Herbalife

Herbalife Nutrition Ltd., commonly referred to as Herbalife, is a global nutrition company that develops, markets, and sells weight-management, sports nutrition, and personal care products through a network of independent distributors. Its product lines include meal replacement shakes, protein powders, vitamins and minerals, hydration products, energy drinks, and skincare items. The company uses a multi-level marketing model in which independent distributors purchase products from Herbalife and sell them to customers, and may recruit additional distributors to earn commissions on sales throughout their downlines.

Founded in 1980 by Mark Hughes in California, Herbalife expanded internationally and established a presence in many countries. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles and is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker HLF. It operates in dozens of markets with a large network of independent distributors.

In 2016, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission charged Herbalife with operating a pyramid-like compensation structure. Herbalife settled the matter by agreeing to restructure its marketing plan, strengthen compliance, and pay up to $200 million in restitution and penalties. The company emphasizes that its products are sold to consumers rather than primarily to distributors. The long-term outcomes of the case included oversight of business practices under an FTC order and ongoing scrutiny by regulators in some markets.

Herbalife maintains philanthropic programs such as the Herbalife Family Foundation and Casa Herbalife to support nutrition-related charitable initiatives and education.