Month: August 2024

• Quebec becomes 12^th MICHELIN Guide destination in North America
• MICHELIN Guide Inspectors are already in the field, finding culinary gems
• The 2025 inaugural selection will feature the whole province

QUEBEC CITY, August 29, 2024 — The MICHELIN Guide has arrived in the province of Quebec, as Michelin and l’Alliance de l’industrie touristique du Québec today revealed the MICHELIN Guide Quebec. The MICHELIN Guide Quebec will be the third destination in Canada, in addition to Toronto and Vancouver.

The first MICHELIN Guide Quebec selection will be revealed in 2025, and it will feature culinary gems throughout the province.

Quebec is home to a rich and diverse food scene with international influences and farm-to- table dishes thanks to the variety of locally grown ingredients found throughout the region. The province is home to both renowned chefs and up-and-coming talent looking to mix traditional and avant-garde cooking techniques into their dishes.

“We are excited to plant our flag in Quebec as the newest destination for the MICHELIN Guide in Canada,” said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guides. “Quebec’s culinary scene shines a light on the rich heritage and traditions of the province attracting travelers on the lookout for remarkable and tasty experiences. I look forward to revealing what our anonymous Inspectors discover for this inaugural selection.”

The anonymous MICHELIN Guide Inspectors award the iconic MICHELIN Stars – one, two, or three – to unparalleled cuisine. The Guide is also renowned for its Bib Gourmand selection, highlighting restaurants that offer great quality food at good prices. The MICHELIN Green Star is given to restaurants that are leaders in sustainable gastronomy. Recommended restaurants and special professional awards are also highlighted by the Inspectors.

“Quebec is a rich multicultural mosaic, which gives Quebecois cuisine an invaluable uniqueness,’’ said Geneviève Cantin, CEO of the Alliance. “It is with immense pride that all of our partners welcome the arrival of the MICHELIN Guide across the Province of Quebec, which will further showcase our local artisans on the international stage.”

The MICHELIN Guide is constantly observing the evolution of culinary destinations around the world. The MICHELIN Guide selections process remains completely independent. While selections remain fully independently determined by anonymous Inspectors, the MICHELIN Guide is working with the Alliance on marketing and promotion activities only.

History and methodology

The upcoming Quebec restaurant selection will follow Michelin’s historical methodology, based on five universal criteria, to ensure each destination’s selection equity: 1) quality products; 2) the harmony of flavors; 3) the mastery of cooking techniques; 4) the voice and personality of the chef as reflected in the cuisine; 5) consistency between each visit and throughout the menu (each restaurant is inspected several times a year).

The MICHELIN Guide remains a reliable companion for any traveler seeking a great meal. The Guide was first published in France at the turn of the 20th century to encourage tire sales by giving practical advice to French motorists. Michelin’s Inspectors still use the same criteria and manner of selection that were used by Inspectors in the very beginning, now applied in destinations around the world.

Michelin announced its first North American Guide in 2005 for New York. Guides have also been added in Chicago (2011); Washington, D.C. (2017); California (San Francisco in 2007, statewide 2019); Miami/Orlando/Tampa, Florida (2022); Toronto (2022); Vancouver (2022); Colorado (2023); Atlanta (2023); Mexico (2024), Texas (2024) and today Quebec (2024).

About Michelin North America, Inc.

Michelin is the leading mobility company and manufacturer of life-changing composites and experiences. For more than 130 years, Michelin has made contributions to human progress and to a more sustainable world. Michelin is constantly innovating to manufacture high-quality tires and components for critical applications for demanding fields, including mobility, construction, aeronautics, low-carbon energies and healthcare and offer the finest experiences, from providing data- and AI- based connected solutions for professional fleets to recommending outstanding restaurants and hotels curated by the MICHELIN Guide. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America has approximately 23,500 employees and operates 35 production facilities in the United States (michelinman.com) and Canada (michelin.ca).

