The Ramadan Food Box distribution program seeks to address food insecurity and provide community members with spiritually fulfilling foods during the month of fasting.
(New Hyde Park, NY, 03/08/2024) – On Friday, March 8th, ICNA Relief a major muslim organization will begin its Ramadan. Food Box distribution across its network of 50+ food pantries in 42 states, reaching over 25,000 families. Ramadan, the month of fasting observed by Muslims worldwide, starts on the evening of Sunday, March 10th.
With the cost of groceries skyrocketing nationwide, many families are facing moderate to severe rates of food insecurity, and evermore so Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits not keeping up with inflation.
Access to nutritious food is a basic human right, yet more and more American families are struggling to put food on the table. For individuals who observe halal, the challenge is to find culturally important foods that meet their faith-based dietary guidelines.
Research shows that there is a lack of access to halal options at food pantries, even in cities with a significant Muslim population, in major metropolitan areas such as New York City, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Detroit and Los Angeles to name a few.
ICNA Relief is committed to addressing this gap and meeting the ongoing needs of members of the Muslim community and beyond by raising awareness of food and nutrition insecurity and its implications.
The Food Box distribution will serve low-income, refugees, migrants, and other families in need during the upcoming month of fasting. The food boxes will include staple pantry items such as rice, flour, oil, and specialty foods traditionally consumed during Ramadan. The distribution is made possible through food and monetary donations from local communities across the U.S.
“Ramadan is a special time of year for Muslims, encouraging increased self-awareness, righteousness, and empathy so we can be more responsive to the needs of our neighbors,” says Zahid Hussain, Director of Hunger Prevention. “Currently, many families are struggling to put food on the table due to record high inflation, and we want to ensure that they have access to the culturally appropriate and spiritually fulfilling foods that they need to open their fasts. None of this is possible without our partners, volunteers, and donors, and we are very grateful to have them by our side.”
About ICNA Relief
ICNA Relief is a national domestic relief and faith-based organization that is part of the Islamic Circle of North America. With thousands of trained volunteers nationwide ready to help in times of need, ICNA Relief’s mission is to serve the community at large through social service programs such as disaster relief and transitional housing for women and children. For more information about ICNA Relief’s efforts, visit www.icnarelief.org. ICNA Relief USA is headquartered at 1529 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park, NY 11040.
For questions or interview requests, please contact Zahid Hussain, Director of Hunger Prevention: 214-298-5857, zhussain@icnarelief.org.
Contact Information
Name: Zahid Hussain
Email: zhussain@icnarelief.org
Job Title: Director of Hunger Prevention:
National Advertising Division Finds Certain Claims for Biossance Skincare Products Supported; Recommends Amyris Clean Beauty Modify or Discontinue Others
New York, NY – March 7, 2024 – BBB National Programs’ National Advertising Division determined, as part of its routine monitoring program, that Amyris Clean Beauty, Inc. provided a reasonable basis for the claims:
- “Our 100% sugarcane derived squalane is ethically and sustainably sourced”; and
- Squalane is “a hero ingredient in *every* Biossance formula? This miracle multitasker locks in weightless moisture, calms and protects, and improves elasticity.”
However, the National Advertising Division (NAD) recommended that Amyris:
- Modify the claim “Clean ingredients and clean formulas – we ban over 2000 ingredients that are known to be toxic to you and the environment” to reflect the banned ingredients that are typically used in cosmetics products;
- Discontinue the claim “keeping 2 million sharks every year safe from liver harvesting” or modify it to avoid referring to a numerical figure; and
- Discontinue the claim “All of our ingredients are also ethically and sustainably sourced.”
Under the Biossance brand, the synthetic biotechnology company Amyris creates and markets cosmetic products that feature sugarcane-derived squalane. Squalane has historically been derived from shark livers.
Clean Ingredients Claim
The claim “Clean ingredients and clean formulas – we ban over 2000 ingredients that are known to be toxic to you and the environment” appeared on the Biossance Sustainability webpage. While Amyris provided many sources for its banned ingredients as support for the challenged claim, the National Advertising Division (NAD) found that it is not clear whether the over 2,000 ingredients Amyris does not use in its products are associated with cosmetic products. Therefore, NAD recommended modifying the claim specifying banned ingredients typically used in cosmetic products.
Sustainability Claims
In support of its claim “keeping 2 million sharks every year safe from liver harvesting,” Amyris calculated the number of sharks saved based on 2012 data regarding an estimated number of sharks killed and an estimate as to the global demand for shark liver oil. However, the National Advertising Division (NAD) determined that absent more certainty as to the number of sharks killed and the amount of shark liver oil used by the cosmetics industry, there is no reliable figure as to the amount of sharks saved. Therefore, NAD recommended that the claim be discontinued or modified to avoid referring to a numerical figure. NAD noted that nothing in its decision prevents Amyris from making a more general claim that sharks are not harvested for squalane found in Biossance products.
NAD determined that Amyris provided a reasonable basis for the claim “Our 100% sugarcane derived squalane is ethically and sustainably sourced” based on a 2022 certification, which required adherence to various criteria and indicators relating to sustainable farming and milling.
Regarding the claim “All of our ingredients are also ethically and sustainably sourced,” NAD determined that while Amyris’ Supplier Code of Conduct might demonstrate its commitment to ensuring that ingredients are ethically and sustainably sourced, it does not demonstrate that all ingredients are, in fact, ethically and sustainably sourced. Therefore, NAD recommended that the claim be discontinued or modified to better fit the evidence in the record.
