BBB National Programs Archive

1-800 Patches Participates In ERSP Forum

New York,NY– March 10, 2006 – The Electronic Retailing Self-Regulation Program (ERSP) announced that 1-800 Patches, Inc. (1-800 Patches), marketers of the Arctic White Tooth Whitening System, has provided adequate support for one safety claim. The marketer voluntarily modified and discontinued the general performance and comparative claims at issue in this review. The marketer’s advertising was reviewed pursuant to ERSP’s monitoring process.

ERSP,  the electronic  direct-response  industry’s  self-regulatory  forum, is administered  by the Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB) with policy oversight by the National Advertising Review Council (NARC). ERSP reviewed several core claims that included:

  • “See results in days!”
  • “…the 6% hydrogen peroxide whitens from the inside out.” “…strengthening and protecting your new smile.”
  • “not even professional whitening can match the Artic White patented process.”
  • “Premeasured vials are safe and convenient.”

ERSP noted that the marketer, in the spirit of voluntary self-regulation, has made significant modifications to advertising for Arctic White. 1-800-Patches has informed ERSP that the product is in the process of being re-packaged and much of the future advertising for the product will be based upon the results of a recently conducted usage study of Arctic White consumers. The marketer submitted several industry publications supporting its claims of fluoride protection and the cleaning mechanics of its carbamide peroxide ingredient.

Lastly, ERSP noted its appreciation for the voluntary discontinuance of the two comparative claims by 1-800-Pharmacy and agreed with the marketer that its claim that Arctic White’s “Premeasured vials are safe and convenient” was accurately communicated.

In response to ERSP’s findings, 1-800 Patches stated while it “… is currently in the process of revising the Arctic White website and packaging, according to the changes that we have discussed, and in association with ERSP’s recommendations. We were happy to participate in the process”.