2010-10-02, 01:22 PM
FTC Complaint Charges Deceptive Advertising by POM Wonderful
Article represented below for brevity:
Agency Proceedings Will Determine Whether Health Claims for Pomegranate Products Are False and Not Supported by Scientific Evidence
As part of its ongoing efforts to uncover over-hyped health claims in food advertising, the Federal Trade Commission has issued an administrative complaint charging the makers of POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice and POMx supplements with making false and unsubstantiated claims that their products will prevent or treat heart disease, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction. POM Wonderful Pomegranate Juice is widely available at grocery stores nationwide, and a 16 oz. bottle retails for approximately $3.99. POMx pills and liquid extract are sold via direct mail, with a one-month supply costing approximately $30.
Any consumer who sees POM Wonderful products as a silver bullet against disease has been misled, said David Vladeck, Director of the FTCs Bureau of Consumer Protection. When a company touts scientific research in its advertising, the research must squarely support the claims made. Contrary to POM Wonderfuls advertising, the available scientific information does not prove that POM Juice or POMx effectively treats or prevents these illnesses.
The advertisements touted POM Juice and POMx supplements with statements such as:
According to a UCLA study of 46 men age 65 to 70 with advanced prostate cancer, drinking an 8 oz glass of POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice every day slowed their PSA doubling time by nearly 350%. 83% of those who participated in the study showed a significant decrease in their cancer regrowth rate.
You have to be on pomegranate juice. You have a 50 percent chance of getting [prostate cancer]. Listen to me. It is the one thing that will keep your PSA normal. You have to drink pomegranate juice. There is nothing else we know of that will keep your PSA in check. Its also 40 percent as effective as Viagra. The FTCs administrative complaint against POM Wonderful alleges that these claims are false and unsubstantiated:
[Scientific studies allege] that the erectile dysfunction claims are false and unsubstantiated because the study on which the company relied did not show that POM Juice was any more effective than a placebo.
The complaint sets forth a proposed order that would prevent future law violations by POM Wonderful. In part, the proposed order would require that future claims that any pomegranate-based product cures, prevents, treats, or reduces the risk of any disease not be misleading and comply with Food and Drug Administration regulations for the claim.
Article represented below for brevity:
Agency Proceedings Will Determine Whether Health Claims for Pomegranate Products Are False and Not Supported by Scientific Evidence
As part of its ongoing efforts to uncover over-hyped health claims in food advertising, the Federal Trade Commission has issued an administrative complaint charging the makers of POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice and POMx supplements with making false and unsubstantiated claims that their products will prevent or treat heart disease, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction. POM Wonderful Pomegranate Juice is widely available at grocery stores nationwide, and a 16 oz. bottle retails for approximately $3.99. POMx pills and liquid extract are sold via direct mail, with a one-month supply costing approximately $30.
Any consumer who sees POM Wonderful products as a silver bullet against disease has been misled, said David Vladeck, Director of the FTCs Bureau of Consumer Protection. When a company touts scientific research in its advertising, the research must squarely support the claims made. Contrary to POM Wonderfuls advertising, the available scientific information does not prove that POM Juice or POMx effectively treats or prevents these illnesses.
The advertisements touted POM Juice and POMx supplements with statements such as:
- SUPER HEALTH POWERS!
100% PURE POMEGRANATE JUICE.
Backed by $25 million in medical research. Proven to fight for cardiovascular, prostate and erectile health.
- NEW RESEARCH OFFERS FURTHER PROOF OF THE HEART-HEALTHY BENEFITS OF POM WONDERFUL JUICE. 30% DECREASE IN ARTERIAL PLAQUE
17% IMPROVED BLOOD FLOW
PROMOTES HEALTHY BLOOD VESSELS
- Prostate health. Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the United States and the second-leading cause of cancer death in men after lung cancer.
According to a UCLA study of 46 men age 65 to 70 with advanced prostate cancer, drinking an 8 oz glass of POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice every day slowed their PSA doubling time by nearly 350%. 83% of those who participated in the study showed a significant decrease in their cancer regrowth rate.
You have to be on pomegranate juice. You have a 50 percent chance of getting [prostate cancer]. Listen to me. It is the one thing that will keep your PSA normal. You have to drink pomegranate juice. There is nothing else we know of that will keep your PSA in check. Its also 40 percent as effective as Viagra. The FTCs administrative complaint against POM Wonderful alleges that these claims are false and unsubstantiated:
- Clinical studies prove that POM Juice and POMx prevent, reduce the risk of, and treat heart disease, including by decreasing arterial plaque, lowering blood pressure, and improving blood flow to the heart;
- Clinical studies prove that POM Juice and POMx prevent, reduce the risk of, and treat prostate cancer, including by prolonging prostate-specific antigen doubling time;
- Clinical studies prove that POM Juice prevents, reduces the risk of, and treats, erectile dysfunction.
[Scientific studies allege] that the erectile dysfunction claims are false and unsubstantiated because the study on which the company relied did not show that POM Juice was any more effective than a placebo.
The complaint sets forth a proposed order that would prevent future law violations by POM Wonderful. In part, the proposed order would require that future claims that any pomegranate-based product cures, prevents, treats, or reduces the risk of any disease not be misleading and comply with Food and Drug Administration regulations for the claim.
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