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3/22/2022 - National Advertising Division Finds “225k 5-Star Product Reviews” Claim for Prose Customizable Hair Products Supported, With Qualification
New York, NY – March 22, 2022 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs determined that PerSé Beauty Inc. (doing business as “Prose”) provided a reasonable basis for the claim “225k 5-star product reviews on Review and Refine” for its customizable hair products. However, NAD recommended that the advertiser clearly disclose qualifying information related to how it collects and counts reviews. -
3/17/2022 - Children’s Advertising Review Unit Recommends Jazwares Modify Misleading Ads and Product Packaging for Micro Machines; Company Agrees to Comply
McLean, VA – March 17, 2022 – The Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU) determined that Jazwares advertising and product packaging for Micro Machines Corvette and World of Micro Machines Playsets were likely to mislead children. CARU also determined that Jazwares’ Micro Machines Corvette video advertisement unrealistically depicted how the playset can perform. CARU recommended that the advertiser modify the advertisements and product packaging to clearly depict what the product sets include, to make clear and conspicuous disclosures where needed, and in the case of the Corvette ads, to accurately depict how the cars perform.
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3/17/2022 - National Advertising Division Finds Certain T-Mobile Home Internet Claims Supported; Recommends Others Be Modified or Discontinued
New York, NY – March 17, 2022 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs determined that T-Mobile USA, Inc.’s “no data caps” claim for its Home Internet service was not misleading. NAD also found that T-Mobile’s advertising did not reasonably convey a disparaging message that competing cable internet providers, including challenger Charter Communications, Inc., require long-term contracts and exploding bills, as compared to T-Mobile’s Home Internet service. However, NAD recommended that T-Mobile discontinue or modify several other claims.
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3/16/2022 - National Advertising Division Recommends P&G Discontinue Claim that Olay Body Wash “Improves Skin 3X Better” than the Leading Body Wash
New York, NY – March 16, 2022 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) recommended that P&G discontinue the claim that Olay body wash “improves skin 3X better” than the leading body wash. NAD also recommended that the advertiser modify the disclosure in its “Lessons in Layering” print advertisement to accurately identify the body wash used in its supporting study. These claims, made by P&G in digital, print, and TV advertising, were challenged by Unilever, maker of competing personal care products.
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3/16/2022 - Children’s Advertising Review Unit Recommends Moose Toys Include Disclosures and Adult Supervision in Gotta Go Turdle Ads; Company Agrees to Comply
McLean, VA – March 16, 2022 – The Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU) recommended that Moose Toys modify its television and YouTube advertisements promoting the Little Live Pets Gotta Go Turdle, as well as the product’s packaging, to include clear and conspicuous disclosures that children should not eat the purple aqua-sand Turdle food. CARU also recommended that future advertisements depict adult supervision whenever a child is shown playing with the toy.
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3/15/2022 - National Advertising Division Finds Certain Sustainability Claims for Chipotle Mexican Grill Supported; Recommends Modification of Others
New York, NY – March 15, 2022 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs determined that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. provided a reasonable basis for certain claims related to its sustainability practices, but recommended that the advertiser make modifications to make clear the parts of its supply chain that have reduced carbon emissions. NAD also recommended modification to claims related to the advertiser’s Real Foodprint sustainability program, to clarify that the metrics are based on average sustainability assessment, not a consumer’s specific purchase.
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3/10/2022 - Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council Recommends Mary Kay Discontinue Certain Earnings Claims in Compliance Inquiry
McLean, VA – March 10, 2022 – The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC) opened a compliance inquiry to review advertising from Mary Kay, Inc. that had been the subject of an inquiry from 2021. In this compliance inquiry, DSSRC found new social media posts that referred to the significant income that can be earned from the Mary Kay business opportunity. DSSRC recommended that these new earnings claims, made by Mary Kay salesforce members, be discontinued.
