Analysis of Proposed Consent Order to Aid Public Comment

The Federal Trade Commission has accepted, subject to final approval, an agreement containing consent order from respondent QVC, Inc. ("QVC").

The proposed consent order has been placed on the public record for sixty (60) days for reception of comments by interested persons. Comments received during this period will become part of the public record. After sixty (60) days, the Commission will again review the agreement and the comments received and will decide whether it should withdraw from the agreement or make final the agreement's proposed order.

This matter involves alleged deceptive representations for Cold-Eeze Zinc Lozenges and Cold-Eezer Plus Zinc Gluconate Lozenges (hereinafter, collectively "Cold-Eeze").

The Commission's proposed complaint alleges that QVC made unsubstantiated representations that Cold-Eeze will prevent users from contracting colds and pneumonia; will treat allergies; and will reduce the severity of colds in children

The proposed consent order contains provisions designed to prevent respondent from engaging in similar acts and practices in the future.

Part I of the proposed order prohibits the respondent from making the representations about Cold-Eeze challenged in the complaint, unless it possesses and relies upon competent and reliable scientific evidence that substantiates the representation.

Part II of the proposed order prohibits the respondent from making any representation that any dietary supplement can or will cure, treat or prevent any disease, or have any effect on the structure or function of the human body, unless it possesses and relies upon competent and reliable scientific evidence that substantiates the representation.

Part III of the proposed order allows the respondent to make any representations for any drug that are permitted in labeling for the drug under any tentative final or final Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") standard or under any new drug application approved by the FDA.

Part IV of the proposed order allows the respondent to make representations for any product that are specifically permitted in labeling for that product by regulations issued by the FDA under the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990.

Parts V through VIII require the respondent to keep copies of advertisements making representations covered by the order; to keep records concerning those representations, including material that they relied upon when making the representations; to provide copies of the order to certain of the respondents' personnel; to notify the Commission of changes in corporate structure; and to file compliance reports with the Commission.

Part IX of the proposed order is a "sunset" provision, dictating that the order will terminate twenty years from the date it is issued or twenty years after a complaint is filed in federal court, by either the United States or the FTC, alleging any violation of the order.

The purpose of this analysis is to facilitate public comment on the proposed order. It is not intended to constitute an official interpretation of the agreement and proposed order or to modify in any way their terms.