Hmmm, somewhat surprising that people from Utah would get involved in selling caffeinated beverages, being that I went to school with many good Mormons. I suppose it all depends on how one interprets the ‘word of wisdom” Whats next – vitamin enhanced chewing tobacco?

Safeway is not owned by the Mormons. It was bought by a private equity firm KKR in 86 and taken public again in 1990. I seem to remember hearing that rumor before 1990. I found a statement of benefical ownership, see http://sec.edgar-online.com/2008/04/02/0001193125-08-072906/Section7.asp The largest owner is AXA Financial with 10.9 %, followed by FMR LLC, Brandes Investment Partners, LP, and JPMorgan Chase & Co with 5.2%.

We have to be careful with rumors about who owns a public company. Remember when a letter circulated stating that Proctor and Gamble was owned by the Church of Satan, and the president appeared on the Phil Donahue show? Actually, in March 2007, Procter & Gamble was awarded $19 million in its lawsuit against four Amway distributors for disseminating rumors tying the company to Satanism.

Rumors like this can easily be refuted by plain old common sense, a little research and logic, but people just pass them on. Scammers and MLMs depend on people failing to use their critical thinking skills in a similar manner.

I was also at the convention this week and “usetherod” couldn’t be more off the mark. I am a breast cancer survivor and the USANA products have saved my life. I was skeptical of the energy drink before I tried it. I hate the taste of energy drinks and I hate the crash and burn effect you get from other energy drinks. I tried Rev 3 fully thinking that it would be disgusting and give me the shakes like everything else and it absolutely DID NOT. Before judging a company that you obviously know NOTHING about you should actually TRY the products. If you tried the products, consistently, for one-two months you would have a change of heart, too. That’s the only reason I am involved with USANA now. I tried the products and saw the change in myself. Others saw the change in me. I just want to share a wonderful product with others and improve their health. You can’t stand back and judge something that you know nothing about. It’s irresponsible.

I am guessing that the author of this diatribe is Tracy Coenen. After looking into her background what I see is nothing more than someone who lives off of sensational stories, reports and other issues that can be bashed through unfounded allegations. It is so easy to say something and then not do or provide anything to support it.

High priced, what has she done to make comparisons to other unhealthy products?

“…cult mentality…”??? I would say that she makes herself out to be the grand guru of cultism. “…Believe what I write and don’t look for any proof, just believe what I say!…”

“…If they say it gives you energy, then by golly, it gives you energy!…” I am so, SOOOOOO, glad that dear Tracy has provided us with all sorts of studies and research on how she came to this conclusion.

“…of the junk…”. Once again, dear Tracy is showing her ignorance.

“…What consumer in their right mind is going to buy this when you can get a can of Red Bull for around $2 or a can of Monster Energy Drink for $2?…”. It is amazing that Tracy wants us to believe that she is using even a bit of her intelligence. She’s comparing products that have nothing to do with each other. I think she’ll next be comparing her Lexus to someone elses Ford and telling us how crapy a Ford is because it’s not a Lexus.

“…some secret potion…”. Once again, dear Tracy shows us her stupidity and her inability to simply read. Each product comes with full disclosure of contents. So I can only surmise that Tracy is intentionally misleading or perhaps just lying here.

“…recruiting new marks who will (foolishly) get themselves on autoship of this junk…” I am laughing at her lack of any kind of intelligence. Using decades old terms (‘marks’) shows that our dear Tracy might actually be some very old disgruntled wannabe.

Tracy, in my years of being involved with USANA I have found that those people who tend to bash any company, “out of hand”, are usually people who tried and then failed in an MLM environment. Reading your trash sounds like you are a poster child for those unable to function in an otherwise good, solid and very profitable business.

I am guessing that you have no idea that there are over 300,000 members with USANA. That they provide superior products in 14 countries (now including the Philippines). And that, well, I’m sure you’ve long since stopped reading because you have already made your mind up.

I’m glad that you are no longer an Associate with USANA, your negitivity would just simply drain those of us who know the values and don’t just make unfounded statements.

So sad for you.

I just have to say to all those who attatch everything Utah to “Mormons”…..GROW UP! First there is no part of the word of wisdom that forbids caffeine, period. Some “good mormons” have taken it upon themselves to “explain” the W.O.W. by telling others that caffiene is the reason behind the coffee and tea restrictions but they are just wrong. We don’t drink those because God said not to through a prophet. Sorry if this is too churchy for you but you decided to bring the religion into this just for a little sensationalism.
Second, this is a choice that we made as part of being in the church. Do you really look down on a man who took a vow of silence who doesn’t hate everyone else who talks? We don’t think alchohol and ciggaretts are evil, just that we don’t use them. We also fast for 24 hrs once a month, are we hippocrates for eating the rest of the month?
Lastly, if you have taken you’r info about our religion from “utah mormons” you’r info has probably been tainted. They don’t have any problem with all the stuff that matters, but they tend to get caught up in the social “customes” of living in the behive state. Things start cropping up, just like rumors, like no caffiene and only wearing black socks to church…. Most of those “utah mormons” forget all this when they leave colledge and GROW UP!

I am sorry if I offended anyone but I did not start this, I just ask for a little respect in what I beleive in without others trying to spend their time spreading unfounded rumors just for a little fun. Also over half of the state is not mormon and would be a little offended if you held them to the fake word of wisdom from a church they have nothing to do with!

Ya Hi Lady,

I know this post is really really old, but I just came across it. You should not speak or write about something you obviously know nothing about. Ignorance is bliss they say!