Home Shopping Network, Inc.; Home Shopping Club, Inc.; HSN Lifeway Health Products, Inc.; Proposed Consent Agreement With Analysis To Aid Public Comment

Résumé

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 require, among other things, the St. Petersburg, Florida-based television advertiser and two of its subsidiaries to have competent and reliable scientific evidence before making any claim that a food, dietary supplement, or drug can cure, treat, or prevent any disease or has any effect on the structure or function of the human body and before making any claims about the performance, benefits, or efficacy of any smoking-cessation program, product, or service. The consent agreement settles allegations that the respondents made a number of health-related claims about four mouth sprays without having the necessary evidence to back them up. The stop- smoking spray and three vitamin sprays were marketed during an advertising program called ``Spotlight on Ruta Lee'' which was produced and disseminated by Home Shopping Club.