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3/09/2022 - Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council Recommends Morinda Discontinue Certain Earnings and Health-Related Product Performance Claims
McLean, VA – March 09, 2022 – The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC) recommended that certain product performance and earnings claims made by Morinda, Inc. and its salesforce be discontinued. The claims that were the subject of the inquiry were disseminated by Morinda and its salesforce members on social media as well as on the company website. Morinda is a multi-level direct selling company that sells various personal care products, essential oils, and dietary supplements, including its main product, a noni juice blend sold under the brand name Tahitian Noni.
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3/08/2022 - Children’s Advertising Review Unit Finds TickTalk Tech in Violation of COPPA and CARU’s Privacy Guidelines; Company Agrees to Corrective Actions
McLean, VA – March 08, 2022 – The Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU) of BBB National Programs has found TickTalk Tech, LLC, owner and operator of the TickTalk 4 Smart Watch phone and coordinating app, in violation of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and CARU’s Self-Regulatory Guidelines for Children’s Online Privacy Protection. TickTalk agreed to correct the violations.
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3/08/2022 - National Advertising Division Finds Spectrum Mobile Pricing Claims Supported with Adequate Disclosures; Recommends Disparaging AT&T Claim Be Discontinued
New York, NY – March 8, 2022 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) determined that, with appropriate clear and conspicuous disclosures, Spectrum’s “all-in” price claim is supported. However, NAD recommended that the advertiser discontinue the disparaging claim that AT&T intentionally misleads consumers about the pricing for AT&T’s wireless service, which NAD concluded was a reasonable takeaway from the challenged advertising. AT&T Services, Inc. challenged claims made by Charter Communications in the nationally broadcast television commercial “Surprise Fees Ad” for Spectrum Mobile.
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3/02/2022 - National Advertising Division Recommends WaterWipes Discontinue “#1 Wipes Against the Causes of Diaper Rash” Claims for Infant Cleansing Wipes
New York, NY – March 2, 2022 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs recommended that WaterWipes discontinue #1 wipes claims. These claims, which appeared on the advertiser’s website and social media channels, were challenged by Kimberly-Clark Corporation, maker of competing cleansing wipes for infants.
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3/01/2022 - National Advertising Division Finds Niantic’s Charitable Donation Claims Supported
New York, NY – March 1, 2022 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs determined that Niantic, Inc. was able to support claims pledging charitable donations to “Black gaming” as well as social and racial justice organizations. This inquiry was initiated through NAD’s routine monitoring program. NAD’s public interest mission to ensure consumers receive truthful advertising extends to companies’ representations committing to support social justice initiatives.
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3/01/2022 - National Advertising Division Finds DoorDash Black Lives Matter Related Charitable Donation Claim Supported
New York, NY – March 1, 2022 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs determined that DoorDash, Inc., an online food ordering company, was able to support its website claim: “We are donating $1 million, with $500,000 going to Black Lives Matter and $500,000 to create a fund to be directed by the Black@DoorDash ERG (Employee Resource Group) towards state and local organizations.”
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2/24/2022 - National Advertising Review Board Recommends T-Mobile Discontinue Most Reliable 5G Network According to umlaut Claims
New York, NY – February 24, 2022 – A panel of the National Advertising Review Board (NARB), the appellate advertising law body of BBB National Programs, has recommended that T-Mobile U.S. Inc. discontinue all express and implied claims that T-Mobile has the most reliable 5G network, an assertion the company had made based on data from third-party testing company, umlaut.
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2/17/2022 - National Advertising Division Finds Certain Claims for 4Patriots Long-Term Survival Food Kits Supported; Recommends Advertiser Modify Others
New York, NY – February 17, 2022 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) determined 4Patriots provided a reasonable basis for the number of views on the YouTube page for its Long-Term Survival Food Kits. NAD also found that the product names “3-Month Survival Food Kit” and “1-Year Survival Food Kit” on their own did not convey any implied messages about serving size, caloric content, or adverse effects. However, NAD recommended that the advertiser modify other claims. The advertiser’s claims were challenged by My Patriot Supply, a competitor in the shelf stable survival food business.
