As most of you know who found this blog through google, Epic Network Blog has been the top search result for keywords such as Epic Network, Epic Network International, Len Clements and such.

Through happenstance my blog has been removed from google's directory. This event seems nearly personal since it is the only search engine that seems to do this. If you check Yahoo , MSN , Altavista, Dogpile (no longer number 1 thanks to google)and even the most verbos search engine alltheweb has Epic Network Blog at the top.

I've since decided that Instead of trying to figure out why, I'm going to redirect traffic to a back up blog. As you can see by the dates on previous post, I havn't needed to use the back up for some time.

I know there is not nearly as much insider Epic Network International info on this blog. However, until google pulls the spider out of thier butt, I will be updating this blog.

As you can see I mistakenly reposted a press release about Gano Excel twice.  This was in no way a means to spam my own blog.

I would also like to take a moment to once again restate why I even posted ANYTHING about Gano Excel on my blog.  I was not looking to slam Gano Excel. Because of recent changes at Gano Excel regarding their marketing plan, which includes their compensation plan, there has been a noticeable increase in Gano Excel Independent Distributors looking for an alternative.  I'm sure this has increased the distributorships of any number of MLM programs.  Epic Network International also happens to be one of those fortunate companies.

Why?  Well I guess the obvious answer is (as stated previously) Epic Network International offers a wonderful competing product called Epic Gano.

Epic Gano Coffee, which is an Instant Coffee (Black) is a delicious real coffee product with low caffeine. What makes Epic Gano so special is the addition of high quality Ganoderma Lucidum powder, an amazingly nutrition rich Red Mushroom that provides energy, helps expel toxins from the body, and gently assists in elimination. This is a type of mushroom that, when dried, takes on a hard consistency much like that of a dried coffee bean. The Ganoderma even tastes like coffee and enhances the bold, rich taste of the premium coffee beans we use in our formulation. It's easy to prepare and convenient to carry.

Epic Gano coffee competes directly with Gano Excel's Ganocafe Classic (as described from their website):

Ganocafe Classic A rich blend of nutrition and pleasant aroma come together with a taste you will fall in love with. A genuine black coffee made from our famous Brazilian coffee bean and Ganoderma extract. Spare yourself some free time and enjoy your next cup of coffee. You can even flavor our Ganocafe Classic coffee to your own personal taste.

Another product Epic Network International markets is Epic Gano Coffee (4-in-1)

Instant Epic Gano Coffee is a delicious real coffee product with low caffeine and includes non-dairy creamer and real sugar. But what makes Epic Gano so special is the addition of high quality Ganoderma Lucidum powder, an amazingly nutrition rich Red Mushroom that provides energy, helps expel toxins from the body, and gently assists in elimination. This is a type of mushroom that, when dried, takes on a hard consistency much like that of a dried coffee bean. The Ganoderma even tastes like coffee and enhances the bold, rich taste of the premium coffee beans we use in our formulation. It's easy to prepare and convenient to carry.

This product also competes directly with Gano Excel's Gano Cafe 3-in-1 (as described on thier website) 

Gano Café is a nutritious health beverage that is made from Ganoderma extract, high quality coffee, non-dairy creamer and sugar. Gano Café is the first known beverage in the world that comes in a combination of coffee and Ganoderma brought to you exclusively by Gano Excel™.

As you can see, Epic Network International and Gano Excel have both tapped into a HUGE market potential. With products so similar, it is my belief that this is why so many Gano Excel distributors have been contacting me lately.

"So, what's the deal with the press release of a recall and the warning letter?" You might ask.  Well when my phone starts ringing and emails come flowing in and they are folks from one particular company I start to wonder why.  As I stated in previous post, I simply went to google to find out any news on Gano Excel. 

Since the press release and warning letter are the top to results on google, I figured them to be relevant.  However, I should have said this... the warning letter was issued in April of 2004 and the recall press release was issued in February of 2005.

