Savvy individuals know that the concept of truth in marketing is largely a misnomer. . According to the Wall Street Journal, the United States Federal Trade Commission has sued POM Wonderful LLC of Los Angeles, makers of a popular pomegranate juice drink. The FTC claims in the suit that POMx supplements and POM Wonderful juice have “false and unverified statements that their products will prevent or treat heart disease, prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction.”
There are hardcore issues between POM Wonderful plus the FTC
The WSJ argues that POM Wonderful products aren’t that bad. They have been “proven to fight for cardiovascular, prostate and erectile health,” supposedly. The FTC explains that having “17 percent improved blood flow” and a “30 percent decrease in arterial plaque” aren’t enough evidence to advertise that way. POM Wonderful makes statements that aren’t very legitimate. It says that “unprecedented scientific research,” is put into the products before advertising.
“Any consumer who sees POM Wonderful products as a silver bullet against disease has been misled,” David Vladeck of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection said in a media statement.
Next, one more suit arrives from POM Wonderful towards the FTC
According to POM Wonderful, the FTC’s needs are unreasonable. POM Wonderful statements the First Amendment free-speech rights were being broken when the FTC requirements were put in place, which was before the FTC even filed the suit. While the FTC hasn’t played the former Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes card of falsely shouting “fire” in a crowded theater as an illustration of the limits of free speech, POM Wonderful’s health statements – if indeed the claims are unverified – do raise reasonable questions, considering their specificity. 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 getting products statements that aren’t real.
Find more info on this subject
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
