A recent action by the National Advertising Division (NAD), a self-regulatory arm of the Better Business Bureau, addresses the level of proof necessary to support “natural” and “satiety” claims involving competing experts and a variety of scientific data in dispute. The Proctor & Gamble Company (P&G) successfully challenged three claims made by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare,
Advertising
FTC proposal codifying “Made in USA” standard extends enforcement to online advertising, and enhances enforcement capabilities
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on 22 June 2020 voted to adopt regulations codifying its long-standing Enforcement Policy Statement on U.S. Origin Claims (Policy Statement). The proposed regulations come after the FTC staff held a workshop in September 2019 to discuss “Made in USA” (MUSA) claims and whether there was a need to update the…
National Advertising Division Launches Fast-Track Challenge Process
The National Advertising Division (NAD), a self-regulatory arm of the Better Business Bureau, recently announced that a new “Fast Track” challenge process is now available to members of the advertising industry. The SWIFT (Single Well-defined Issue Fast Track) process aims to adapt to the new speed at which claims come and go in the marketplace…
FTC Seeks Public Comment on Endorsement Guides; Comment Period Extended
On social media and other digital advertising platforms, proper disclosure of material interests between an endorser and the product manufacturer is critical to inform consumers and avoid alleged deceptive advertising practices. The comment deadline for Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) recent request for public comment to inform planned revisions to its Guides Concerning the Use of…
USDA to Initiate Rulemaking for “Made in USA” Claims on Meat and Poultry Products
In response to two petitions, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced that intends to conduct rulemaking to change its policy toward “Product of USA” claims for meat and poultry products, with an apparent objective of limiting the scope of products eligible for the claim.
Recently, FSIS announced…
National Advertising Division Refers Supplement Advertising to FTC
A recent action by the National Advertising Division (NAD), a self-regulatory arm of the Better Business Bureau, illustrates that advertisers who participate but decline to be bound by an NAD Decision can expect to be referred to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The NAD recently announced that it referred advertising claims made by dietary supplement…
Publication in the Federal Official Gazette of the Draft Amendment to the Mexican Official Standard 051 concerning labeling requirements for prepackaged foods and non-alcoholic beverages
On October 10, 2019, the Draft Amendment to the Mexican Official Standard NOM-051-SCFI/SSA1-2010, General Labelling Specifications for Prepackaged Foods and Non-Alcoholic Beverages-Commercial and Health Information (NOM-051) was published in the Federal Official Gazette (DOF).
The aforementioned publication derives from the amendment process which is subject to the referred Mexican Official Standard. As part…
FTC Hosts Public Workshop on “Made in USA” Claims
On September 26, 2019, the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC’s or the Commission’s) Bureau of Consumer Protection (BCP) held a public workshop on “Made in USA” and similar U.S.-origin claims for consumer goods sold in the United States. This is the first time the Commission has sought public input on its approach to such claims since…
The Regulatory Impact Analysis and the draft amendment of the Official Mexican Standard “General Labelling Specifications for Pre-packaged Foods and Non-Alcoholic Beverages”
On October 7th, 2019, the Regulatory Impact Analysis and the draft amendment of the Official Mexican Standard NOM-051-SCFI/SSA1-2010 – “General Labelling Specifications for Pre-packaged Foods and Non-Alcoholic Beverages – Commercial and Health Information” were published in the portal of the National Commission on Regulatory Improvement. The foregoing was the result of the proposal…
Ninth Circuit Issues Ruling on “Made in the USA” Claims in California
The U.S. Appeals Court for the 9th Circuit issued a favorable decision earlier this year interpreting the California “made in the USA” statute. In a March 2018 unpublished opinion, the court affirmed the dismissal of lawsuits filed over the labeling of dog food and treats as “made in the USA” when they contained tapioca starch,…