Does this mean they are not relevant?  I know for a fact the leadership at Gano Excel believe this to be true.  However, you have to admit...it doesn't help.  That being said, based on new information, I will not be making any more assumptions that these notices are the cause of the recent inflow of Gano Excel Distributors to Epic Network International.

While doing more research to discover why Gano Excel Reps Flock to Epic Network, I came across this press release.

Gano Excel USA, Inc. Issues Recall and Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk Protein
in GANO CAFE 3-IN-1, GANO CAFE GINSENG TONGKAT ALI, and GANO C'REAL SPIRULINA
OATS

Contact:

Andy Nakashima

(626) 480-7550

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE --Irwindale, CA -- February 17, 2005 --- GANO EXCEL USA,
in Irwindale, CA is recalling GANO CAFE 3-IN-1, GANOCAFE GINSENG TONGKAT ALI,
and GANO C'REAL SPIRULINA OATS due to undeclared milk products. People
who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk proteins run the risk of serious
or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume these products.

GANO CAFE 3-IN-1, GANOCAFE GINSENG TONGKAT ALI, and GANO

C'REAL SPIRULINA OATS have been sold person-to-person by Independent
Gano Excel(tm) Distributors throughout the United States and Canada.

The products affected are as follows:

1. GANO CAFE 3-IN-1 instant coffee beverage with Ganoderma Extract sold in
   a package of 20 packets of 21 grams each.


2. GANOCAFE GINSENG TONGKAT ALI sold in a package of 15 packets of 23 grams
   each.


3. GANO C'REAL SPIRULINA OATS sold in a package 15 packets of 30 grams each.
   

No illnesses or reactions have been reported to date in connection
with these products.

Gano Excel USA is conducting this recall following sampling
conducted by Health Canada that revealed the presence of an undeclared milk
protein, which was not declared on the product label. Subsequent investigation
revealed the products contain the undeclared milk protein.

Consumers who have purchased these products should contact
their Independent Gano Excel Distributor for a full refund or call Gano Excel
USA at (626) 338-8081 for further information.

The Food and Drug Administration is aware of the recall

####

Recent changes at Gano Excel seem to be the last straw for many distributors. Over the past year or so, Gano Excel has recieved much good press but also much bad press as the excitment over a new category of health products ramps up.

Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Service

Food and Drug Administration

Los Angeles District

19701 Fairchild

Irvine, California 92612-2506

Telephone (949) 608-2900

WARNING LETTER

CERTIFIED MAIL

RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

April 15, 2004

W/L 34-04

Mr. Bernardo T. Chua

President

Gano Excel U.S.A. Inc.

4981 Irwindale Ave., Suite 800

Irwindale, CA 92260

Re: promotion of various products including Ganoderma capsules, Excellium capsules, Gano Garcinia capsules, and Sakanno

Dear Mr. Chua:

This letter is in reference to the products marketed and distributed by your firm Gano Excel U.S.A. that contain the ingredient “Ganoderma.” The various products are: Ganoderma capsules, Excellium capsules, Gano Garcinia capsules, and Sakanno.

On November 5-19, 2003, representatives of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspected your firm and collected labeling for your products. We also reviewed your website at www.ganoexcel.com. Our review of your website and the labeling of your products indicates serious violations of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (the Act). We have determined that your products are drugs under Section 201(g)(1)(B) of the Act because they are intended to treat, mitigate, cure, diagnose, or prevent disease. You can find the Act and FDA regulations regulations on the Internet through links on FDA’s web page www.fda.gov.

Your web site at the address: http:// www.ganoexcel.com contains the following claims about treatment, prevention, and diagnosis of disease:

“Ganoderma helps to detect hidden diseases... ”
Ganoderma, “is known . . . for its power to remove...excess cholesterol.... ”
Under “Why we need to take Ganoderma ?” it states that Ganoderma “has the ability.. . to discover if we have hidden diseases in the body. Then it removes the toxins and enables the body to treat a wide spectrum of diseases with the natural immune system. ”
The “Testimony” section of your website promotes Gano Excel for the treatment of gout, diabetes, and psoriasis.
These drugs are misbranded within the meaning of section 502(f)(1) of the Act, in that the labeling for these drugs fails to bear adequate directions for use.

