002-3226
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
BEFORE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
- COMMISSIONERS:
- Timothy J. Muris, Chairman
- Sheila F. Anthony
- Mozelle W. Thompson
- Orson Swindle
- Thomas B. Leary
In the Matter of
FORMOR, INC., a corporation, also doing business as
ForMor International, and
STAN GOSS, individually and as an officer of the corporation.
DOCKET NO. C-4021
DECISION AND ORDER
The Federal Trade Commission ("Commission"), having initiated an
investigation of certain acts and practices of the respondents named in the caption
hereof, and the respondents having been furnished thereafter with a copy of a draft of
complaint which the Commission's Northeast Region proposed to present to the Commission
for its consideration and which, if issued by the Commission, would charge respondents
with violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act; and
The respondents and counsel for the Commission having thereafter executed an agreement
containing a consent order, an admission by the respondents of all the jurisdictional
facts set forth in the aforesaid draft of complaint, a statement that the signing of said
agreement is for settlement purposes only and does not constitute an admission by
respondents that the law has been violated as alleged in such complaint, or that the facts
as alleged in such complaint, other than jurisdictional facts, are true and waivers and
other provisions as required by the Commission's Rules; and
The Commission, having thereafter considered the matter and having determined that it
had reason to believe that the respondents have violated the said Act, and that a
complaint should issue stating its charges in that respect, and having thereupon accepted
the executed consent agreement and placed such agreement on the public record for a period
of thirty (30) days, now in further conformity with the procedure prescribed in Section
2.34 of its Rules, the Commission hereby issues its complaint, makes the following
jurisdictional findings and enters the following order:
- 1a. Respondent ForMor, Inc. d/b/a ForMor International ("ForMor") is an
Arkansas corporation with its principal office or place of business at P.O. Box 2080,
Conway, Arkansas 72033.
1b. Respondent Stan Goss is an officer of the corporate respondent. Individually or in
concert with others, he formulates, directs, or controls the policies, acts, or practices
of the corporation. His business address is P.O. Box 2080, Conway, Arkansas 72033.
-
- 2. The Federal Trade Commission has jurisdiction of the subject matter of this
proceeding and of the respondents, and the proceeding is in the public interest.
ORDER
DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this order, the following definitions shall apply:
- A. Unless otherwise specified, "respondents" shall mean
ForMor, Inc. doing business as ForMor International, a corporation, its successors and
assigns and its officers; Stan Goss, individually and as an officer of the corporation;
and each of the above's agents, representatives, and employees.
-
- B. "Commerce" shall mean as defined in Section 4 of the
Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. § 44.
-
- C. "Competent and reliable scientific evidence" shall mean
tests, analyses, research, studies, or other evidence based on the expertise of
professionals in the relevant area, that have been conducted and evaluated in an objective
manner by persons qualified to do so, using procedures generally accepted in the
profession to yield accurate and reliable results.
-
- D. "Product Label" shall mean any label or other written,
printed, or graphic matter upon any product or accompanying any product, including package
labels, bottle labels, and package inserts.
-
- E. "Clear(ly) and prominent(ly)" shall mean as follows:
-
- 1. In an advertisement communicated through an electronic medium (such as television,
video, radio, and interactive media such as the Internet, online services and software),
the disclosure shall be presented simultaneously in both the audio and visual portions of
the advertisement. Provided, however, that in any advertisement
presented solely through visual or audio means, the disclosure may be made through the
same means in which the ad is presented. Provided, further, that
in any advertisement communicated through interactive media which is presented
predominantly through visual or audio means, the disclosure may be made through the same
means in which the ad is predominantly presented. The audio disclosure shall be delivered
in a volume and cadence sufficient for an ordinary consumer to hear and comprehend it. The
visual disclosure shall be of a size and shade, with a degree of contrast to the
background against which it appears, and shall appear on the screen for a duration and in
a location, sufficiently noticeable for an ordinary consumer to read and comprehend it.
-
- 2. In a print advertisement, promotional material, or
instructional manual, the disclosure shall be in a type size and location sufficiently
noticeable for an ordinary consumer to read and comprehend it, in print that contrasts
with the background against which it appears. In multi-page documents, the disclosure
shall appear on the cover or, alternatively, on the first page.
