Konkurencja i konsument · 15.11.1996

Universal Merchants, Inc.; Steven Oscherowitz; Analysis To Aid Public Comment

In settlement of alleged violations of federal law prohibiting unfair or deceptive acts or practices and unfair methods of competition, this consent agreement, accepted subject to final Commission approval, would prohibit, among other things, the Los Angeles, California-based dietary supplement manufacturer and its president from making certain challenged claims for chromium picolinate dietary supplements, without competent and reliable scientific evidence to support them; from misrepresenting the results of any test, study, or research; and from representing that any testimonial or endorsement is the typical or ordinary experience of users of the advertised product, unless the claim is substantiated or unless Universal Merchants discloses the generally expected results clearly and prominently. The agreement settles allegations that Universal Merchants made unsupported claims about weight loss and health benefits in infomercials for its Chromatrim and Chromatrim 100 chromium picolinate chewing gum products.