The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is suing Gerber Products for allegedly advertising that consumption of its Good Start Gentle formula will prevent the risk of allergies in infants.
The agency also claims that Gerber has falsely advertised Good Start Gentle's health claims as Food and Drug Administration approved.
It is now looking to prohibit Gerber from making the alleged false and unsubstantiated allergy-prevention claims, through its federal court enforcement action.
FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection director Jessica Rich said: "Parents trusted Gerber to tell the truth about the health benefits of its formula, and the company's ads failed to live up to that trust.
"Gerber didn't have evidence to back up its claim that Good Start Gentle formula reduces the risk of babies developing their parents' allergies."
FTC claims that Gerber has been advertising its Good Start Gentle formula since 2011 through various sources such as television, magazines, point-of-sale displays, online, and other promotional material.
Good Start Gentle infant formula is made with partially hydrolyzed whey proteins.
Image: Gerber's Good Start Gentle formula. Photo: courtesy of Federal Trade Commission