About l’Alliance de l’industrie touristique du Québec

Representing more than 12,000 businesses and 50 regional and sectoral tourism associations, the Quebec Tourism Industry Alliance (Alliance) is the largest provincial tourism business federation in Canada. It embodies the commitment of the private and associative sectors to highlight the significant contribution of the tourism economic sector to the vitality of the regions while advocating on behalf of its members. All the Alliance’s actions aim to help make Quebec a sustainable, responsible, and prosperous world-class tourist destination.

The MICHELIN Guide Worldwide app for iOS and Android devices.

https://guide.michelin.com/

https://www.facebook.com/MICHELINGuideWorldwide

https://www.instagram.com/michelinguide

https://www.youtube.com/@MICHELINguideInternational

New York, NY – August 29, 2024 – BBB National Programs’ National Advertising Division referred HiSmile PTY to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and other regulatory authorities for review after HiSmile declined to provide an advertiser statement confirming it will comply with all of NAD’s recommendations.

Competitor Oral Essentials, Inc. challenged certain HiSmile claims for its tooth concealer products (V34 Colour Corrector Serum and Glostik) and teeth whitening products containing PAP (PAP+ Whitening Strips, PAP+ Whitening Pen, PAP+Whitening Toothpaste and VIO 405 Refills or “Tooth Whiteners”).

The challenged claims appeared on HiSmile’s website, social media, and Amazon listings.

Instant Claims

The National Advertising Division (NAD) determined that the studies and research submitted by HiSmile do not provide a reasonable basis for claims that HiSmile tooth concealers provide “instant brightening,” “immediately brighten(s)” teeth, and the description of Glostik as an “Instant Whitening Wand.” Therefore, NAD recommended that these claims be discontinued.

Further, NAD recommended that HiSmile discontinue claims of “clinically proven instant whitening results,” “instant brightening,” “immediately brightens,” and “instantly remove yellow teeth stains” for its tooth whitening products as the evidence was not a good fit to support the claims.

Sensitivity Claims

In the absence of support on the impact of the tooth whiteners on “sensitivity,” NAD determined HiSmile’s claims of “no tooth sensitivity,” “sensitivity-free whitening,” “strips away the stains without any sensitivity,” and “no gum irritation” were unsupported and recommended they be discontinued.

Product Demonstrations

Oral Essentials also challenged certain product demonstrations and endorsements of HiSmile’s products that appeared on social media, including experiments conducted on various foods such as an egg, a banana, a lemon, or an ear of corn.

NAD concluded that Hismile’s product demonstrations can be reasonably understood as a visual demonstration of the whitening power of its tooth concealer. NAD noted that when a product demonstration is presented as visual proof of how the product will perform, the demonstration must be presented accurately and any material conditions or limitations should be clearly disclosed.

Accordingly, NAD recommended that HiSmile discontinue the use of its egg test as a product demonstration, or modify it to:

• Avoid equating the egg and staining elements to stains on teeth; and
• Make clear the material aspects of the test including the dipping time and the staining factors used.

As to HiSmile’s product demonstrations on other items such as a banana, NAD recommended they be discontinued or modified to:

• Avoid conveying the message that the demonstrations depict the whitening power of HiSmile’s products; and
• Make clear that demonstrations on objects that are not similar to teeth only demonstrate the mechanism of administration.

Material Connection Disclosures

In addition, Oral Essentials challenged product demonstrations and endorsements appearing on social media where it maintained the material connection between the endorser and HiSmile was not fully disclosed.

While HiSmile committed to using standard disclosures provided by social media platforms, FTC guidance cautions marketers against relying on the platform-provided disclosure if it is not clear and conspicuous. NAD has previously found that an “includes paid promotion” platform-provided disclosure is not clear and conspicuous.

Accordingly, NAD recommended that HiSmile modify any video endorsement to include a material connection disclosure that is clear and conspicuous in audio and video, keeping in mind that clear and conspicuous means unavoidable or difficult to miss.

During the proceeding, HiSmile permanently discontinued certain claims for its PAP+ Whitening Pen, PAP+ Whitening Strips, and tooth concealers. Therefore, NAD did not review these claims on their merits and will treat the claims, for compliance purposes, as though NAD recommended they be discontinued.