3. On a product label, the disclosure shall be in a type size
and location sufficiently noticeable for an ordinary consumer to read and comprehend it
and in print that contrasts with the background against which it appears. Provided,
however, if a disclosure on a bottle label or package label is made in a
location other than the principal display panel, the bottle label or package label shall
include the statement, "See important safety warning(s) on [insert disclosure
location]," as follows: (i) in a type size and location on the principal
display panel sufficiently noticeable for an ordinary consumer to read and comprehend it;
(ii) in print that contrasts with the background against which it appears; and
(iii) within a border that is a color or shade that contrasts with the background against
which it appears. Provided further, that in a multi-page insert,
the disclosure shall appear on the cover page or first page.
-
- Nothing contrary to, inconsistent with, or in mitigation of
the disclosure shall be used in any advertisement or on any label.
-
- F. In the case of advertisements disseminated by
means of an interactive electronic medium, such as software, the Internet, or online
services, "in close proximity" shall mean on the same Web page,
online service page, or other electronic page, and proximate to the triggering
representation, and shall not include disclosures accessed or displayed through
hyperlinks, pop-ups, interstitials or other means.
G. "Purchaser for resale" shall
mean any purchaser of any of respondents' St. John's Wort, colloidal silver, or shark
cartilage products who orders: (a) five (5) or more units of any such product(s) at any
one time; or (b) twenty (20) or more units of any such products(s) in any three (3) month
period.
H. "Food," "drug," and
"device" shall mean as "food," "drug," and
"device" are defined in Section 15 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15
U.S.C. § 55.
I. "Covered product or service" shall mean any service,
program, dietary supplement, food, drug, or device.
-
- J. "St. John's Wort product" shall
mean ForMor, Inc.'s St. John's Kava Kava or any covered product or service for which the
term "Hypericum Perforatum" or "St. John's Wort" appears on the
covered product or service label or in any advertising or promotion, and any covered
product or service containing "Hypericum Perforatum" or "St. John's
Wort."
-
- K. "Colloidal silver product"
shall mean ForMor, Inc.'s colloidal silver or any covered product or service label for
which the term "colloidal silver" or "silver salts" appears on the
covered product or service label or in any advertising or promotion, and any covered
product or service containing "colloidal silver" or "silver salts."
-
- L. "Shark cartilage product"
shall mean ForMor, Inc.'s Ultimate II Shark Cartilage Concentrate or any covered product
or service label for which the term "shark cartilage" appears on the covered
product or service label or any advertising or promotion, and any covered product or
service containing "shark cartilage."
M. A requirement that respondents "notify the Commission," "file
with the Commission" or "deliver to the
Commission" shall mean that the respondents shall send the necessary
information via first-class mail, costs prepaid, to the Associate Director for Division of
Enforcement, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20580. Attention: In the Matter of ForMor, Inc.
N. "Person" shall mean a natural person, organization or other
legal entity, including a partnership, corporation, proprietorship, association,
cooperative, or any other group acting together as an entity.
ORDER
I.
IT IS ORDERED that respondents, directly
or through any corporation, subsidiary, division, trade name, or other device, in
connection with the manufacturing, labeling, advertising, promotion, offering for sale,
sale, or distribution of any St. John's Wort product, or any covered product or service in
or affecting commerce, shall not make any representation, in any manner, expressly or by
implication, that ingestion of such product is effective in the treatment of HIV/AIDS,
colds, syphilis, tuberculosis, dysentery, whooping cough, mania, hypochondria, fatigue, or
hysteria unless, at the time the representation is made, respondents possess and rely upon
competent and reliable scientific evidence that substantiates the representation.
II.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondents,
directly or through any corporation, subsidiary, division, trade name, or other device, in
connection with the manufacturing, labeling, advertising, promotion, offering for sale,
sale, or distribution of any St. John's Wort product in or affecting commerce, shall not
make any representation, in any manner, expressly or by implication, that ingestion of
such product has no serious drug interactions.
