Saturday, October 2, 2010

Federal Trade Commission sues for health statements by POM Wonderful

Savvy individuals know that the concept of truth in marketing is largely a misnomer. Corporations will often get in trouble for the claims they make about products in marketing. In Los Angeles, the company POM Wonderful LLC makes a pomegranate drink that is popular. This company is now being sued by the United States Federal Trade Commission, reports the Wall Street Journal. The FTC’s lawsuit alleges that POM Wonderful juice and POMx supplements contain “false and unsubstantiated claims that their products will prevent or treat heart disease, prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction.”.

POM Wonderful has lots against it with the FTC

The WSJ argues that POM Wonderful products aren’t that bad. They are “proven to fight for cardiovascular, prostate and erectile health,” supposedly. The business is told by the FTC that its marketing is false. There is not enough proof from statements like a "30 percent decrease in arterial plaque” and "17 percent improved blood flow.”. POM Wonderful claims the company’s statements are true and supported by “unprecedented scientific research,” questionable language that may not be helping POM Wonderful’s claims of legitimacy.

“Any consumer who sees POM Wonderful products as a silver bullet against disease has been misled,” is what David Vladeck said. He is the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.

Suit submitted towards FTC by POM Wonderful

POM Wonderful thinks that the requirements that the FTC puts out aren’t possible to follow. Two weeks before the FTC even generated its lawsuit, POM Wonderful had gone on record the FTC’s requirements were squelching POM Wonderful’s First Amendment free-speech rights. POM Wonderful should have its health statements checked out since they’re specific enough to raise some eyebrows. The FTC has not just called the company out for nothing. POM Wonderful even put out some ads once stating that its pomegranate juice will protect against PSA’s which are prostate-specific antigens. These facts have to be proven scientifically before stating them. The WSJ reports that they weren’t proven. Customers may end up buying products depending on statements that aren’t real.

More on this topic

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704654004575517871757238034.html?KEYWORDS=POM Wonderful

Protesting POM Wonderful’s animal testing (Warning: Some NSFW language is audible)

youtube.com/watch?v=htxIpHbl4lA



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