XanGo is a name closely associated with the fruit mangosteen. XanGo LLC based its empire on the success of XanGo Juice. It has since expanded its product line to include dietary supplements, skin care, and bath and body products. XanGo is a name that's extremely easy to find because of the large number of multilevel marketers that sell the products for commission online.
Xango, LLC.
XanGo, based in Levi, Utah, was formed in 2001 by the company's six founders, Bryan Davis, Aaron Garrity, Gary Hollister, Gordon Morton, Joe Morton and Kent Wood. According to the manufacturer's website, XanGo, was "founded on the vision that it's 'safe to dream again' " after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the United States. As of December 2010, XanGo did business in the U.S. and in some 30 international markets.
Xango and Mangosteen
XanGo's flagship product is Xango Juice, which contains mangosteen fruit. In a report titled "Super Fruit -- Squeezing Cold Cash Out of Three Hot Juices, the Center for Science in the Public Interest cited mangosteen -- along with noni and pomegranate -- as one of three exotic and costly fruit juices that pique consumer's interest. According to the CSPI, XanGo's mangosteen juice contains antioxidants that purportedly neutralize free radicals, enhance the functioning of your digestive system and boost your immune system, among other claims made by the company. in December 2010, the retail price of a 25 oz. bottle of XanGo juice cost around $70 or $188 for a pack of four.
Other Products
XanGo has expanded to include Glimpse, a line of mangosteen-based skin-care products and Juni hair and bath products. XanGo also markets Eleviv, a natural herbal supplement; XANGO 3SIXTY5, a multivitamin; and Mangosteen Pericarp Oil, an ointment that contains mangosteen.
Distribution
XanGo uses a multilevel marketing technique to sell products. According to the manufacturer, as of December 2010, Xango had 1 million independent distributors, many of whom sell Xango products through their own websites. XanGo products cannot be purchased directly through the company website. You can purchase them from a XanGo distributor or by wholesale by becoming a "preferred customer."
XanGo Problems
XanGo LLC came under fire by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2006 for promoting its mangosteen juice as a way to prevent, treat and cure disease. For example, XanGo claimed that its juice prevented atherosclerosis, served as an anti-depressant and caused weight loss, to name a few of several claims. These claims placed Xango in violation of the federal Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The FDA, which obtained marketing brochures at a XanGo recruiting seminar, threatened enforcement action, including seizure or injunction of XanGo products, if the company didn't take steps to address the problem. The CSPI notes that XanGo now makes "structure or function" claims, eschewing mention of specific diseases.
Fun Facts
Between 2005 and 2010, XanGo LLC contributed $46,200 to the campaign committee of Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah), coming in second only to Blue Cross/Blue Shield, which contributed $50,603.
References
- Xango.Com: Company FAQ
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: XanGo International (Letter)
- Center for Science in the Public Interest: Super Fruit-Squeezing Cold Cash Out of Three Hot Juices
- American Cancer Society: Mangosteen Juice
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Mangosteen
- OpenSecrets.Org: Senator Orrin G. Hatch 2005-2010-Top 20 Contributors
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