HiSmile did not provide an advertiser statement confirming it will comply with all of NAD’s recommendations. Per NAD/NARB Procedures, NAD has referred this matter to the FTC and other regulatory authorities for review and possible enforcement action. NAD will also refer this matter to platforms on which HiSmile’s advertising appeared.

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.

New York, NY – August 29, 2024 – BBB National Programs’ National Advertising Division has referred advertising claims made by HiSmile PTY for its toothbrushes to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and other regulatory authorities for review after HiSmile declined to participate in the industry self-regulation process.

The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G), manufacturer of competitor Oral-B brand power toothbrushes, challenged claims made by HiSmile in two videos posted by the company on TikTok. In the videos, HiSmile made unsupported comparative efficacy claims and claims that falsely disparaged its Oral-B power toothbrushes including:

• “[other brushes have] 1 million useless extras that you don’t need”
• “You’re not going to hear about rotations on [our] brush head,”
• “[HiSmile] is here to replace your dodgy electric toothbrush”
• “You don’t need the features from the big boy brands…selling you like a used car salesman for features you don’t need”

While HiSmile advised the National Advertising Division (NAD) that one of the TikTok videos had been taken down, the other video remains on the platform and HiSmile has not represented that the claims at issue had been permanently discontinued.

As HiSmile decided not to participate in the NAD self-regulatory process concerning these claims, NAD will refer the matter to the FTC and other regulatory authorities for review and possible enforcement action.

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. NAD will also refer this matter to platforms on which HiSmile’s advertising appeared.

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 (NAD) of BBB National Programs provides independent self-regulation and dispute resolution services, guiding the truthfulness of advertising across the U.S. NAD 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.  

August 22, 2024 – Enterval Analytics, LLC, a leading student loan analytics company, today released the 22nd edition of its semi-annual Private Student Loan Report. The latest Report offers detailed data and analytics on the US private student in-school lending market, highlighting current private student loan performance, and comparing it to pre-pandemic 3-year averages. The Report underscores that a majority of borrowers continue to responsibly manage their private student loans.

At the end of Q1 2024, early-stage delinquency remained steady at 3.02%, while late-stage delinquencies were 1.61%. Annualized gross charge-offs were 2.56%. The 3-year average for the pre-pandemic timeframe of 2017 to 2019 were 2.57%, 1.57%, and 2.04%, respectively. At the end of Q1 2024, 75.91% of private student loan borrowers were in repayment, which is slightly more than the three-year pre-pandemic average of 75.46%.

“Private student loan borrowers continue to demonstrate responsible repayment management,” explains John Falb, CEO of Enterval Analytics. “The pandemic introduced unique private student loan origination and repayment trends, but the data confirms market performance is normalizing.”

The Report represents data contributed by thirteen private lenders, who collectively account for over 70% of the active in-school private student loan lender market. Report contributors originated $8.92B in private student loans during the first three quarters of academic year 2023/24. In addition to being fully underwritten to assess creditworthiness and ability to repay, private student loans are school certified with 90.40% of loans being cosigned.

Based on the latest available federal student loan data, approximately 92.37% or $1.6 trillion of the loans today are made by the federal government; the remaining 7.61% or $133.43 billion of the student loan market as of Q3 2024 are private student loans. Undergraduate loans account for 90.70% of the outstanding private student loan portfolio.

The full Private Student Loan Report is available for download at https://www.enterval.com/#reports.

The bi-annual Report includes continuous contributions from the five largest student loan lenders and holders: Citizens Bank, N.A., College Ave, Navient, PNC Bank, N.A., and Sallie Mae Bank. In addition, the report includes data from eight other student lender contributors.

About Enterval Analytics

Enterval Analytics was formed to provide industry leading research, tools, and insights for the private student loan market. In 2021, Enterval acquired certain reporting assets of MeasureOne and has assumed the lead in creating this report.

Enterval has a dedicated team of seasoned professionals, with specialized experience in data analysis, finance, student loan portfolio management, higher education policy, public and government relations—Enterval is uniquely positioned to deliver reporting and software tool solutions focused on the higher education space. For more information about Enterval, visit www.enterval.com.

