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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3/02/2021 - NAD Finds One American Association of Orthodontists Video Puffery; Recommends Discontinuation of Unsupported Implied Claims About Competitor’s Platform
New York, NY – March 2, 2021 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) determined that the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) supported its implied claim that SmileDirectClub, LLC’s retail stores lack on-site medical professionals. However, NAD has recommended that AAO discontinue implied claims, and certain videos containing such claims, that SmileDirectClub’s direct-to-consumer teledentistry program is risky, ineffective, that medical professionals aren't involved, that the kit is difficult to use, and that the product is ineffective. The claims were challenged by SmileDirectClub, LLC, which provides orthodontic services through its direct-to-consumer teledentistry platform enabling consumers to straighten their teeth using clear plastic aligners from home.
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2/23/2021 - NAD Recommends T-Mobile Modify Post-Merger 5G Claims to Avoid Implication that Aspirational Benefits are Imminently Available
New York, NY – February 23, 2021 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) recommended that T-Mobile, U.S., Inc. modify certain advertising claims that imply imminent availability of certain promoted benefits to T-Mobile customers as a result of the merger between T-Mobile and Sprint. The T-Mobile claims at issue included “the best 5G network,” the “most reliable 5G network,” and the “best prices” for 5G service and appeared in television and radio advertising that was discontinued in July 2020. These claims were challenged by AT&T Services, Inc.
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2/02/2021 - NAD Recommends Nanoceutical Solutions Discontinue Certain Claims for Nano Glutathione Liquid Dietary Supplement and Modify Instagram Ad
The National Advertising Division (NAD) recommended that Nanoceutical Solutions discontinue efficacy and establishment claims for its Nano Glutathione liquid dietary supplement due to a failure to provide sufficient evidence for the claims. The claims at issue were challenged by the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN). NAD also recommended that Nanoceutical Solutions modify a “Conditions Associated with LOW Glutathione” Instagram advertisement to avoid conveying the misleading message that supplementation with Nano Glutathione can prevent or reduce the risk of the listed health conditions.
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1/28/2021 - NAD Recommends L’Oréal Discontinue “#1 Dermatologist Recommended” Claim for CeraVe; Advertiser to Appeal
The National Advertising Division (NAD) recommended that L’Oréal USA discontinue claims that CeraVe is the “#1 dermatologist recommended skincare brand” and that it is the “#1 recommended non-OTC moisturizer for acne-prone skin.” The claims at issue, which appeared in online advertising, social media, and in-store materials for CeraVe skincare products, were challenged by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc., the maker of competing Neutrogena brand facial and body cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreens.
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1/07/2021 - NAD Recommends Zarbee’s Inc. Qualify Use of the Term “Natural” in its Brand-Name for Some of its Dietary Supplement Products, and Modify Additional Claims
New York, NY – January 7, 2021 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) recommended that Zarbee’s qualify its use of the term “natural” in the Zarbee’s Naturals brand name when some or all the essential or key ingredients used in its products are not naturally derived. NAD also recommended that Zarbee’s modify other challenged claims for its Zarbee’s Naturals line of health-related remedies and supplements to clarify which ingredients are natural and which are not. The claims at issue, which appeared on product packages and in online advertising, were challenged by P&G.
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1/06/2021 - NAD Finds Certain Claims for PLx Pharma’s Vazalore Immediate-Release Aspirin Supported; Recommends Modification or Discontinuation of Others
New York, NY – January 6, 2020 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) determined that PLx Pharma provided a reasonable basis for certain claims for its Vazalore immediate-release aspirin product, including that there is a “new delivery system for this lifesaving drug” and “we took a different approach.” However, NAD recommended that PLx Pharma discontinue and modify other claims. Once it becomes available for sale, Vazalore will be the only liquid-filled, immediate-release aspirin product that bypasses the stomach and is absorbed in the intestine. The claims at issue, which appeared in online advertising, were challenged by Bayer Healthcare LLC, maker of Bayer aspirin products and pertain solely to Vazalore’s use for secondary prevention.
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12/30/2020 - NAD Finds End-Of-Day Vision and Comfort Superiority Claims for PRECISION1 Daily Contact Lenses Supported; Recommends Modification of Other Claims
New York, NY – December 30, 2020 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) determined that Alcon Vision LLC provided a reasonable basis for certain superiority advertising claims for its PRECISION1 daily contact lenses. However, NAD recommended that the advertiser modify claims that “Five times more contact lens wearers ‘strongly preferred’ PRECISION1 vs. 1-Day ACUVUE MOIST” to more accurately reflect the evidence in the record, and modify its advertising to avoid conveying the message that its in vitro wettability test results relate to the PRECISION1’s vision and comfort benefits. The claims at issue were challenged by Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, maker of competing daily contact lenses.
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12/23/2020 - NAD Recommends DISH Discontinue or Modify Certain Comparative Storage Capacity and Simultaneous Recording Capability Claims for Hopper 3 DVR
New York, NY – December 23, 2020 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) recommended that DISH Network, LLC discontinue or modify express and implied claims that the DISH Hopper 3 DVR is “TV’s most powerful DVR”, “Records . . . 2 times more than our competition” (or “more shows”), and has “twice the storage space . . . as any of our competitors” (or superior storage space). The claims at issue, which appeared in internet and television advertising, were challenged by AT&T Services, Inc.
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12/22/2020 - Ontel Voluntarily Discontinues Television Commercial for Portable UV-C Light Product Following NAD Inquiry into Implied COVID-19 Messages
New York, NY – December 22, 2020 – Following an inquiry by the National Advertising Division (NAD), Ontel Products Corporation discontinued television advertising which conveyed implied messages that its Safe & Healthy portable UV-C light product protects users against COVID-19. Through its routine monitoring program, NAD challenged express and implied claims in a television commercial for the product that reasonably conveyed the unsupported message that Safe & Healthy can protect users against COVID-19.
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12/21/2020 - NAD Finds Certain Claims for AARP’s Staying Sharp Supported; Recommends Discontinuation or Modification of Brain-Health Benefit Claims
New York, NY – December 21, 2020 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) determined that AARP provided a reasonable basis for certain advertising claims regarding its Staying Sharp program when describing Staying Sharp as an educational resource and content library intended to help consumers learn about and improve their brain health. However, NAD determined that the advertiser did not provide a reasonable basis for messages that Staying Sharp games and exercises have provable brain-health benefits and recommended discontinuation or modification of such claims. The claims at issue, which appeared on AARP’s website, on social media, and in video advertising were challenged by Posit Science Corporation.