FTC upholds POM decision

Pomegranate juice brand must stop making health claims

January 17, 2013

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has upheld a judge’s May ruling that POM Wonderful pomegranate juice brand made deceptive claims about the health benefits of its products, according to the Associated Press. The case centered on POM’s claims that its pomegranate juice could treat or prevent heart disease, prostate cancer and other conditions. The company also sells Pomegranate-derived pills and liquid extract. The FTC issued a final order barring POM’s marketers from making any future health claims unless they’re supported by two randomized, well-controlled, human studies.

Shane O’Halloran joined Food Engineering in November of 2012 as Digital/Online Editor. He graduated from Oberlin College in 2010, and worked as a copy editor and contributor to BleacherReport.com and ShesGameSports.com. He has also written feature articles on a freelance basis for publications in the western suburbs of Philadelphia. His areas of expertise include social media campaigns and website management. Shane produces daily news updates for www.foodengineeringmag.com and Food Engineering’s social media sites. In addition, Shane writes news articles for FE’s TechFlash e-newsletter and Food Engineering’s People and Industry section.