BBB National Programs Decision Summaries
BBB National Programs provides summaries of all case decisions from the National Advertising Division (NAD), National Advertising Review Board (NARB), Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU), Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC), and Digital Advertising Accountability Program (DAAP). Subscribe to receive a weekly wrap-up of published case decisions in your inbox.
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6/29/2021 - National Advertising Division Recommends Life Renew Discontinue Certain Claims for its NerveRenew Dietary Supplement
New York, NY – June 29, 2021 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs recommended that Neuropathy Treatment Group, d/b/a Life Renew, discontinue the following claims for its NerveRenew dietary supplement: “100% Stabilized R-Alpha Lipoic Acid (R-ALA) is our most important ingredient," “It contains the most powerful and clinically studied forms of B vitamins, Stabilized R Alpha Lipoic Acid, anti-oxidants and herbal extracts. All the ingredients have been included in clinical studies and provide a synergistic effect when taken together," and “3X Greater Bioavailability." The claims at issue were challenged by the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN).
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6/24/2021 - National Advertising Division Recommends Audien, LLC Discontinue “Tinnitus Management” and Comparative Pricing Claims for its Rechargeable Hearing Aids
New York, NY – June 24, 2021 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs recommended that Audien, LLC discontinue the following claims for its rechargeable hearing aid: “Rechargeable Hearing Aids for $89/pair*”, “Similar technology to $5000 hearing aids", and “Can be used for Tinnitus management.” These claims, which appeared in internet advertising, were challenged by NAD as part of the independent non-profit organization’s routine monitoring program.
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6/15/2021 - National Advertising Division Recommends Charter Communications Discontinue or Modify Certain TV Commercial Claims for Spectrum Internet
New York, NY – June 15, 2021 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs recommended that Charter Communications, Inc. discontinue or modify certain comparative speed claims for its Spectrum Internet service versus AT&T, which appeared in its “Welcome Back Party” and “Great Offers” television commercials. The claims at issue were challenged by AT&T Services, Inc. and included express and implied claims.
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6/08/2021 - National Advertising Division Finds Certain Claims for Crest Whitening Emulsions Supported; Recommends Discontinuation or Modification of Others
New York, NY – June 8, 2021 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) determined that The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) provided a reasonable basis for claims that its Crest Whitening Emulsions provide “better” or “100% whiter” results and that it “whitens better” than P&G’s own ARC Pen, but recommended that P&G modify its advertising to clearly and conspicuously disclose that the object of its comparative claims is the ARC Pen. NAD also found that P&G provided a reasonable basis for its “virtually no sensitivity” claim. NAD recommended that P&G modify the claims “faster” and “5x active peroxide droplets suspended in a hydrating base to whiten teeth,” discontinue or modify the claim “stops stains before they set in,” and discontinue certain other claims.
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5/25/2021 - Claims Comparing TVision Live Service to Cable TV Discontinued Due to T-Mobile’s Termination of the Service During National Advertising Division Challenge
New York, NY – May 25, 2021 – T-Mobile USA, Inc. informed the National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs that it has permanently discontinued challenged claims made in connection with its TVision Live service, including that TVision Live is half the price of cable and allows customers to watch “only what you want.” During the proceeding, the advertiser informed NAD that the TVision Live service has been discontinued and, as a result, the challenged claims were also permanently discontinued.
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5/19/2021 - National Advertising Division Refers Quicken Loans’ “No Registration, No Login” Claims to Federal Trade Commission for Further Review
New York, NY – May 19, 2021 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs has referred advertising claims made by Quicken Loans to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for review. Through its routine monitoring program, NAD challenged “No Registration, No Login” claims made by Quicken Loans in connection with encouraging consumers to refinance their mortgage and learn more about its low refinancing rates. The advertiser did not respond to NAD’s request to provide substantiation for its claims.
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5/19/2021 - Lemonade, Inc. Voluntarily Discontinues Certain Pet Health Insurance Claims Following National Advertising Division Challenge
New York, NY – May 19, 2021 – Lemonade, Inc., a provider of pet health insurance, informed the National Advertising Division (NAD) that it has permanently discontinued challenged express claims regarding the speed at which consumers can expect veterinarian claims to be paid by Lemonade. The advertiser’s claims, which appeared in online advertising and social media, were challenged by Trupanion, Inc., which offers competing pet insurance policies. During the proceeding, the advertiser informed NAD that it had permanently discontinued the challenged express claims.
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4/27/2021 - National Advertising Division Recommends Charter Communications Discontinue Spectrum Mobile “Fastest Overall Speeds” Nationwide Claim; Advertiser to Appeal
New York, NY – April 27, 2021 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) determined that evidence offered by Charter Communications to support its claim that Spectrum Mobile delivers the “fastest overall speeds” nationwide was not a good fit. In recommending that the claim be discontinued, NAD found that Charter is not delivering an “overall fastest” (aggregated) speed to the consumer. It is only when the consumer is in certain geographic markets or connected to Spectrum WiFi (at home or via hotspot) that the consumer gains a speed advantage over competing providers. Charter will appeal NAD’s recommendation. The claim that Spectrum Mobile offers “the fastest overall speeds,” which appeared in website advertisements, television, radio, as well as internet commercials, was challenged by AT&T Services.
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4/22/2021 - National Advertising Division Recommends Natural Diamond Council Discontinue Certain Advertising Claims on Benefits of Mined Versus Man-Made Diamonds
New York, NY – April 22, 2021 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) recommended that the Natural Diamond Council discontinue certain advertising claims comparing mined diamonds with man-made diamonds, including the carbon emissions associated with diamond mining compared with diamond manufacturing, the scarcity of mined diamonds, the resale value of mined diamonds versus man-made diamonds, as well as claims that described mined diamonds as “real”, in contrast to man-made diamonds. The claims at issue, which appeared on the Natural Diamond Council’s website and in marketing assets that the advertiser makes available to retailers, were challenged by Diamond Foundry, Inc., a manufacturer of laboratory-grown diamonds (LGDs).
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4/15/2021 - NAD Finds Certain Zarbee’s Claims Clearly Identify Honey as The Source of the Cough Soothing Benefit in its Cough Products; Recommends Modification of Others
New York, NY – April 15, 2021 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) determined that certain advertising claims made by Zarbee’s, Inc. for its cough products sufficiently identify that honey is the source of the cough soothing benefit and would not reasonably mislead consumers as to the reason for the product’s cough soothing efficacy. However, NAD recommended modification of other claims to make clear that the cough soothing benefit is attributable to the honey and not the combination of main ingredients. The claims at issue, which appeared on product packaging, website advertising, third-party retailer websites, and on social media, were challenged by Maty’s Healthy Products, LLC.