Federal Trade Commission v. Pharmtech Research, Inc.

576 F. Supp. 294, 1983 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20437
CourtDistrict Court, District of Columbia
DecidedNovember 30, 1983
DocketCiv. A. 83-2247
StatusPublished
Cited by6 cases

This text of 576 F. Supp. 294 (Federal Trade Commission v. Pharmtech Research, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, District of Columbia primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Federal Trade Commission v. Pharmtech Research, Inc., 576 F. Supp. 294, 1983 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20437 (D.D.C. 1983).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OPINION

BARRINGTON D. PARKER, District Judge:

In this proceeding, the Federal' Trade Commission (“FTC” or “Commission”) challenges certain advertisements disseminated by the defendant Pharmtech Research, Inc. (“Pharmtech”). The advertisements are challengéd on the grounds that they are false, misleading and deceptive within the meaning of sections 5(a) and 12 of the *296 Federal Trade Commission Act (“Act”). 15 U.S.C. §§ 45(a), 52. As provided by the statute, the FTC filed an administrative complaint in July 1983 against the defendant. The FTC now seeks an injunction under sections 13(a) and (b) of the Act, restraining Pharmtech from disseminating the challenged advertisements, pending the outcome of the administrative proceedings before the Commission. 15 U.S.C. § 53(a), (b). Pharmtech does not challenge the appropriateness of venue in the District of Columbia or the jurisdiction of this Court.

The Court has considered the legal memoranda, affidavits, and oral argument of counsel and concludes that the FTC’s application for a preliminary injunction should be granted. The reasons for that determination are set out in this Memorandum.

FACTUAL BACKGROUND

Pharmtech, a California corporation, manufactures Daily Greens, a dietary or food supplement in tablet form. 1 The label affixed to the Daily Greens bottle indicates that the tablets contain vitamins A, C, and E, the mineral selenium, beta-carotene and' dehydrated vegetables. Each tablet provides 3 calories and, taken daily, is at most equivalent to 4.2 servings of fresh cabbage per month. Thus, each tablet provides approximately a one-seventh serving of cabbage. Plaintiff’s Motion for a Preliminary Injunction (“FTC Motion”), Ex. 26, Report of William Vaughan. 2

Since March 1983 Pharmtech has placed advertisements for Daily Greens in various magazines and newspapers, and has disseminated similar television advertising since July 1983. A typical print advertisement states:

Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts, Carrots, Cauliflower, Spinach and Broccoli vs. Can- . cer____
According to the National Academy of Sciences, a regular diet of cruciferous (cabbage, brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower) and carotene-rich (carrots and spinach) vegetables is associated with a reduction in the incidence of certain cancers.*
Of course you may not really like these vegetables. Or you may not cook them quite right. And even if you have all that worked out, you still have to contend with seasonal availability. That’s why there are Daily Greens.
Daily Greens are concentrated servings of cruciferous and carotene-rich vegetables. Picked ripe. Carefully washed. And quickly dehydrated without cooking. Then they’re fortified with vitamins A, C, E, betacarotene and selenium____ The National Academy of Sciences thinks a balanced diet may reduce your risk of cancer. Daily Greens were designed to be a part of that balanced diet ____
[Substantial evidence exists that regular consumption of cruciferous vegetables is associated with a reduction in the incidence of certain cancers. Thanks to the *297 process of dehydration, Daily Greens allow you to eat cruciferous vegetables regularly, with the convenience of a food supplement____
* Diet, Nutrition and Cancer[,\ Committee on Diet, Nutrition and Cancer[,] National Academy Press, 1982 ____

Exs. 1-4.

The photoboard of the television advertisements for Daily Greens states that:

The following message concerns a revolutionary new concept in diet and nutrition. According to this report, commissioned by the National Cancer Institute, a combination of chrysipherous, [sic] and carotene rich vegetables, have been proven to help our bodies build certain important biological defenses. Of course, to get the most benefit from any vegetable, you should eat them raw. But that’s difficult to do everyday. So I’d like to introduce you to Daily Greens. Daily Greens are not just another vitamin pill. They’re natural, fresh, chrysipherous [sic] and carotene rich vegetables, dehydrated and compressed, to give you the important nutritional supplements, that could be so vital to your future health ____ So, if you’re not getting enough raw vegetables, everyday, rely on Daily Greens ... To help your body defend itself.

Radio T.Y. Reports, FTC Reply, Attachment 1.

Although the challenged advertisements differ in minor respects, each makes the claim that the consumption of Daily Greens is associated with a reduction in the risk of certain cancers. The claim is also made that Daily Greens will contribute to certain biological defenses. The advertisements do not state that the use of Daily Greens will prevent cancer, nor does the FTC allege that Pharmtech makes this claim.

In making these claims, defendant relies solely on a report published by the National Academy of Sciences, entitled Diet, Nutrition and Cancer. Ex. 36. That publication (“the Report”) presents the results of a comprehensive study conducted by a 13-member committee of the National Research Council, the Committee on Diet, Nutrition and Cancer (“Committee”) on the relationship between eating habits and cancer. The Committee concluded that frequent consumption of certain fruits and vegetables is associated with a reduction in the incidence of cancer in human beings, and found that carotene-rich vegetables, such as carrots, and cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage and brussels sprouts, provide this benefit. Ex. 36 at 1-15, 15-9. Thus, it recommended that people consume carotene-rich and cruciferous vegetables daily. Ex. 36 at 1-15.

The Report, however, limited the application of its findings by several specific and cautionary warnings. First, the Committee stated that scientists have not identified the specific compounds responsible for the reduced incidence of cancer, Ex. 36 at 1-3, 15-1, 15-9, and in fact, this benefit may be completely unrelated to .the chemical composition of the vegetables studied. Instead, the benefit may be due to the fact that people who eat vegetables eat fewer foods that cause cancer. Ex. 36 at A-12.

Second, the Report also warned that: [t]hese recommendations apply only to foods as sources of nutrients — not to dietary supplements of individual nutrients. The vast literature examined in this report focuses on the relationship between the consumption of foods and the incidence of cancer in human populations. In contrast, there is very little information on the effects of various levels of individual nutrients on the risk of cancer in humans. Therefore, the committee is unable to predict the health effects of high and potentially toxic doses of isolated nutrients consumed in the form of supplements.

Ex. 36 at 1-15 (emphasis added).

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Bluebook (online)
576 F. Supp. 294, 1983 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20437, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/federal-trade-commission-v-pharmtech-research-inc-dcd-1983.