Recommends Advertiser Discontinue ‘Clinically Studied’ Claims

New York, NY – March 20,  2012  – The National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus has recommended that Vitanergy, Inc., discontinue certain advertising claims for UrinozincSupplements, but found the advertiser could support certain ingredient-based claims for the product.

NAD, the advertising industry’s self-regulatory forum, monitors advertising claims in all media. As part of its routine monitoring program, NAD requested substantiation for certain claims in print and Internet advertising made by Vitanergy for Urinozinc Supplements.  Claims at issue included:

•  “For a healthy prostate, visit your urologist once a year and take URINOZINC.”
• “The only prostate formula with a US Patent for helping alleviate symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate.
• “Formulated to support normal prostate function.”
•   “Shown in clinical studies to help
  o    Reduce symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate
  o    Improve urinary flow rate.”

The advertiser maintained that Urinozinc was specifically formulated to alleviate the symptoms of prostate gland enlargement or inflammation and clinically shown to reduce residual urine while increasing maximum and average urine flow rates. The product is formulated with saw palmetto, pumpkin seeds, African plum extract, zinc, selenium and lycopene.

Following its review of the evidence in the record, NAD determined that the advertiser could not support “clinical studies” claims and recommended the claims be discontinued. NAD further recommended that the advertiser discontinue its claim, “helping alleviate symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate.”

NAD found the advertiser had a reasonable basis for the claim that the product is the “only prostate formulation with a US Patent,” but cautioned the advertiser to monitor the marketplace for any new supplements that also obtained a formulation patent that would render Urinozinc’s exclusivity claim inaccurate.

Further NAD found the advertiser could support ingredient-based claims that the product is “formulated to support normal prostate function” and “for a healthy prostate, visit your urologist once a year and take URINOZINC,” but recommended that the advertiser make clear that these claims are based on certain ingredients in Urinozinc and not testing conducted on the Urinozinc product itself.

The company, in its advertiser’s statement, said it “supports the self regulatory review process and appreciates the thoughtful and comprehensive approach taken by NAD to the issues presented by this inquiry.  Once again, Vitanergy thanks NAD for its time, attention and consideration in this inquiry.”