New York, NY – August 21, 2024 – The BBB National Programs National Advertising Division has closed a Fast-Track SWIFT challenge initiated by Dyson, Inc. regarding advertising by SharkNinja Operating, LLC for its Shark Clean & Empty Cordless Stick Vacuum & Auto-Empty System.

Fast-Track SWIFT is an expedited process designed for single-issue advertising cases brought to the National Advertising Division (NAD).

Dyson challenged the adequacy of the disclosure used in connection with SharkNinja’s claim that its Clean & Empty Vacuum offers “500x less dust exposure* (*Based on third-party plume testing while emptying vs. manual empty),” in digital advertising, third-party retailer websites, on SharkNinja’s website, and product packaging.

In response to Dyson’s SWIFT challenge, SharkNinja informed NAD that it has permanently discontinued use of the disclosure identified by Dyson and that all future claims of comparative dust exposure will include a modified disclosure clearly stating the basis of comparison, which is a comparison to the Shark Navigator.

Therefore, NAD did not review the challenge on the merits and will treat the advertising, for compliance purposes, as though NAD recommended it be discontinued.

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 (NAD) of BBB National Programs provides independent self-regulation and dispute resolution services, guiding the truthfulness of advertising across the U.S. NAD 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

New York, NY – August 16, 2024 – In a Fast-Track SWIFT challenge, BBB National Programs’ National Advertising Division recommended that Datarails, Inc. clearly and conspicuously disclose its material connection to The Finance Weekly website where endorsement, rankings, and reviews appear.

Cube Planning, Inc., a competitor in the Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) software solutions market, challenged Datarails advertising on The Finance Weekly website.

Fast-Track SWIFT is an expedited process designed for single-issue advertising cases brought to the National Advertising Division (NAD). At issue for NAD was whether the affiliation between The Finance Weekly and Datarails is adequately disclosed.

NAD determined that there was a material connection between Datarails and The Finance Weekly website and that connection was not clearly and conspicuously disclosed. NAD noted that Datarails advertises throughout the website (and appears to be the only advertiser on the website), however, portions of the website that rank services do not disclose this material connection.

To ensure that Datarails advertising does not mislead consumers, NAD recommended that Datarails clearly and conspicuously disclose its material connection to The Finance Weekly website where endorsement, rankings, and reviews appear.

Datarails denied knowledge of the rating and ranking criteria of The Finance Weekly. NAD noted that in using an expert endorsement, Datarails, like any advertiser, has an obligation to ensure the endorsement is truthful.

Therefore, NAD recommended that Datarails discontinue using expert endorsements that do not:

• Have the correct experience to review the service;
• Review the product using that expertise to examine competing products or services; and
• Conclude the product or services are superior to other products or services with respect to the features reviewed.

In its advertiser statement, Datarails stated that it “intends to comply” with NAD’s recommendations.

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.

New York, NY – August 15, 2024 – In a challenge brought by ZenBusiness, Inc., BBB National Programs’ National Advertising Division determined that LegalZoom, Inc. provided a reasonable basis for certain claims regarding its online corporate formation services but recommended that it discontinue or modify others.

Superiority Claims

ZenBusiness challenged several iterations of social media ad and sponsored search ad claims stating that LegalZoom is the “#1 Choice” for online small business formation and is “#1 Rated/Voted” by small businesses.

The National Advertising Division (NAD) determined that the three surveys relied on by LegalZoom as evidence were not a good fit for supporting the claims and recommended they be discontinued. NAD noted that its decision does not prevent LegalZoom from relying on the surveys for different, supported claims.

Best LLC Claim

NAD found that LegalZoom’s “Best LLC Service” claim, which appeared in a sponsored search ad, is puffery and does not require support. NAD noted that, in context, the claim is used as a vague statement of corporate pride without conveying a message that LegalZoom has been measured to be the “best” in a quantified, objectifiable way.

Price Savings Claims

LegalZoom’s website features a direct comparison of its business formation services to those offered by ZenBusiness. NAD found the claims that ZenBusiness is “up to 20% more expensive than LegalZoom” and that customers who use LegalZoom’s business formation services “can save up to $39” compared to ZenBusiness were substantiated. However, NAD recommended that LegalZoom modify its comparison chart to accurately indicate that ZenBusiness offers a website builder free for one month with its starter package.

