Monitoring ad claims: Media companies spark ire of FTC commissioner; Weight-loss ads cited as reason for scrutiny.(Brief Article)

Advertising Age, April, 2002 by Teinowitz, Ira

Upset that a growing number of weight-loss and vitamin ads with dubious success claims are finding their way into major media, a Federal Trade Commission member is warning media companies they could face consumer-protection charges if they don't rein in the ads.

FTC Commissioner Sheila Anthony last week said she would prefer media companies acted voluntarily to halt the ads or submit the claims to self-regulatory processes. But she also said the FTC feels media companies have too long ignored its requests to act voluntarily.

``There is nothing in the FTC act that prevents us [from going after media companies],'' said Ms. Anthony, a Democrat serving on the Republican-majority, five-member commission. ``We are looking at all advertising and where it is...

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