In Brief: Ad, Social Media Claims Scrutinized; Unilever Slims Down; Perrigo Generic Advil Congestion Ready

Claims that RDK Global’s dietary supplement Provailen “stops arthritis pain at the source” and has “zero side effects” could imply the product is an alternative to FDA-approved medication and encourage consumers to forgo treatment, the Council for Responsible Nutrition said in a case it brought to the National Advertising Division. NAD referred the case to the Federal Trade Commission after RDK refused to participate in the review process. The Council of Better Business Bureaus division noted the Coatbridge, Scotland-based firm, which also markets weight-loss supplement brands Phen375, Adiphene, Optimus and KouTea and Brestrogen “breast enhancement cream,” should substantiate a testimonial that suggested the Reishi mushroom formula alleviated a user’s shoulder and joint pain to the point that surgery was not necessary. CRN argued the express and implied benefit claims in the testimonial must reflect typical results when the product is used as directed. The trade group brought the challenge as part of the initiative it supports to expand NAD’s review of supplement claims.

Social media claims on Twitter and Facebook that Zarbee’s Naturals products provide cold and cough relief make the products unapproved new drugs intended to treat, cure, mitigate and prevent diseases, FDA warns Zarbee’s Inc. in a June 27 letter. The agency also tells the Draper, Utah, firm that its liking of personal testimonials on Facebook is akin to endorsing or promoting them and indicates the firm’s intended use of the products