NAD also found that LegalZoom’s proposed modification to its comparison chart to clearly and conspicuously identify both companies as offering compliance services (included by ZenBusiness for the first year) would not mislead consumers about the compliance offerings of each competitor.

Disclosure of Affiliate Relationship

LegalZoom’s website features a box with the language “as seen in” followed by the logos of Forbes, Mashable, The New York Times, CNBC, and The Today Show. NAD recommended that if LegalZoom has a material connection, including an affiliate relationship with the publications and media outlets featured in its “as seen in” advertisement, that material connection should be clearly and conspicuously disclosed on LegalZoom’s website.

On another part of its website, LegalZoom touts its relationship with its business partners stating in large black font “Build a successful business with help from our partners” followed by the statement “Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale your business, our partners have solutions and special offers.” Below the text, six partner logos are featured, which NAD found clearly and conspicuously discloses the commercial relationship between LegalZoom and its partners.

Consumer Purchase Flows

NAD reviewed two challenged portions of LegalZoom’s LLC purchase flow and recommended that LegalZoom:

• Modify the registered agent purchase flow to clearly and conspicuously disclose the options available to consumers; and
• Modify the order review page to clearly and conspicuously reflect the pricing of the add-on features, both in their line-item appearance and in the total price at the end of the page.

In its advertiser statement, LegalZoom stated that it “will comply with NAD’s decision.” LegalZoom further stated that although it “disagrees with some of NAD’s conclusions, as a strong supporter of industry self-regulation LegalZoom will take NAD’s recommendations into account as it revises its materials.”

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 (NAD) of BBB National Programs provides independent self-regulation and dispute resolution services, guiding the truthfulness of advertising across the U.S. NAD 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.  

New York, NY – August 13, 2024 – In a challenge brought by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. (JJCI), BBB National Programs’ National Advertising Division recommended that ASO LLC discontinue its “2x faster healing” claims for its hydrocolloid bandages.

Hydrocolloid bandages are moist wound dressings that turn into a gel after absorbing fluid. ASO’s bandages are sold under their brand names, All-Health and Care Science, as well as its private label customers’ brands sold in pharmacies.

The “up to 2x faster healing” claims appeared on several media platforms, on the bandage packaging, and retailer websites. The claim appeared adjacent to ASO’s “SMART-HEAL^®” trademark with the disclosure that “*Hydrocolloids have been shown to heal minor cuts, scrapes, abrasions, lacerations, blisters, and scalds up to 2x faster than a simple dry bandage. Journal of Athletic Training 2007; 42(3):422-424.”

The National Advertising Division (NAD) concluded that some consumers looking at ASO’s advertising might take away the message that the “up to 2x faster healing” claim is a comparison between hydrocolloid bandages and traditional dry bandages. Another message NAD determined to be reasonably conveyed is that ASO’s product, or its Smart-Heal Technology, as opposed to hydrocolloids generally, promotes up to 2x faster healing.

NAD found that while ASO’s evidence suggests hydrocolloids may speed the wound healing process, it does not reasonably support qualified claims that hydrocolloids have been shown to heal up to 2x faster than dry bandages. As a result, and because ASO provided no evidence of its own bandages’ relative healing times, NAD determined that the evidence also does not support claims that ASO’s product or its Smart-Heal Technology promotes up to 2x faster healing.

For these reasons, NAD recommended that ASO discontinue its “up to 2x faster healing” claims.

In addition, JJCI argued that ASO’s “up to 2x faster” claims falsely imply that ASO’s hydrocolloid bandages have premarket approval from the FDA as Class III medical devices. However, NAD did not find that any of the challenged advertising or claims reasonably conveyed such a message.

In its advertiser statement, ASO stated that it “agrees to comply with NAD’s recommendation” although it believes the up to 2x faster healing claim “to be fully supported” by the studies showing that hydrocolloid bandages offer improved healing times and “disagrees with this aspect of NAD’s 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