III.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that in any
advertisement, promotional material, or product label for any St. John's Wort product,
that contains any representation about the efficacy, performance, or safety of such
product, and in any discussion, communicated via electronic mail or any telephone line,
that contains any representation about the efficacy, performance, or safety of any St.
John's Wort product, respondents, directly or through any corporation, subsidiary,
division, trade name, or other device, shall make clearly and prominently, the following
disclosure:
WARNING: St. John's Wort can have
potentially dangerous interactions with some prescription drugs. Consult your physician
before taking St. John's Wort if you are currently taking anticoagulants, oral
contraceptives, anti-depressants, anti-seizure medications, drugs to treat HIV or prevent
transplant rejection, or any other prescription drug. This product is not recommended for
use if you are or could be pregnant unless a qualified health care provider tells you to
use it. The product may not be safe for your developing baby.
unless respondents possess competent and reliable
scientific evidence that such product produces no adverse drug interactions or side
effects.
Provided, however, that the product
label requirements of this Part shall not apply to products that are shipped to
consumers or purchasers for resale less than thirty (30) days after the date of service of
this order; and, provided further, that with regard to products
shipped after thirty (30) days of the date of service of this order, respondents may affix
the disclosure clearly and prominently by sticker or other device on the labels of
products manufactured prior to thirty (30) days after the service of this order.
Provided further, that in the
event that the Food and Drug Administration issues a final rule requiring a warning on the
labeling of products containing St. John's Wort, respondents may substitute that warning
for the disclosure required under this Part.
IV.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondents,
directly or through any corporation, subsidiary, division, trade name, or other device, in
connection with the manufacturing, labeling, advertising, promotion, offering for sale,
sale, or distribution of any colloidal silver product in or affecting commerce, shall not
make any misrepresentation, in any manner, expressly or by implication, that:
- A. Ingestion of colloidal silver is proven effective in the
treatment of disease or any number of diseases; or
-
- B. Medical studies demonstrate that ingestion of colloidal
silver is safe or has no adverse side effects.
V.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondents,
directly or through any corporation, subsidiary, division, trade name, or other device, in
connection with the manufacturing, labeling, advertising, promotion, offering for sale,
sale, or distribution of any colloidal silver product, or any covered product or service
in or affecting commerce, shall not make any representation, expressly or by implication,
that ingestion of colloidal silver is effective in the treatment of arthritis, blood
poisoning, cancer, cholera, diphtheria, diabetes, dysentery, gonorrheal herpes, influenza,
leprosy, lupus, malaria, meningitis, rheumatism, shingles, staph infections, strep
infections, syphilis, tuberculosis, whooping cough, or yeast infections unless, at the
time the representation is made, respondents possess and rely upon competent and reliable
scientific evidence that substantiates the representation.
VI.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondents,
directly or through any corporation, subsidiary, division, trade name, or other device, in
connection with the manufacturing, labeling, advertising, promotion, offering for sale,
sale, or distribution of any shark cartilage product, or any covered product or service in
or affecting commerce, shall not make any representation, in any manner, that ingestion of
such product:
- A. Is effective in the treatment of arthritis or other
degenerative or inflammatory conditions; or
-
- B. Is effective in the treatment of brain cancer;
unless, at the time the representation is made,
respondents possess and rely upon competent and reliable scientific evidence that
substantiates the representation.
VII.
IT FURTHER ORDERED that respondents,
directly or through any corporation, subsidiary, division, trade name, or other device, in
connection with the manufacturing, labeling, advertising, promotion, offering for sale,
sale, or distribution of any covered product or service in or affecting commerce, shall
not misrepresent, in any manner, expressly or by implication, the existence, contents,
validity, results, conclusions, or interpretations of any test, study, or research.
