Founded in 1980, Herbalife Ltd. (HLF) is a global nutrition company that develops and sells weight management, healthy meals and snacks, sports and fitness, energy and targeted nutritional products, and personal care products. With headquarters in Los Angeles, California, its products are marketed in over 90 countries worldwide through a network of approximately 2.3 million independent distributors, some of whom earn a profit on product sales and additional commission from a multi-level marketing (MLM) compensation structure.
Herbalife Ltd. is dedicated to improving nutritional habits around the world with its varied range of products, often customized based on regional tastes and dietary preferences. At the heart of its operations, the company aims to help people pursue a healthy, active life supported by good nutrition. The company sells protein shakes, protein snacks, nutrition, energy and fitness supplements, and personal care products.
Herbalife’s revenue primarily comes from five regions: Asia Pacific; North America; Mexico; South and Central America; and EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa). The company’s wide range of products has been developed to assist customers in achieving their health goals, whether they want to lose weight, get in shape or improve their overall wellness.
However, the company has been subject to criticism and multiple lawsuits due to its network marketing business model, commonly classified as a pyramid scheme. Herbalife Ltd. disagrees with this classification and maintains that the business model is legal. In 2016, the FTC mandated Herbalife to restructure its U.S. business operations and pay $200 million for consumer redress in response to accusations of unfair and deceptive practices.
Additionally, Herbalife supports the Herbalife Nutrition Foundation (HNF) and its Casa Herbalife programs to help bring good nutrition to children in need. The company also sponsors more than 190 world-class athletes, teams, and events around the globe, including Cristiano Ronaldo, the LA Galaxy, and numerous Olympic teams.
Despite its controversies, Herbalife Ltd. has remained a key player in the global nutrition and supplement industry. The company prides itself on its commitment to quality, scientific research that backs up its products, and its strategic approach to nutrition that helps customers manage weight, enhance fitness, and improve their overall health.