Buyer Beware! Fake news and False news.
Upfront notice: This is an Educational Newsletter and NOT a Marketing Newsletter! "Our template contains a link to our website, but that is not intended for marketing purposes in this edition.
I never thought I would have to write such a direct and forthright article about ethics and the declining ethics in the medicinal mushroom industry. Sadly, conditions have changed and are continuing to change because the market is being flooded with large organized influencers, sometimes backed by off-shore investors who recently saw the US market as a ripe plum to pick.. Regardless of the sources, we want to protect our customers from being mislead or confused. In discussions this week with two of our loyal customers who were "trying" store brands because of perceived lower price, we found that they were confused by the simple fact that the product bags of the competitor were smaller and would yield much less product. Of course a true comparison shows that their product is actually higher priced than Ma' Cline's Coffee. Yes, a bag if Ma' Cline's Coffee Bags yields 55 cups of coffee, the competition yields 30 cups.
But much worse is the "Medical Claims" abuses which are a violation of Federal Law. No company can make medical claims without specific clinical studies that prove that the claim is supported by scientific research. See the photo which was produced by a screenshot today from Facebook. "No More Joint Pain" circled in green, implies a removal of joint pain, a medical condition. This is illegal. My question is that if this blatant violation is present, then what other violations might also be present. Unfortunately, you, our beloved customers, can be easily fooled by such practices.
Background: Medicinal Mushroom use started in Asia thousands of centuries ago with foraging for royal families.. Eventually they began to become cultivated and currently are cultivated in many countries including the USA. There are a variety of growing and processing methods, but ALL Asian mushrooms are grown in the open atmosphere exposed to pollution with heavy metals in the atmosphere in places where leaded gasoline is still sold. There is currently no ban on the export of these tainted mushrooms to USA but some companies are required to put a lead warning on their products. Contaminated mushrooms cannot detoxify the body of heavy metals to the full extent of those that have been manufactured in doors in filtered air because they are partially full already.
Where are they sourced?
In the produce market we are accustomed to seeing labels that say "Product of Mexico" Product of Ecuador, Product of Peru, but the source of medicinal mushrooms is rarely stated on the product label. Our mushrooms are all produced in FDA approved, USDA ?organic facilities in the USA.
How much is in the product?
Abuses include no statement of the amount of mushrooms in a product for example: "contains Ganoderma" tell nothing about the amount, country of origin, the purity, etc.
How much is enough? How much is too much?
Dosage, or the amount per serving, has become a marketing ploy or strategy. When we first started in the industry, companies were REDUCING the amount per serving to cheat the consumer and make more profit. Ma' Cline's Coffee was formed because we disagreed with practices where the consumer was paying for something that wasn't enough to help them, or wasn't there at all! Some companies "beefed up" the dosage in the early years and decreased the concentration later resulting in harm to many consumers. Ma' Cline's Coffee was the first company to institute a standardized amount of mushroom powder per serving and to disclose exactly how much was included in each cup. For us, ethics and accountability are more valuable than profits.
Guarantees and Business Practices, the BBB rating. Some companies offer a 30 day guarantee. Ma' Cline's Coffee's products are 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed with N?O expiration date.
Customer Service Issues. Subscription models are becoming common because the regular consistent use of mushrooms is part of their ability to detoxify. However complaints about abusive subscription programs, difficulty cancelling, problems adjusting the frequency are rising. The BBB (Better Business Bureau) is getting complaints about these unethical practices. Some have referred to companies that practice this as "Subscription scams" or "Subscription Mills" where the intent is a financial one as opposed to a health provider one.
How Ma' Cline's Coffee is different.
- We have never used Asian Mushrooms, even as a filler with USA grown mushrooms. We never use fillers of any kind. We receive a certified lab analysis of purity for every batch we purchase.
- Whenever we see a less expensive product, we suspect that Asian mushrooms are being used, potentially contaminated with lead.
- We have personally inspect our grower facilities on may occasions to audit quality control, cleanliness, anti-contamination standards, and to make sure that they comply with the high standards of Ma' Cline's Coffee
- We closely supervise and audit our own production operations to protect the purity and potency of our raw materials, all the way to our consu,ers.
- We offer a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee that does not expire! Some brands offer a 30 day guarantee with a limited warranty. We believe in our products.
- Dosage: Our recommended dosage came from established health professionals who suggest 1,500 mg per day is sufficient and safe. We put 500mg in a cup of coffee and each capsule. Putting 2000mg in a cup of coffee and suggesting more cups per day than a cup per day might be too large an amount for people beginning with mushrooms and could cause adverse reactions.
In summary, stick with a proven leader in quality, purity, and value. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.
Contact Robert directly at 949-728-8420 robert@maclinescoffee.com with comments and questions. Always here to give personal assistance. It is simply who we are.