VIII.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondents,
directly or through any corporation, subsidiary, division, trade name, or other device, in
connection with the manufacturing, labeling, advertising, promotion, offering for sale,
sale, or distribution of any covered product or service in or affecting commerce, shall
not represent, in any manner, expressly or by implication, that the experience represented
by any user testimonial or endorsement of the covered product or service represents the
typical or ordinary experience of members of the public who use the covered product or
service, unless:
- A. At the time the representation is made, respondents
possess and rely upon competent and reliable scientific evidence that substantiates the
representation; or
-
- B. Respondents disclose, clearly and prominently, and in
close proximity to the endorsement or testimonial, either:
-
- 1. What the generally expected results would be for users
of the covered product or service; or
2. The limited applicability of the endorser's experience to
what consumers may generally expect to achieve, that is, that consumers should not expect
to experience similar results.
For purposes of this Part, "endorsement" shall
mean as defined in 16 C.F.R.§ 255.0(b).
IX.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondents,
directly or through any corporation, subsidiary, division, trade name, or other device, in
connection with the manufacturing, labeling, advertising, promotion, offering for sale,
sale, or distribution of any St. John's Wort product, colloidal silver product, shark
cartilage product, or any covered product or service in or affecting commerce, shall not
make any representation, in any manner, expressly or by implication:
- A. That such covered product or service is effective in the
mitigation, treatment, prevention, or cure of any disease or illness; or
-
- B. About the health benefits, performance, safety, or
efficacy of any such covered product or service;
unless, at the time the representation is made,
respondents possess and rely upon competent and reliable scientific evidence that
substantiates the representation.
X.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondents
shall:
- A. Within seven (7) days after service of this order upon
respondents, deliver to the Commission a list, in the form of a sworn affidavit, of all
persons who purchased, on or after January 1, 1999, a St. John's Wort product from
respondents. Such list shall include each purchaser's name and address, and, if available,
telephone number and email address, and shall designate whether each purchaser is a
"purchaser for resale" as defined in this order.
- B. Within seven (7) days after service of this order upon
respondents, deliver to the Commission a list, in the form of a sworn affidavit, of all
persons who purchased, on or after January 1, 1999, a colloidal silver and/or shark
cartilage product from respondents. Such list shall include each purchaser's name and
address, and, if available, telephone number and email address, the full purchase price,
including shipping, handling, and taxes, of any colloidal silver and/or shark cartilage
product purchased from respondent, and shall designate whether each purchaser is a
"purchaser for resale" as defined in this order.
-
- C. Within thirty (30) days after service of this order upon
respondents, send by first class mail, with postage prepaid, an exact copy of the notice
attached hereto as Attachment A, showing the date of mailing, to each person who purchased
from respondent any St. John's Wort product, colloidal silver product, and/or shark
cartilage product between January 1, 1999 and the date of service of this order. This
mailing shall not include any other document.
XI.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondents
shall refund the full purchase price of colloidal silver and shark cartilage products
purchased from respondents between January 1, 1999 and the date of service of this order,
including shipping and handling and applicable taxes, to each purchaser whose request for
a refund is received by ForMor within ninety (90) days after the date of mailing shown on
Attachment A. To receive a refund the purchaser must substantially complete a Refund
Request in the form of the Refund Request appended to Attachment A and return it to
ForMor, Inc. at the address indicated thereon. The refund shall be paid within fifteen
(15) business days of respondents' receipt of the purchaser's substantially completed
declaration.
XII.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondents
shall, no later than one hundred and eighty (180) days after the date of service of this
order, deliver to the Commission a report, in the form of a sworn affidavit executed on
behalf of respondents. This report shall specify the steps respondents have taken to
comply with the terms of Part X and XI of this order and shall state, without limitation:
- A. The name and address of each purchaser to whom
respondents sent the notice attached hereto as Attachment A as required under Part X;
-
- B. The name and address of each purchaser from whom
respondents received a refund request;
-
- C. The date on which each request was received and the
amount of the refund requested;
-
- D. The amount of the refund provided by respondents to each
such purchaser;
E. The status of any disputed refund request and the
identification of each purchaser whose refund request is disputed, by name, address, and
amount of the claim; and
-
- F. The total amount of refunds paid by respondents.
