[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 222 (Friday, November 15, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58563-58564]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-29267]


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FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
[File No. 952-3366]


Universal Merchants, Inc.; Steven Oscherowitz; Analysis To Aid 
Public Comment

AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission.

ACTION: Proposed consent agreement.

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SUMMARY: In settlement of alleged violations of federal law prohibiting 
unfair or deceptive acts or practices and unfair methods of 
competition, this consent agreement, accepted subject to final 
Commission approval, would prohibit, among other things, the Los 
Angeles, California-based dietary supplement manufacturer and its 
president from making certain challenged claims for chromium picolinate 
dietary supplements, without competent and reliable scientific evidence 
to support them; from misrepresenting the results of any test, study, 
or research; and from representing that any testimonial or endorsement 
is the typical or ordinary experience of users of the advertised 
product, unless the claim is substantiated or unless Universal 
Merchants discloses the generally expected results clearly and 
prominently. The agreement settles allegations that Universal Merchants 
made unsupported claims about weight loss and health benefits in 
infomercials for its Chromatrim and Chromatrim 100 chromium picolinate 
chewing gum products.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 14, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be directed to: FTC/Office of the Secretary, 
Room 159, 6th St. and Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20580.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard L. Cleland, Federal Trade 
Commission, H-466, 6th and Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20580. 
(202) 326-3088.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to Section 6(f) of the Federal 
Trade Commission Act, 38 Stat. 721, 15 U.S.C. 46, and Section 2.34 of 
the Commission's Rules of Practice (16 CFR 2.34), notice is hereby 
given that the above-captioned consent agreement containing a consent 
order to cease and desist, having been filed with and accepted, subject 
to final approval, by the Commission, has been placed on the public 
record for a period of sixty (60) days. The following Analysis to Aid 
Public Comment describes the terms of the consent agreement, and the 
allegations in the accompanying complaint. An electronic copy of the 
full text of the consent agreement package can be obtained from the FTC 
Home page, on the World Wide Web, at ``http://www.ftc.gov/os/actions/
htm.'' A paper copy can be obtained from the FTC Public Reference Room, 
Room H-130, Sixth Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 
20580, either in person or by calling (202) 326-3627. Public comment is 
invited. Such comments or views will be considered by the Commission 
and will be available for inspection and copying at its principal 
office in accordance with Section 4.9(b)(6)(ii) of the Commission's 
Rules of Practice (16 CFR 4.9(b)(6)(ii)).

Analysis of Proposed Consent for Public Comment

    The Federal Trade Commission has accepted an agreement to a 
proposed consent order from Universal Merchants, Inc., the marketer of 
ChromaTrim, a chewing gum containing chromium picolinate sold as a 
weight loss aid, and its president, Steven Oscherowitz, hereinafter 
sometimes referred to as respondents.
    The proposed consent order has been placed on the public record for 
sixty (60) days for reception of comments by interested persons. 
Comments received during this period will become part of the public 
record. After sixty (60) days, the Commission will again review the 
agreement and the comments received and will decide whether it should 
withdraw from the agreement or make final the agreement's proposed 
order.
    The Commission's complaint in this matter alleges that the 
respondents made unsubstantiated claims that ChromaTrim (1) reduces 
body fat, (2) causes significant weight loss, (3) significantly reduces 
body fat and causes weight loss without dieting or exercise, (4) 
increases lean body mass and builds muscle, and (5) controls appetite 
and craving for sugar. The complaint further alleges that respondents 
falsely represented that these effects have been demonstrated through 
scientific studies. In addition, the complaint alleges that respondents 
made unsubstantiated claims that (1) testimonials from consumers 
appearing

[[Page 58564]]

in ChromaTrim advertisements reflect the typical or ordinary experience 
of users and (2) that nine out of ten people suffer decreased ability 
to burn fat, preserve muscle, and control hunger and cravings because 
of a chromium deficiency.
    The proposed consent order contains provisions designed to remedy 
the violations charged and to prevent the respondents from engaging in 
similar acts and practices in the future.
    Part I of the order requires substantiation for claims that 
ChromaTrim (1) significantly reduces body fat, (2) causes significant 
weight loss, (3) significantly reduces body fat or causes weight loss 
without dieting or exercise, (4) increases lean body mass or builds 
muscle, and (5) controls appetite or craving for sugar. Similarly, Part 
I prohibits the claim that nine out of ten people do not consume enough 
chromium to support normal insulin function, resulting in decreased 
ability to burn fat, preserve muscle, and control hunger and cravings, 
unless, such claim is substantiated by competent and reliable 
scientific evidence at the time it is made.
    Part II of the proposed order requires substantiation for any 
health benefits, performance, efficacy or safety claim for any food, 
dietary supplement, or drug. Part III prohibits the misrepresentation 
of any test, study, or research. Part IV prohibits proposed respondents 
from representing that any testimonial is the typical or ordinary 
experience of users unless such claim is substantiated or respondents 
disclose, clearly and prominently, what the generally expected results 
would be or that consumers should not expect similar results. Parts V 
and VI allow representations permitted for drugs by the Food and Drug 
Administration or for foods under the Nutrition Labeling and Education 
Act. Part VII requires proposed respondents to maintain certain records 
for five years, and Part VIII requires proposed respondents to 
distribute a copy of the order to certain persons who have 
responsibilities subject to the order. Part IX requires the corporate 
respondent to notify the Commission of any changes in the corporation 
that may affect compliance with the order and Part X requires that 
Steven Oscherowitz notify the Commission of changes in employment or of 
his affiliation with any new employment. This provision is effective 
for five years. Part XI requires that the proposed respondents file a 
compliance report and Part XII sunsets the proposed order at twenty 
years under certain circumstances.
    The purpose of this analysis is to facilitate public comment on the 
proposed order, and it is not intended to constitute an official 
interpretation of the agreement and proposed order or to modify in any 
way their terms.
Donald S. Clark,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-29267 Filed 11-14-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750-01-P