BBB National Programs Decision Summaries

The Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU) has recommended  Ideavillage Products Corporation, in future advertising, feature products that are available at retail, accurately disclose how the product performs and make any material disclosures in audio format. The company has agreed to do so.

The Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU) has recommended that Zuru Inc., the maker of products that include the “Finding Dory: Swimming Dory and Bailey Robofish,” modify broadcast advertising for the toys to address CARU’s safety concerns over swimming pool scenes. The company has agreed to do so.

The Electronic Retailing Self-Regulation Program (ERSP) has determined that AmazeRx, Ltd., can support the general efficacy claims it makes for the AmazeRx meal replacement product at the company’s Website. However, ERSP  recommended the marketer modify or discontinue claims made at a third-party Website and in broadcast advertising. The marketer’s advertising was brought to ERSP’s attention by  a consumer complaint.

The Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU) has referred television advertising for the Paramount Pictures’ film “Iron Man 2” to the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) for further review.

The Children’s Advertising Review Unit has recommended that MEGA Brands modify broadcast advertising for the company’s “Battle Strikers Turbo Tops” to better disclose that batteries are not included with the initial purchase.

The Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU) has recommended that McDonald’s take care to assure in future advertising directed to children that commercials focus on the advertised food product and not on the premium.

The Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU) has recommended Mattel, Inc., modify the website Shop.mattel.com, to better protect children’s privacy.

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (“DSSRC”) has referred certain health-related claims made by New U Life, Inc. (“New U Life” or the “Company”) for its Somaderm hGH transdermal gel to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for possible enforcement action after the Company failed to comply with DSSRC’s recommendations to modify or discontinue such claims. The health-related product claims at issue in DSSRC’s inquiry pertained to product efficacy as well as claims that Somaderm product was “FDA Registered” and that the product had clinical applications. In addition, the DSSRC inquiry also included a number of additional health-related claims (e.g., “Regrowth of heart, liver, spleen, kidney and other organs that shrink with age”; “14.4% loss of fat on average after six months without dieting”; “Superior immune function”; “Greater cardiac output”; “Superior immune function,” etc.) and a number of before-and-after depictions purportedly demonstrating the results received from using the product.

The Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU) has recommended that Cepia LLC, modify broadcast advertising for “Kung Zhu Pets Battling Hamsters” and related products to more clearly disclose which items come the initial purchase.

The Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU) has determined that advertising for MEGA Brands, Inc., “Dragons Universe” construction sets could, through the use of computer-generated imagery, mislead children as to the capabilities of the advertised toys.