XIII.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondents,
directly or through any corporation, subsidiary, division, trade name, or other device,
shall:
- A. Take reasonable steps sufficient to monitor and ensure
that all employees and agents engaged in sales, order verification, or other customer
service functions comply with Parts I through IX of this order. Such steps shall include
adequate monitoring of all advertisements, promotions, sales presentations, and other oral
and written communication with customers regarding such products. Respondents, at a
minimum, shall:
-
- 1. Conduct periodic monitoring of representations
concerning St. John's Wort, colloidal silver, and shark cartilage products, and any other
covered product or service, made by persons engaged in sales or other customer service
functions, including representations made orally or through electronic communications;
-
- 2. Conduct periodic monitoring of representations made
about St. John's Wort, colloidal silver, and shark cartilage products, and any other
covered product or service, on all Internet websites operated and maintained by
respondents; and
-
- 3. Establish a procedure for receiving, maintaining, and
responding to consumer complaints.
-
- B. Terminate any employee or agent who knowingly engages in
any conduct prohibited by Parts I through IX of this order once respondents know or should
know that such person is or has been engaged in such conduct.
XIV.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondents,
directly or through any corporation, subsidiary, division, trade name, or other device,
shall:
- A. For a period of three (3) years following the entry of
this order, send a copy of the notice attached hereto as Attachment A to each purchaser
for resale of any St. John's Wort product, colloidal silver product, or shark cartilage
product who has not previously received the notice. Such notice shall be sent either by
first class certified mail, return receipt requested, within one week from the shipment of
product triggering the obligation to provide notice or shall be included, in a conspicuous
manner, with such shipment.
-
- B. In the event that respondents receive any information
that subsequent to receipt of a copy of the notice attached hereto as Attachment A any
purchaser for resale is using or disseminating any advertisement or promotional material,
or making any oral statement, that contains any representation that is prohibited by Parts
I, II, or IV through IX of this order, or that does not contain the disclosure required
pursuant to Part III of this order, respondents shall promptly investigate such
information and upon verification shall immediately terminate, and shall not resume, sales
or shipments to such purchaser for resale.
XV.
Nothing in this order shall prohibit respondents from
making any representation for any drug that is permitted in labeling for such drug under
any tentative final or final standard promulgated by the Food and Drug Administration, or
under any drug application approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Nor shall it
prohibit respondent from making any representation for any product that is specifically
permitted in labeling for such product by regulations promulgated by the Food and Drug
Administration pursuant to the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990.
XVI.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent
ForMor, Inc., and its successors and assigns, and respondent Stan Goss shall, for five (5)
years after the last date of dissemination of any representation covered by this order,
maintain and upon request make available to the Federal Trade Commission for inspection
and copying:
- A. All advertisements and promotional materials containing
the representation;
-
- B. All materials that were relied upon in disseminating the
representation; and
-
- C. All tests, reports, studies, surveys, demonstrations, or
other evidence in their possession or control that contradict, qualify, or call into
question the representation, or the basis relied upon for the representation, including
complaints and other communications with consumers or with governmental or consumer
protection organizations.
XVII.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent
ForMor, Inc., and its successors and assigns, and respondent Stan Goss, shall deliver a
copy of this order to all current and future principals, officers, directors, and
managers, and to all current and future employees, agents, and representatives having
responsibilities with respect to the subject matter of this order, and shall secure from
each such person a signed and dated statement acknowledging receipt of the order.
Respondents shall deliver this order to current personnel within thirty (30) days after
the date of service of this order, and to future personnel within fifteen (15) days after
the person assumes such position or responsibilities.
XVIII.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent
ForMor, Inc. and its successors and assigns shall notify the Commission at least thirty
(30) days prior to any change in the corporation that may affect compliance obligations
arising under this order, including but not limited to a dissolution, assignment, sale,
merger, or other action that would result in the emergence of a successor corporation; the
creation or dissolution of a subsidiary, parent, or affiliate that engages in any acts or
practices subject to this order; the proposed filing of a bankruptcy petition; or a change
in the corporate name or address.
Provided, however, that, with respect to any
proposed change in the corporation about which respondent learns less than thirty (30)
days prior to the date such action is to take place, respondent shall notify the
Commission as soon as is practicable after obtaining such knowledge.
