Health Claims

Companies must support their advertising claims with solid proof.  This is especially true for businesses that market food, over-the-counter drugs, dietary supplements, contact lenses, and other health-related products.

Advertising FAQ's: A Guide for Small Business [PDF]

Focusing on federal truth-in-advertising standards, this A-to-Z primer is an essential resource for businesses of any size.

Cereal Violations? Sharable

If you make health claims about your product – especially when it comes to children’s health – take a note from the FTC’s settlement with Kellogg by learning how to substantiate your representations.

Complying with the Contact Lens Rule [PDF]

As an eye care provider, you must give patients a copy of their contact lens and eyeglass prescriptions. These Q&As can help you learn more about your duties.

Dietary Supplements: An Advertising Guide for Industry [PDF]

All companies – including marketers of dietary supplements – must comply with truth-in-advertising standards. This publication explains the how-tos of making sure your claims have appropriate scientific support.

Ex(pert) Marks the Spot Sharable

Endorsements from experts – and people consumers perceive as experts – can be a persuasive marketing tool. But if your ads feature expert endorsers, you need to know about the FTC’s Endorsement Guides.

Last Shill and “Test”-ament Sharable

When marketers truthfully highlight test results in their ads, consumers can use the information to select products that best suit their needs. But when companies misstate studies, exaggerate the outcome, or otherwise “fidget with the digits,” they can expect to hear from the cops on the advertising beat.

Red Flag: Bogus Weight Loss Claims [PDF] [En español]

Guide for media on detecting bogus weight loss claims in ads. How to spot false claims for weight loss, and help protect your customers, your bottom line, your reputation, and the good name of your legitimate advertisers.

Skin Deep Sharable

When it comes to substantiation, what matters is what you promise and not the aisle where your products are sold. Even if you categorize your product as a cosmetic, you still need to substantiate objective product claims.

Substantiation: The Science of Compliance Sharable

If advertising claims relate to health, safety or product efficacy, marketers must back them up with competent and reliable scientific evidence. Here are tips to help your business avoid a “proof goof.”

The Contact Lens Rule: A Guide for Prescribers and Sellers [PDF]

Consumers have the right to shop around when buying contact lenses – and prescribers and sellers have specific legal obligations. Are you complying with the Contact Lens Rule?

Voluntary Guidelines for Providers of Weight Loss Products or Services [PDF]

These guidelines, developed by a panel of weight management companies, medical professionals, and consumer protection groups, can help you give consumers the accurate information they need when evaluating weight loss products and services.

Weighing the Evidence: Substantiating Claims for Weight Loss Products Sharable

Marketers of diet products must support what they say with sound science. Do your weight loss claims measure up?