9723032 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA In the Matter of EFFICIENT LABS, INC. a corporation, and BLAS REYES-REYES, individually and as an officer of the corporation. DOCKET NO.C-3768 COMPLAINT The Federal Trade Commission, having reason to believe that Efficient Labs, Inc., a corporation, and Blas Reyes-Reyes, individually and as an officer of the corporation ("respondents"), have violated the provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Act, and it appearing to the Commission that this proceeding is in the public interest, alleges: 1. Respondent Efficient Labs, Inc. is a corporation organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, with its principal office or place of business at 413 San Jorge Street, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00912. 2. Respondent Blas Reyes-Reyes is an officer of the corporate respondent. Individually or in concert with others, he formulates, directs, participates in, or controls the policies, acts, or practices of the corporation, including the acts or practices alleged in this complaint. His principal office or place of business is the same as that of Efficient Labs, Inc. 3. Respondents have advertised, offered for sale, sold, and distributed products to the public, including “Venoflash,” a nutritional supplement with ingredients that include Niacin U.S.P.; Vitamins B-1, B-6, B-12, C, and E; and various plant derivatives. Venoflash purportedly, among other things, treats the symptoms of varicose veins and hemorrhoids. “Venoflash” is a “food” and/or “drug” within the meaning of Sections 12 and 15 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 52,55. 4. The acts and practices of respondents alleged in this complaint have been in or affecting commerce, as "commerce" is defined in Section 4 of the Federal Trade Commission Act. 5. Respondents have disseminated or have caused to be disseminated print and television advertisements for Venoflash that have appeared in Miami’s El Nuevo Herald, and have been broadcast and cablecast on Telemundo de Puerto Rico, Univision 41(WXTV-New York), Telemundo (T47/WNJU New York), Univision 23 (WLTV-Miami), and Telemundo de Florida. These print and television advertisements, including but not necessarily limited to the attached Exhibit A (transcript of a television advertisement), contain the following statements:
(Exhibit A) 6. Through the means described in Paragraph 5, respondents have represented, expressly or by implication, that:
7. Through the means described in Paragraph 5, respondents have represented, expressly or by implication, that they possessed and relied upon a reasonable basis that substantiated the representations set forth in Paragraph 6 at the time the representations were made. 8. In truth and in fact, respondents did not possess and rely upon a reasonable basis that substantiated the representations set forth in Paragraph 6 at the time the representations were made. Therefore, the representation set forth in Paragraph 7 was, and is, false or misleading. 9. The acts and practices of respondents as alleged in this complaint constitute unfair or deceptive acts or practices, and the making of false advertisements, in or affecting commerce in violation of Sections 5(a) and 12 of the Federal Trade Commission Act. THEREFORE, the Federal Trade Commission this twelfth day of September, 1997, has issued this complaint against respondents. By the Commission. Donald S. Clark SEAL: [Exhibit A attached to paper copies of complaint, but not available in electronic form.] |