XIX.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent
Stan Goss, for a period of three (3) years after the date of issuance of this order, shall
notify the Commission of the discontinuance of his current business or employment, or of
his affiliation with any new business or employment. The notice shall include respondent's
new business address and telephone number and a description of the nature of the business
or employment and his duties and responsibilities.
XX.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent
ForMor, Inc., and its successors and assigns, and respondent Stan Goss shall, within sixty
(60) days after the date of service of this order, and at such other times as the Federal
Trade Commission may require, file with the Commission a report, in writing, setting forth
in detail the manner and form in which they have complied with this order.
XXI.
- This order will terminate on July 30, 2021, or twenty (20)
years from the most recent date that the United States or the Federal Trade Commission
files a complaint (with or without an accompanying consent decree) in federal court
alleging any violation of the order, whichever comes later; provided, however, that the filing of such a complaint will not affect the duration
of:
A. Any Part of this order that terminates in less than twenty
(20) years;
-
- B. This order's application to any respondent that is not
named as a defendant in any such complaint; and
C. This order if such complaint is filed after the order has
terminated pursuant to this Part.
Provided, further, that if such complaint is dismissed or a federal court
rules that the respondent did not violate any provision of the order, and the dismissal or
ruling is either not appealed or upheld on appeal, then the order will terminate according
to this Part as though the complaint had never been filed, except that the order will not
terminate between the date such complaint is filed and the later of the deadline for
appealing such dismissal or ruling and the date such dismissal or ruling is upheld on
appeal.
By the Commission.
Benjamin I. Berman
Acting Secretary
ISSUED: July 30, 2001
SEAL
ATTACHMENT A
[Insert Date]
Dear ForMor Customer,
This letter is to inform you that ForMor, Inc. recently settled a dispute with the
Federal Trade Commission regarding our advertising for St. John's Kava Kava, Colloidal
Silver, and Ultimate II Shark Cartilage Concentrate products. Under the terms of our
settlement, we agreed to offer refunds to purchasers of Colloidal Silver and Shark
Cartilage products. Refund instructions are contained in the last page of this
letter. We also agreed to notify purchasers of St. John's Wort products of serious
drug interactions that may result from use of those products. The settlement
further requires us to instruct resellers to stop using advertising or promotional
materials that make any of the representations prohibited by the settlement. Our
distributor agreements permit resellers to use only ForMor-approved promotional materials,
and we will terminate all sales to resellers that violate that agreement.
The FTC complaint alleges that ForMor engaged in deceptive advertising of its St.
John's Kava Kava, Colloidal Silver, and Ultimate II Shark Cartilage Concentrate products,
and the FTC order imposes various requirements on ForMor in connection with its past and
future advertising of these and other products.
St. John's Kava Kava.
The FTC complaint alleges that our advertising materials claimed, expressly or by
implication, that use of St. John's Kava Kava, which contains St. John's Wort, is
effective in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, colds, syphilis, tuberculosis, dysentery, whooping
cough, mania, hypochondria, fatigue, and hysteria; and that ingestion of St. John's Kava Kava has no serious drug interactions. The
complaint challenges these claims. In particular, the FTC notes that ingestion of St. John's Kava Kava has the
potential for serious drug interactions with certain prescription medications. Ingestion
of St. John's Wort may reduce the effectiveness of drugs used to treat HIV/AIDS, drugs
used to prevent organ transplant rejection, anticoagulants, and birth control pills.
The FTC order prohibits us from making any of the challenged claims unless we have
competent and reliable scientific evidence to support them. In addition, it requires us to
state clearly and prominently in any advertisement of any St. John's Wort product the
following, unless we have competent and reliable scientific evidence that the product
produces no adverse drug interactions or side effects:
WARNING: St. John's Wort can have
potentially dangerous interactions with some prescription drugs. Consult your physician
before taking St. John's Wort if you are currently taking anticoagulants, oral
contraceptives, anti-depressants, anti-seizure medications, drugs to treat HIV or prevent
transplant rejection, or any other prescription drug. This
product is not recommended for use if you are or could be pregnant unless a qualified
health care provider tells you to use it. The product may not be safe for your developing
baby.
