Balance of Nature’ ‘Fruits’ and ‘Veggies’ Supplements

“I feel great with Balance of Nature, I’m going to take it for the rest of my life,” says the happy customer in this TV ad for the company’s “Fruits” and “Veggies” supplements.

According to his “personal success story,” the supplements provide the same benefits of fruits and vegetables without the fear of wasting money on produce that expires and has to be thrown out.

And if you’re looking for a little extra push to ditch the greens, Balance of Nature offers a deal for 35% off your first purchase as a “preferred customer” (a term the ad doesn’t define).

But before you make a lifelong commitment to taking these supplements, you should take a closer look at this deal because it may leave you feeling pretty rotten.

In order to receive the discount, consumers signing up online must submit their email address on the Balance of Nature website, which doesn’t advertise 35% off but 30% off.

Next, consumers are prompted to enter their cellphone number and consent to receiving “marketing text messages (e.g. promos, cart reminders) from Balance of Nature.”

It’s not until multiple steps later that consumers find out that in order to receive the advertised discount, they must pay a one-time fee of $24.95 to enroll in a “preferred customer” membership program that ships out additional products every month.

And when consumers finally get to the page asking to enter a discount code, they might find that the one in the TV ad – “SAVE” – doesn’t work (iSpot.tv confirmed to TINA.org that the ad is still airing).

According to Balance of Nature, you can cancel your subscription “anytime” through various methods, including by: following a link in the order confirmation email, managing your subscription through your account or calling customer service.

However, despite the company’s claims regarding easy cancellation, a number of consumers have complained to the BBB about not being able to get out of this recurring cost, along with reports of the company charging them for unauthorized orders.

Balance of Nature did not respond to a TINA.org request for comment.

Of note

Balance of Nature was the subject of a previous TINA.org legal action for making deceptive claims that taking its “Fruits” and “Veggies” supplements could prevent and help treat the coronavirus by boosting a person’s immune system. And in 2023, the company was ordered to halt production and sales as a result of a lawsuit brought by the Department of Justice on behalf of the FDA accusing the company of deceptively advertising the supplements as able to prevent, treat or cure diseases including cancer, COVID-19, diabetes, heart disease, asthma and cirrhosis.

The bottom line

Be wary of discount offers that might trap you into a subscription with recurring payments for products you don’t want.

For more of TINA.org’s coverage on recurring payment plans, click here.