FTC Finalizes Agreement with Former POM Wonderful Executive
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced the unanimous approval
of a final order settling charges that a former POM Wonderful LLC executive
made false and unsubstantiated claims that the company’s pomegranate products prevent or treat heart disease and prostate cancer.
Under the agreement, Mark Dreher, a former POM Wonderful vice president,
does not admit to violations of the law, but will cooperate in FTC’s investigation
and action against his former company. He also agreed to abide by the
conditions prescribed for making any health-related claims for a food or drug
product in the future and to give present and future employees copies of the
order.
According to a news source, FTC has scheduled a May 24, 2011, hearing
before an administrative law judge for POM Wonderful to respond to charges
that it has made allegedly false health-related product claims. Dreher has
agreed to participate in interviews with the agency in the matter; provide
documents, declarations, affidavits, and testimony; as well as testify at any
trial, deposition, or other proceeding. See The BLT: The Blog of Legal Times,
November 16, 2010.