- The FTC complaint alleges that our advertising materials claimed, expressly or by
implication, that Colloidal Silver is proven effective in the treatment of over 650
infectious diseases; and that medical tests prove that ingestion of Colloidal Silver is
safe and has no adverse side effects. The complaint alleges that these claims are false or
misleading. According to the FTC complaint, our advertising materials also claimed,
expressly or by implication, that ingestion of Colloidal Silver is effective in the
treatment of arthritis, blood poisoning, cancer, cholera, diphtheria, diabetes, dysentery,
gonorrheal herpes, influenza, leprosy, lupus, malaria, meningitis, rheumatism, shingles,
staph infections, strep infections, syphilis, tuberculosis, whooping cough, and yeast
infections. The complaint alleges that the information on which we relied in making these
claims was not competent and reliable scientific evidence, as required by law. The
complaint notes in particular that the United States Food and Drug Administration
previously determined that adequate scientific evidence did not support the safety and
efficacy of Colloidal Silver. In addition, the complaint alleges that we misrepresented,
in our use of testimonials, that the experiences recited reflected the typical experience
of persons with cancer who use the product.
-
- The FTC order prohibits us from making any of the challenged claims unless we have
competent and reliable scientific evidence to support them. In addition, it prohibits us
from misrepresenting that ingestion of Colloidal Silver is proven effective in the
treatment of disease or any number of diseases; and that medical tests prove that
ingestion of Colloidal Silver is safe and has no adverse side effects.
- Ultimate II Shark Cartilage Concentrate.
- The FTC complaint also alleges, among other things, that our advertising expressly or
implicitly claimed that Ultimate II Shark Cartilage Concentrate is effective in the
treatment of arthritis and other degenerative or inflammatory conditions and cancer, and
that we did not have competent and reliable scientific evidence for those claims. In
addition, the complaint alleges that we misrepresented, in our use of testimonials, that
the experiences recited reflected the typical experience of persons with brain cancer who
use the product.
-
- The FTC order prohibits our making therapeutic efficacy, safety, and certain other
claims unless we have competent and reliable scientific evidence to support them
- All Foods, Drugs, Dietary Supplements, Devices, Programs, or Services.
- In addition, the FTC order provides that we must not claim that any food, drug, dietary
supplement, device, program, or service is effective in the mitigation, treatment,
prevention, or cure of any disease or illness or make any claim about the health benefits,
performance, safety, or efficacy of any such product or service unless we have competent
and reliable scientific evidence for such claims.
Again, you may obtain a refund for purchases of Colloidal Silver and Shark
Cartilage products by following the instructions on the last page of this letter. If
you have any questions, please contact our Customer/Member Service representative, toll
free, at 888/270-4793. Thank you for your cooperation and your business.
Sincerely,
Stan Goss, President
ForMor, Inc.
- copy:
- Associate Director, Division of Enforcement
- Bureau of Consumer Protection
- Federal Trade Commission
- Washington, D.C. 20580
COLLOIDAL SILVER AND SHARK CARTILAGE PRODUCT
REFUND CONDITIONS AND PROCEDURES
ForMor, Inc. ("ForMor") will refund the full purchase price of Colloidal
Silver and Shark Cartilage products purchased from ForMor between January 1, 1999 and
[insert effective date of order], including shipping and handling and applicable taxes, to
each purchaser whose request for a refund is received by ForMor within ninety (90) days
after the date of this letter. To receive your refund you must complete the attached
Refund Request and return it to ForMor at [insert address].
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REFUND REQUEST
The undersigned hereby requests a refund for the purchase of Colloidal Silver and/or Shark Cartilage products.
Full Name (Please
Print): ________________________
ForMor ID # (if
available)__________
Address:
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
Product(s) Purchased:
__________________________
__________________________
Purchase Price, including shipping, handling, and taxes:
______________
It is not necessary to include proof of purchase,
such as credit card statements, canceled checks, or receipts, but doing so may expedite
your refund request in the event of a dispute concerning the amount of your refund.
Signature of Purchaser:
________________________________________
Date: ___________________________ |