Efficacy Claim
As support for its claim “Did you know our squalane is sugar-cane derived and it’s a hero ingredient in *every* Biossance formula? This miracle multitasker locks in weightless moisture, calms and protects, and improves elasticity” Amyris relied on three studies that assessed the impact of squalane, in the form and range of the amount found in the Biossance products, on these objectively measurable attributes.
After reviewing the evidence, the National Advertising Division (NAD) determined that the claim “[i]t’s a hero ingredient in *every* Biossance formula? This miracle multitasker locks in weightless moisture, calms and protects, and improves elasticity” is supported by a reasonable basis.
In its advertiser statement, Biossance stated that it “will comply with NAD’s recommendations” although it disagrees with certain aspects of the decision.
All BBB National Programs case decision summaries can be found in the case decision library. For the full text of NAD, NARB, and CARU decisions, subscribe to the online archive. This press release shall not be used for advertising or promotional purposes.
About BBB National Programs: BBB National Programs, a non-profit organization, is the home of U.S. independent industry self-regulation, currently operating more than a dozen globally recognized programs that have been helping enhance consumer trust in business for more than 50 years. These programs provide third-party accountability and dispute resolution services that address existing and emerging industry issues, create a fairer playing field for businesses, and a better experience for consumers. BBB National Programs continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-and-teen-directed marketing, data privacy, dispute resolution, automobile warranty, technology, and emerging areas. To learn more, visit bbbprograms.org.
About the National Advertising Division: The National Advertising Division of BBB National Programs provides independent self-regulation and dispute resolution services, guiding the truthfulness of advertising across the U.S. The National Advertising Division reviews national advertising in all media and its decisions set consistent standards for advertising truth and accuracy, delivering meaningful protection to consumers and leveling the playing field for business.
Contact:
Jennie Rosenberg
Media Relations
BBB National Programs
press@bbbnp.org
In Reopened Case, National Advertising Division Recommends Dakota Nutrition Discontinue Certain Dietary Supplement Claims
New York, NY – March 6, 2024 – In a reopened case arising from an advertiser petition of a 2022 decision, BBB National Programs’ National Advertising Division recommended that Dakota Nutrition, Inc. discontinue challenged express and implied claims that its Extra Strength Elderberry 3-in-1 Immune Booster Capsules, Extra Strength Elderberry Gummies, and Immune Defense 7-in-1 Immune Booster Capsules (Elderberry Supplements) contain the ingredient elderberry.
The claims at issue, which appeared on Dakota’s website, Amazon product pages, and on product labels were challenged by Nature’s Way Brands, LLC.
In a 2022 challenge brought by Nature’s Way, the National Advertising Division (NAD) determined that Dakota did not have a reasonable basis for the challenged claims that its Elderberry Supplements contain elderberry, and noted that Dakota did not submit any support for the claims that elderberries are antioxidants or that they contain certain amounts of antioxidants.
Therefore, NAD recommended that Dakota discontinue all challenged claims that relate to the presence and quantity of elderberry in its Elderberry Supplements. Based on NAD’s recommendation, Dakota agreed to discontinue the claims.
In 2023, NAD granted Dakota’s petition to reopen the decision, pursuant to NAD Procedures, based on a new expert report as well as new testing on the raw material used in Dakota’s Elderberry Supplements.
After reviewing this new evidence, NAD concluded that it did not provide a reasonable basis to support Dakota’s advertising that its Elderberry Supplements contain European Elderberry and recommended that Dakota discontinue the challenged claims, including:
- “elderberry capsules,”
- “elderberry gummies,“
- “black elderberry extract (150mg),”
- “150mg elderberry per serving,”
- “150mg of Black Elderberry,”
- “150mg of Sambucus Nigra Extract,”
- “elderberries are very high in antioxidants,” and
- “extra strength antioxidant.”
In its advertiser statement for the reopened case, Dakota stated that it “has previously discontinued the sale of its elderberry products, and therefore agrees to continue to comply with NAD’s recommendation” while noting that it “strongly disagrees with NAD’s conclusion” that the new evidence “does not satisfy the reasonable basis standard.”
All BBB National Programs case decision summaries can be found in the case decision library. For the full text of NAD, NARB, and CARU decisions, subscribe to the online archive. This press release shall not be used for advertising or promotional purposes.
About BBB National Programs: BBB National Programs, a non-profit organization, is the home of U.S. independent industry self-regulation, currently operating more than a dozen globally recognized programs that have been helping enhance consumer trust in business for more than 50 years. These programs provide third-party accountability and dispute resolution services that address existing and emerging industry issues, create a fairer playing field for businesses, and a better experience for consumers. BBB National Programs continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-and-teen-directed marketing, data privacy, dispute resolution, automobile warranty, technology, and emerging areas. To learn more, visit bbbprograms.org.
About the National Advertising Division: The National Advertising Division of BBB National Programs provides independent self-regulation and dispute resolution services, guiding the truthfulness of advertising across the U.S. The National Advertising Division reviews national advertising in all media and its decisions set consistent standards for advertising truth and accuracy, delivering meaningful protection to consumers and leveling the playing field for business.
Contact:
Jennie Rosenberg
Media Relations
BBB National Programs
press@bbbnp.org