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2/16/2022 - National Advertising Division Refers Advertising Claims for Simply Gum to Federal Trade Commission for Review
New York, NY – February 16, 2022 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs has referred advertising claims made by Simply Gum Inc. to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for review. Simply Gum Inc. declined to participate in the industry self-regulation process. As a result of the advertiser’s failure to participate, NAD has referred advertising claims to the FTC. The claims at issue appeared on the internet and on product packaging, challenged by Perfetti Van Melle USA.
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2/10/2022 - National Advertising Division Finds Certain Claims for Green Gobbler Drain Clog Dissolver Supported; Recommends Advertiser Modify or Discontinue Others
New York, NY – February 10, 2022 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs determined PurposeBuilt Brands provided a reasonable basis for certain advertising claims for its Green Gobbler Drain Clog Dissolver but recommended that other challenged claims be modified or discontinued. The claims were challenged by S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc., a manufacturer of competing pour-in drain opening products.
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2/10/2022 - National Advertising Review Board Upholds S.C. Johnson’s Claim that Ziploc Slider Storage Bags are “Stronger than Hefty on Punctures and Tears”
New York, NY – February 10, 2022 – A panel of the National Advertising Review Board (NARB) has determined that S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. has proper support for its advertising claim that Ziploc Slider bags are “stronger than Hefty on punctures and tears.” The advertising at issue, along with a number of other claims, had been challenged by Reynolds Consumer Products, LLC, the manufacturer of Hefty storage bags, before BBB National Programs’ National Advertising Division (NAD). Following NAD’s decision, S.C. Johnson appealed.
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2/09/2022 - National Advertising Review Board Recommends AT&T Modify or Discontinue Certain Claims; Upholds Appeal for Others
New York, NY – February 9, 2022 – A panel of the National Advertising Review Board (NARB) has recommended that AT&T Services, Inc. modify or discontinue certain advertising claims for its fiber internet service. The panel upheld the advertiser’s appeal as to other claims. The advertising at issue had been challenged by Charter Communications, Inc. before the National Advertising Division (NAD). Following NAD’s decision (Case No. 6981), the advertiser appealed to NARB.
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2/03/2022 - National Advertising Division Recommends Merck Discontinue “Best in Show” Commercial for Bravecto Flea and Tick Preventative for Dogs; Merck to Appeal
New York, NY – February 3, 2022 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) recommended that Merck Animal Health discontinue its “Best in Show” commercial and take steps to ensure that when making an “apples-to-oranges” comparison between its BRAVECTO flea and tick preventative for dogs and a rival company’s NexGard, that the material dosing difference between the compared products is sufficiently disclosed. Merck will appeal NAD’s decision.
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Latest Decisions
National Advertising Division Recommends Blueprint Test Preparation Discontinue Certain MCAT Score Improvement Claims
New York, NY – April 22, 2024 – The National Advertising Division recommended Blueprint Test Preparation discontinue certain express and implied claims made in connection with its four MCAT preparation courses, including claims that Blueprint students raise their MCAT scores by 15 or 13 points on average.
National Advertising Division Recommends The Princeton Review Discontinue Point Increase Claims for MCAT Test Preparation Services
New York, NY – April 18, 2024 – In a Fast-Track SWIFT challenge, the National Advertising Division recommended that The Princeton Review (TPR) discontinue claims that its students “Score a 515+ on the MCAT or add 15 points depending on your starting score. Guaranteed or your money back.”
Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council Recommends Trades of Hope Discontinue Salesforce Member Earnings Claims
McLean, VA – April 17, 2024 – The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC) recommended that Trades of Hope discontinue certain earnings claims made by salesforce members on Facebook and YouTube.
National Advertising Division Recommends Lily of the Desert Nutraceuticals Discontinue “100% Pure Avocado Oil” Claim for Tropical Plantation Avocado Oil
New York, NY – April 15, 2024 – The National Advertising Division recommended that Lily of the Desert Nutraceuticals discontinue the claim “100% Pure Avocado Oil” for its Tropical Plantation Avocado Oil and avoid conveying the unsupported message that the product is 100% pure avocado...