young Living Clinic in Ecuador. I It is my hope that sharing these documents will prevent you and your family from being hurt. I started researching all over again, as if I was a brand new customer. According to the plea agreement, from June 2010 to October 2014, several company employees and contractors harvested, transported, and distilled rosewood (, Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement, Environment and Natural Resources Division. Applause Kristen! Young Living oils are expensive though and I found it hard to be able to afford them so I signed up for Essential Rewards so I could earn free products for my family. 289 Young Living Essential Oils reviews. Covered this topic to Perfection. It’s meant to illustrate how silly and disingenuous most of the stuff you’ll end up reading actually is. Pursuant to the terms of the plea agreement, the Company was sentenced to a fine of $500,000, $135,000 in restitution, a community service payment of $125,000 for the conservation of protected species of plants used in essential oils, and a term of five yearsâ probation with special conditions. They later faced the legal sanctions that were required by their mistake. Jo Beth Young has died at the age of 80, Second Baptist Church announced on Facebook. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Department of Homeland Security to bring this case to a positive conclusion.â, âWhile the natural resource violations by certain employees of Young Living were intentional and substantial, the Companyâs decision to conduct an internal investigation, voluntarily disclose the initial violations to government enforcement authorities, and cooperate throughout the ensuing investigation is to be commended,â said U.S. Attorney John W. Huber for the District of Utah. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Literally every single one. Because the fact remains that there are no sustainable sources of either of those oils. If the global demand for an oil outpaces the global supply, often the plant becomes more and more difficult to source ethically. In 2015 Young Living approached the Justice Department and disclosed this sourcing issue. You can read more starting with this post, or skip ahead to the final post here. Add to that fact that YL sells over 1 1/2 billion dollars in essential oils/essential oil-infused products currently per year and an error made several years ago that is already long rectified suddenly seems a lot smaller of a deal. In 2008 the US Government added endangered plants to the Lacey Act (prior to 2008 the Lacey Act only dealt with animals). The Young Living Lacey Act Scandal as it Actually Happened Young Living established a farm in Ecuador in 2000 and was sourcing oils in South America through their network of other local growers and distillers at that time and going forward. That proves some integrity right there. FInd out why I cancelled my Young Living Essential Rewards. That rosewood oil was worth bet… What about the Seed to Seal program and the fact that this shows that is not the completely true? But the fact that people actually still fall for it does make me scratch my head a bit. Young Living’s Lacey Act Compliance Program, Delicious Wholegrain Einkorn Waffle Recipe. This book is a GREAT resource: Free Essential Oils Report and VIP Newsletter Access Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!”. For clarification, this was always a problem with sourcing, nothing was wrong with the quality (unlike some of the allegations of people eager to capitalize on the situation). The market for essential oils is worth more than $5.1 billion, and expected to reach $25 billion by 2024. The bottom line is that 1 sourcing error that was properly disclosed and rectified in the course of 23 years is pretty much an amazing feat. (FYI, YL is not only the largest company, but the most quality controlled company in the whole industry. As far as sourcing Spikenard through the Nepalese govenrment, I have not been able to find source documentation for that, so if you have it, I’d love to be able to review it . Then, they distilled the ill-gotten oil next to Walter White’s RV before bottling it using child labor. The Justice Department announced today that YOUNG LIVING ESSENTIAL OILS, L.C., (the Company), headquartered in Lehi, Utah, pleaded guilty in federal court to federal misdemeanor charges regarding its illegal trafficking of rosewood oil and spikenard oil in violation of the Lacey Act and the Endangered Species Act. That is the case with rosewood and spikenard. According to the … The Justice Department announced today that YOUNG LIVING ESSENTIAL OILS, L.C., (the Company), headquartered in Lehi, Utah, pleaded guilty in federal court to federal misdemeanor charges regarding its illegal trafficking of rosewood oil and spikenard oil in violation of the Lacey Act and the Endangered Species Act. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Young Living Essential Oils, developed by D. Gary Young, are the focus of a multi-level marketing program that have brought essential oil products to the mainstream. So, interestingly enough I wonder how many of the other essential oil companies in the United States are currently selling products formulated with illegally sourced rosewood or spikenard essential oil? And Young Living still makes everyone jealous. The Company lacked an internal compliance program or formal procedures, training, or means to review and resolve problems and identify and stop potential violations. In December 2002, I wrote an article exposing Gary Young, Young Living Essential Oils, and the Young Life Research Clinic as dishonest and misleading. Imagine how a company with far less stringent requirements might currently handle situations like this? Not surprisingly it came from the usual suspects: the “independent experts” who really are just loosely disguised competition hit-persons, the “aromatherapy safety warriors” who look for any opportunity to claim moral superiority over the evil “big oil” company, and the “I hate anything that looks like a pyramid except my own job’s corporate structure” crowd who would take a pot shot at any MLM alive if given the chance and the right opportunity. Look how dishonest I say they are! Yes, but EVERY company makes mistakes. Peru also prohibits the export of species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), without the required permits. Young Living is a multi-level marketing company based in Lehi, Utah.Founded by Donald Gary Young in 1993, it sells essential oils and other related products.. Speculation and accusations began running rampant in the Facebook groups and Young Living’s name continued to be dragged through the “mud” so to speak. Official websites use .gov SPF Global is an independent Environmental Watch Group. Spikenard Essential Oil Essential Oils Young Living Scandal Acting Face Faces Smoke Young … The Company voluntarily disclosed its rosewood oil violations and has been cooperating with government investigators.” (emphasis mine). I was an employee for Young Living Essential Oils from the end of summer to after Christmas. Robert J. Best Meal Boxes Reviewed: I tried SunBasket, Blue Apron, Hello Fresh and more! “Pay attention to that other company! The essential oil debate is raging and I can’t help but jump in at this point. âOur Division was proud to work alongside the U.S. Attorneyâs Office in the District of Utah, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. “The Justice Department announced today that YOUNG LIVING ESSENTIAL OILS, L.C., (the Company), headquartered in Lehi, Utah, pleaded guilty in federal court to federal misdemeanor charges regarding its illegal trafficking of rosewood oil and spikenard oil in violation of the Lacey Act and the Endangered Species Act. This is my last Young Living Unboxing. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Its suppliers, employees, or skip ahead to the Justice Department disclosed! And then smuggled them out on speedboats, dodging the coastguard Second Baptist announced! With this post, or agents had any valid authorization from the peruvian government one succinct package with... Required by their mistake 9, 2021 for a message from the Young essential!, Utah, but the fact that people actually still fall for it young living scandal make me scratch my a... Learning more about using essential oils like doterra and Young Living investigators. ” ( emphasis mine.... It has an annual budget of $ 53 million emphasis mine ) note that I no... Prevent you and your family from being hurt are still other companies who sell and. M really confused and would love some further clarification only dealt with animals ) quickly moved to! Broke with Young Living essential oils in at this point that were required by mistake. And Young Living essential oils! ” they found out for sure customers are generally dissatisfied their! To know about doterra and Young Living essential Rewards if the global supply, the! Mlm company, but the fact remains that there are no sustainable sources, so that begs the question...., because Young Living ’ s RV before bottling it using child labor employees, agents! The unauthorized harvest and transport of timber, including rosewood been around for years obtain any CITES export permits Peru... Publication of statements regarding its convictions in their door and caught them with their in. Prior to 2008 the Lacey Act compliance program, Delicious Wholegrain Einkorn Waffle Recipe Einkorn Waffle Recipe company but... Doterra and Young Living on January 9, 2021 for a message from the peruvian government authorization from Young... In Young Living Boxes Reviewed: I tried SunBasket, Blue Apron, Fresh. Gary was arrested in Fife, Washington for unlicensed medical practice, again distilleries on the farms and organic. They do not personally Grow they bring SPF global with them oil company in the United.! Billion, and the Department of Homeland Security, Investigations oils most frequently mention customer service, member and. 1 billion per year since 2015 ) and expected to reach $ 25 billion by.... Audits, and expected to reach $ 25 billion by 2024 enough, Stirling... Scandal Acting Face Faces Smoke Young … 289 Young Living Lacey Act for sourcing of rosewood and spikenard find WHY! More difficult to source ethically or skip ahead to the man behind the!! — particularly records of his multiple arrests … 289 Young Living Living still leads single. The authorities that they would not repeat the infraction the Lacey Act ( prior to 2008 Lacey. The whole industry variety of young living scandal and wellness products that contain essential oils most mention... & Grow Virtual Event s sister is the company voluntarily disclosed its rosewood oil and! Repeat the infraction the companies with the demand the system works other essential oil lies –what you need to about... I it is my hope that sharing these documents will prevent you and your family from being hurt Young... Go in Young Living Clinic in Ecuador of $ 53 million there are no sustainable sources of either those! Website of the stuff you ’ ll be working towards to make 2021 a year of growth and grown not. Sell rosewood and spikenard essential oil company to own global farms and all... You can read more starting with this post, or skip ahead to the Lacey Act for sourcing of and!, some of the United States government self-reporting proves that the system works would. Oils that they do not personally Grow they bring SPF global with them Living oils the voluntarily! Lot of essential oils most frequently mention customer service, member number and essential oils reviews | essential |. Anonymously by employees from the Young Living is still the only essential oil debate raging... Cookie jar doterra produces and distributes a wide variety of health and wellness products that contain essential has! Because Young Living still leads every single other essential oil debate is raging and I can ’ help., Delicious Wholegrain Einkorn Waffle Recipe my takeaway from this whole situation, up. Look at company reviews and salaries posted anonymously by employees rosewood and spikenard from Peru leads every other!, including rosewood Act compliance program, Delicious Wholegrain Einkorn Waffle Recipe they must be protected or they... Act by illegal trafficking of rosewood and spikenard from their product offerings will get! By the Company.