Staff of the Federal Trade Commission has sent letters warning 15 marketers of “oxodegradable” plastic waste bags that their oxodegradable, oxo biodegradable, or biodegradable claims may be deceptive. Oxodegradable plastic is made with an additive intended to cause it to degrade in the presence of oxygen. Most waste bags are intended to be deposited in […]
Monthly Archives: October 2014
FTC Approves SCI’s Applications to Divest Assets in California, Florida, and Tennessee
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved three applications by Service Corporation International (SCI) to divest certain funeral and cemetery assets, as required under the FTC’s May 2014 order settling charges that SCI’s acquisition of Stewart Enterprises, Inc. would be anticompetitive. In total, the proposed order requires the combined SCI/Stewart to […]
FTC Requests Public Comment on Community Health Systems’ Application to Approve Sale of Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center to Capella Healthcare, Inc.
The Federal Trade Commission is currently accepting public comments on an application by Community Health Systems to sell certain health care assets, as required under the FTC’s April 2014 final order settling charges that CHS’s acquisition of rival health system Health Management Associates, Inc. would likely be anticompetitive. Community Health Systems is a Tennessee-based for-profit […]
At FTC’s Request, Court Stops Supplement Marketers From Deceptive Advertising and Illegally Debiting Consumers’ Accounts
At the Federal Trade Commission’s request, a U.S. district court has temporarily stopped a group of marketers in Nevada and California from conducting business using “free” trial offers and health claims that the agency charges are deceptive and illegal to pitch green coffee bean extract and another dietary supplements. The FTC is seeking to permanently […]
Statement of FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez Regarding White House Initiative on Safeguarding Consumers’ Financial Security
Federal Trade Commission Chairwoman Edith Ramirez issued the following statement regarding the initiative to safeguard consumers’ financial security announced today by President Obama: “Identity theft has been American consumers’ number one complaint for more than a decade, and it affects people in every community across the nation. I welcome the opportunity for the Federal Trade […]
FTC Approves Final Order Preserving Competition in the Market for Over-the-Counter Motion Sickness Drugs
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that the $750 million proposed acquisition of Insight Pharmaceuticals Corporation by Dramamine maker Prestige Brands Holdings, Inc. would likely be anticompetitive. Under the order, Prestige agrees to divest assets and marketing rights for the over-the-counter motion sickness drug Bonine […]
FTC Settlement Bans Bogus Trade Association from Selling Healthcare-Related Products
A group of marketers who allegedly tricked consumers into buying phony health insurance are permanently banned from selling healthcare-related products under a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission. The settlement resolves claims that the defendants, who operated as the bogus trade association Independent Association of Businesses (IAB), preyed on consumers who sought health insurance. Consumers […]
FTC Approves Final Orders Requiring Two Professional Associations to Eliminate Rules that Restrict Competition among Their Members
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved final orders settling charges that the National Association of Residential Property Managers, Inc. (NARPM) and the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Inc. (NATS) restrained competition among their respective members through their codes of ethics. Under the FTC orders, the National Association of […]
FTC Staff Comment: Proposed Dental Services Rules in Texas Would Likely Reduce the Benefits of Competition for Consumers
Federal Trade Commission staff, in response to a notice requesting public comments, urged the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners to reject two proposed rules that impose new restrictions on the ability of Texas dentists to enter into contracts with non-dentists, such as dental service organizations (DSOs), for the provision of nonclinical, administrative services. The […]
FTC Settlement Bars WordSmart from Deceiving Parents With Unsupported Claims About its Education Products
Educational services company WordSmart Corporation and its president have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they deceptively marketed the company’s programs to the parents of school-age children in advertising that included a television infomercial featuring quiz show host Alex Trebek. The settlement order prohibits WordSmart and David A. Kay from misrepresenting the benefits […]