Kids' Dietary Supplement Company Changes Deceptive Marketing Following Investigation and Legal Effort by Ad Watchdog TINA.org

MADISON, Conn., Oct. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- After ad watchdog TINA.org filed complaints about deceptive advertising, the maker of a dietary supplement aimed at children with speech delays has corrected its website and is in the process of amending its product packaging, reports the advocacy group.

"This is a victory for consumers,'' said TINA.org Executive Director Bonnie Patten. "We are pleased this company took appropriate action to stop its deceptive marketing that preyed on the emotions of concerned parents.  It is critical that parents of children with speech delays know the full truth about a product they are giving their kids."

TINA.org (truthinadvertising.org), an independent, non-profit consumer advocacy organization, notified the company that it has withdrawn its complaints filed with federal and state regulators.

TINA.org filed its complaints about NourishLife's marketing of SpeechNutrients speak™ ("Speak") in March after a months-long investigation of the company revealed a number of deceptive marketing issues. Complaint letters were sent to the company, the Attorney General of Illinois (where NourishLife is based), the Federal Trade Commission, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

NourishLife has made changes to its website that address the deceptive marketing issues identified in TINA.org's complaint, including claims that its formula was "patented" when it wasn't, that the supplement could cure or treat childhood speech delays without appropriate scientific support, and that its ingredients were pharmaceutical grade when there is no such thing.  The company has also inactivated another website it owns – ApraxiaResearch.com – that posed as an independent resource for information on childhood speech delays without disclosing that it was created and owned by NourishLife. With respect to the product packaging and print brochures, the company has confirmed it is in the process of making changes that mirror the edits made on its website.

During its investigation, TINA.org also found that Speak contains a highly elevated level of vitamin E that exceeds the tolerable upper intake level set by the Food and Nutrition Board. It alerted the FDA and has not withdrawn that portion of its complaint.

More information about TINA.org's efforts regarding Speak can be found here.

The NourishLife complaints were the first filed by TINA.org, which has since taken action against a Washington State-based company operating an illegal pyramid scheme, and has opened investigations into a wide variety of false advertising by companies across the nation.

TINA.org's mission is to empower consumers to protect themselves and one another against false advertising and deceptive marketing. It achieves that mission through education, advocacy, investigative journalism, and the promotion of truth in advertising. TINA.org is independently funded and does not accept any advertising dollars to support its work.

Contact: Ray Pellecchia (845) 245-8138
[email protected]

SOURCE TINA.org