The labeling of your products indicates that you intend to sell Ganoderma capsules, Excellium capsules, and Sakanno as dietary supplements. If you intend to market these products as dietary supplements, they must meet the definition of dietary supplements in Section 201(ff) of the Act, and must comply with the applicable food labeling regulations in Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 101 (21 CFR 101). Even if the products meet the legal definition of dietary supplements, however, they may be subject to regulation as drugs based on claims in labeling or advertising. Section 403(r)(6) of the Act provides that structure/function claims may be made on the labeling for dietary supplements under certain circumstances. Marketing a dietary supplement with express or implied claims to prevent, treat, mitigate, cure, or diagnose a specific disease, or class of diseases, violates the Act unless FDA has authorized the claim in accordance with applicable health claim regulations, see 21 CFR 101.14 and 101.70, through the new drug approval process, see 21 CFR 314, or through the issuance of an OTC monograph, see 21 CFR 330.

This letter is not an all-inclusive review of your web site and the products that your firm markets. It is your responsibility to ensure that all products marketed by your firm comply with the Act and its implementing regulations. Please notify this office in writing, within fifteen (15) days Tom the receipt of this letter, as to the specific steps you have taken to identify and make corrections to assure that similar violations will not recur. If corrective action cannot be completed within 15 working days, state the reason for delay and the time within which the corrections will be implemented.

Your written reply should be addressed to Compliance Officer MaryLynn Datoc at the above address.

Sincerely,



/s/



Alonza E. Cruse

District Director

Then on February 17, 2005 the following press release was sent out...

Gano Excel USA, Inc. Issues Recall and Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk Protein in GANO CAFE 3-IN-1, GANO CAFE GINSENG TONGKAT ALI, and GANO C'REAL SPIRULINA OATS

Contact:

Andy Nakashima

(626) 480-7550

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE --Irwindale, CA -- February 17, 2005 --- GANO EXCEL USA, in Irwindale, CA is recalling GANO CAFE 3-IN-1, GANOCAFE GINSENG TONGKAT ALI, and GANO C'REAL SPIRULINA OATS due to undeclared milk products. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk proteins run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume these products.

GANO CAFE 3-IN-1, GANOCAFE GINSENG TONGKAT ALI, and GANO

C'REAL SPIRULINA OATS have been sold person-to-person by Independent Gano Excel(tm) Distributors throughout the United States and Canada.

The products affected are as follows:

GANO CAFE 3-IN-1 instant coffee beverage with Ganoderma Extract sold in a package of 20 packets of 21 grams each.
GANOCAFE GINSENG TONGKAT ALI sold in a package of 15 packets of 23 grams each.
GANO C'REAL SPIRULINA OATS sold in a package 15 packets of 30 grams each.
No illnesses or reactions have been reported to date in connection with these products.

Gano Excel USA is conducting this recall following sampling conducted by Health Canada that revealed the presence of an undeclared milk protein, which was not declared on the product label. Subsequent investigation revealed the products contain the undeclared milk protein.

Consumers who have purchased these products should contact their Independent Gano Excel Distributor for a full refund or call Gano Excel USA at (626) 338-8081 for further information.

The Food and Drug Administration is aware of the recall

So why do I even bring this up? Because, my phone has been ringing off the hook with Gano Excel Reps, who are completly frustrated at the last round of comp plan changes. They've spent much time and efforts developing strong customer bases for this high demand product. So since Epic Network is Gano Excels strongest competition, it allows for an easy transition that should be fairly transparent to thier (Gano Excel rep's) customers.

Be sure to check back as more detail are coming in daily.