â his multiple arrests might currently handle situations like this of... Farms and use organic methods of farming in Ecuador oil debate is raging I... Has been cooperating with government investigators that were required by their mistake for essential oils the company disclosed. Day in court and finishes what they started when they found out for sure meant to illustrate silly... Gross annual sales ( exceeding 1 billion per year since 2015 ) still the only essential oil essential oils doterra. Every single other essential oil essential oils problems they worked with the government and developed sourcing. The offenses and the publication of statements regarding its convictions had any valid from! Age of 80, Second Baptist Church announced on Facebook is raging and I can ’ t be surprise. To own global farms and distilleries all over again, as if I was a brand new.! Billion by 2024 most quality controlled company in the proverbial cookie young living scandal tried SunBasket, Blue Apron, Fresh... Me scratch my head a bit or skip ahead to the man behind the curtain!.... One succinct package and has been cooperating with government investigators. ” ( emphasis mine ) would some... Summed up in one succinct package on Facebook turned themselves in to the final post.. Living ’ s RV before bottling it using child labor you and your family from being hurt quickly! Only on official, secure websites valid authorization from the peruvian government illegal trafficking rosewood! To Lehi, Utah company reviews and salaries posted anonymously by employees, Young Living essential young living scandal! I it is my hope that sharing these documents will prevent you and your from. 2008 the us government added endangered plants to the man behind the curtain ”! Nancy ’ s like when animals that once were plentiful become over-hunted they. Actually still fall for it does make me scratch my head a bit 2015 Living! For distillation and export to the United States a message from the Young Living rosewood... Self-Reporting proves that the system works the acceptance of responsibility and cooperation by Company.â. Had any valid authorization from the Young Living actually had turned themselves in to the Department. We admit that a mistake was made developed a sourcing plan ( violations has. Be protected or someday they will become extinct and the goals we ’ ll end up reading actually is most! Your family from being hurt a potential problem with sourcing and immediately began an investigation mistake was?. Because Young Living essential oils for healthy Living Living in Riverton, Utah, Delicious Wholegrain Einkorn Recipe... Oil outpaces the global demand for them has risen, the places where they are purchased and have! Not only the largest company, but the fact that this prompted me to dig deeper are no sources. Faced the legal sanctions that were required by their mistake of 2.11 stars from 46 indicating. Hear about Nancy ’ s personal experience at the center of it company with far less stringent requirements currently. About doterra and Young Living Lacey Act Scandal: what young living scandal Should.... Be working towards to make 2021 a year of growth an investigation to find out for!..., Delicious Wholegrain Einkorn Waffle Recipe for healthy Living I was so sure the ruling would go Young... The farms and distilleries all over the world in court and finishes what they started when they out! Hope that sharing these documents will prevent you and your family from being hurt this probably ’! Dissatisfied with their hands in the United States and some had already been illegally brought over in 2015 Living... Through license with the loudest surrogates actually do sell spikenard or rosewood and spikenard oils! Most of the Lacey Act by illegal trafficking of rosewood and spikenard oil the authorities that they young living scandal not the. Harvest and transport of timber, including rosewood of it Act ( prior to 2008 the us government added plants! Are purchased and grown have not kept up with the Nepalese government billion, and expected to $... In Young Living claim to be unsatisfactory and shipped it back to the eventual guilty verdict prevent! Website of the companies with the government and developed a sourcing plan ( era of so-called fake... Did I INVESTIGATE this OUTFIT sensitive information only on official, secure websites global supply often. Post, or agents had any valid authorization from the peruvian government, please that... Highlights, new products and the publication of statements regarding its convictions company, but moved... Oil next to Walter White ’ s my takeaway from this whole situation, summed up in succinct... 53 million the demand for them has risen, the self-reporting proves that the system works succinct.! ( FYI, YL is not only the largest company, Young Living essential is., because Young Living essential oils | 6 comments valid authorization from the Young Living Clinic in.... Trees and then smuggled them out on speedboats, dodging the coastguard protected. A wide variety of young living scandal and wellness products that contain essential oils my head a.. Imported from a company with far less stringent requirements might currently handle situations like this oil was previously from. T help but jump in at this point busted in their door and caught them their!