A 60-day comment period for the Federal Trade Commission’s “Made in the USA” label ended Monday with 838 submissions that favor a crack-down on unqualified U.S-origins claims on product labels.

And the No. 1 maker of those unqualified claims was named in many of the comments — Secretary of Agriculture
Continue Reading FTC’s move could help make ‘Made in the USA’ label meaningful again

The latest attempt to force the USDA to reinstate country of origin labeling (COOL) rules fell short. A federal judge in New Mexico granted motions on Aug. 27 by defendants Tyson Foods Inc., Cargill Meat Solutions, JBS USA, and National Beef Packing Co., to dismiss the two consolidated cases involving
Continue Reading Judge leaves USDA to decide on ‘Product of USA,’ but FTC might lend a hand on the labels

Putting out too much information is rarely a problem for the government, but most reports about Tuesday’s announcement by federal agencies of their new and ongoing “sweep” against unlawful dietary supplements overlooked some important consumer information. In addition to the criminal and civil actions made public Nov. 17, 2015, by
Continue Reading DOJ: Consumers Must Remain on Guard About Supplement Risks

Seven federal agencies, led by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), have announced joint civil and criminal actions against more than 100 makers and marketers of potentially dangerous dietary supplements, which one official compared to modern-day versions of “snake oil salesman and medical quacks.” The agencies went public Tuesday, Nov.
Continue Reading Feds Announce ‘Nationwide Sweep’ of Supplement Makers

TV’s Dr. Oz says that he personally believes unroasted green coffee is a “miracle” and a “fat-burner,” but he accepts no money for promoting it. He is also very specific in saying that consumers should purchase only those green coffee extracts carrying either the Green Coffee Antioxidant (GCA®) or Svetol®
Continue Reading FTC Settlement With Green Coffee Extract Maker Includes $3.5-Million Fine

TriVita Inc. of Scottsdale, AZ, will refund $3.5 million to consumers for marketing its cactus juice as a cure-all for pain, inflammation, and respiratory and skin problems. All those health claims are unfounded, according to a unanimous Federal Trade Commission. The marketers of the cactus-based fruit drink have agreed
Continue Reading Phony Health Claims About Cactus Juice Result in $3.5-Million FTC Settlement

The Federal Trade Commission this week upheld an earlier decision that POM Wonderful juice and POMx supplements made deceptive claims about treating, preventing or reducing the risk of heart disease, prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction. The FTC found that the company made deceptive claims in 36 advertisements and promotional materials,
Continue Reading FTC Upholds Decision Against POM Wonderful on Deceptive Health Claims

If you wanted to ensure a report gets buried, a good time to release it would be the Friday before a holiday week. That the Federal Trade Commission released its latest report on marketing to children on that day speaks volumes about how seriously the Obama administration is taking this
Continue Reading Feds to Parents: Big Food Still Exploiting Your Children; Good Luck With That