POM vs FTC - end game?
The long-running legal battle between POM Wonderful and the Federal Trade Commission reached a conclusion of sorts, with both sides claiming victory
In his 335-page ruling, administrative law judge Michael Chappell explored what might constitute ‘competent and reliable scientific evidence’ to back claims such as ‘supports prostate health’.
Contrary to the FTC’s position - expressed in several recent consent decrees - Chappell concluded that so-called 'gold-standard', randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled human clinical trials (RCTs) are not essential for supporting structure-function claims on foods and supplements and are “not necessarily” even essential for products marketed as reducing the risk of disease.
