FTC's Gordon: Marketers Making Health Claims Need to Back Them Up

Jan 14, 2010 2:59 PM, By JULIE GALLAGHER


     ShareThis     

NEW YORK — The Federal Trade Commission is keeping a close eye on nutritional claims made by major food marketers, said Leonard Gordon, director of the northeast regional office of the Federal Trade Commission, Thursday.

“More and more products — food products — are making health claims and I think you’re going to see more enforcement there,” said Gordon during a briefing on the new direction of FTC consumer protection, at law firm Venable’s office here. “As companies make more and more claims, they’re going to need to have some science behind those or there are going to be some problems.”

Gordon provided as example a case where Kellogg touted a breakfast of Frosted Mini-Wheats as “clinically shown to improve kids’ attentiveness by nearly 20%.”

An FTC complaint alleged that according to Kellogg’s clinical study the claims were false, and only about half the children who ate Frosted Mini-Wheats showed any improvement in attentiveness, and only about one in nine improved by 20% or more. In August, Kellogg settled with the FTC.

Since the appointments of Chairman Jon Leibowitz and Bureau of Consumer Protection director David Vladek, the BCP has become more focused on protecting kids, privacy issues, scams that prey on those in poverty and partnerships, according to Gordon.

Marketers can expect to see more joint enforcement between the FTC and the Food and Drug Administration, for instance, he said.

Cases of deceptive “green” marketing are also on its radar.

Read More of Today's Headlines

Read More of Today's Headlines



Acceptable Use Policy
blog comments powered by Disqus

Subscribe / Renew to Supermarket News

Supermarket News

The most reliable source of industry news and insight...in print and online.

Viewpoints

David Orgel David Orgel:
Wider Turf War Between Supermarkets, Restaurants

Supermarkets are stepping up their restaurant-quality, ready-to-eat food offerings...

Mark Hamstra Mark Hamstra:
Connective Politics Pay Off in Interchange Reform

It's safe to say that Rich Niemann Sr. and Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., don't see eye to eye on all issues...


WH Refresh Blog

Bob Vosburgh Bob Vosburgh:

When Hiller’s Markets does something, there are no half steps...


Most Viewed News

Read More News

SN Editorial Videos

The Lempert Report

Marketing analysis, issues and trends from supermarket industry analyst Phil Lempert.

New Products Hits and Misses

Product reviews from supermarket industry analyst Phil Lempert.

The Role of Technology at Save Mart Supermarkets

Aashish Chandra, senior director of IT Save Mart, talks about his company's approach to technology.

SN Sponsored Videos

Pan-Oston Mobile Innovation Centers Tour

The Supermarket Guru shows the front-end technology you can experience during the tour.

View All

Articles by Market
Retail/Financial
Executive Changes
Grocery/Center Store/
Brands
Health & Wellness
In-Store Bakery/Deli/Meals
Logistics
Marketing
Meat/Seafood/Dairy
Nonfoods/Pharmacy/HBC
Produce/Floral
Specialty/Ethnic
Technology

Quick Poll

Key Issues & Topics
Food Safety/Recalls
Legislation/Regulations
Sustainability/Green
More Topics
Resources
Profiles & Rankings
SN Awards
SN Data
White Papers/Studies
Webinars
Trade Show Calendar
Subscribe to SN
Total
Refresh

Upcoming Events

View More Upcoming Events

Subscribe to SN

Subscribe to SN Newsletter

Premium SN Content

Latest SN Cover

Subscriptions

Get access to print and / or premium online conent.

Register Here

newsletter image

SN Free Daily Update

The food trade's leading daily news service.

Register Here

Safeway: Deflation Cuts Gains

Safeway here believes its price-reduction efforts are beginning to pay off in stronger volume numbers, though an unanticipated spike in...

Mariano Details Roundy's Plans for Chicago

Robert A. Mariano is once again operating in Chicago — this time with his name on the front of the store.

Subscribe to Premium Content Today!

Subscribe to Premium Content Today!

Corporate Finance

Read in-depth coverage of quarterly reports.

Marketing Trends

New promotions, new pricing, new products.

Subscribe to Premium Content