Category: Financial Content

New York, NY – October 20, 2022 – A panel of the National Advertising Review Board (NARB), the appellate advertising decision body of BBB National Programs, has determined that Mazee, LLC has reasonable support for claims that its Glee Gum is “plant-based,” “made with chicle,” and “natural.” However, the NARB Panel recommended that the advertiser discontinue claims that Glee Gum is “plastic-free.”

The advertising at issue had been challenged before BBB National Programs’ National Advertising Division (NAD) by Perfetti Van Melle USA, Inc., a competing manufacturer of chewing gum products. Following NAD’s decision (Case No. 7077), the NARB Chair granted Perfetti’s request to appeal the NAD decision that the advertiser had provided a reasonable basis for its express “plastic-free” claims and that the claims did not reasonably communicate any implied falsely denigrating messages. Mazee then cross-appealed NAD’s recommendation to discontinue its “plant-based,” “made with chicle”, and “natural” claims.

The NARB Panel reviewed the evidence provided by the advertiser and concluded that Mazee has a reasonable basis for the express “plant-based,” “made with chicle,” and “natural” claims made on its product labels and website.

 

Regarding the evidence offered by the advertiser in support of these claims, the NARB Panel found that it was reasonable for the advertiser to rely on:

• Representations by its ISO-certified and GMP-accredited gum base supplier that it provides Mazee with a gum base that is 94% chicle tree sap (the other 6% consists of candelilla wax and natural citrus acid);
• Carbon-14 testing conducted by an ISO-certified company that the Glee Gum base is bio-based as opposed to synthetic or petroleum-based;
• Various certifications of the ingredients used in its gum products (e.g., Foodchain ID Non-GMO, Vegan, and Kosher);
• Ingredient lists for each line of Glee Gum products that contain no artificial or synthetic ingredients; and
• Representations from its co-packer that the production process does not alter the nature of the ingredients contained in Glee Gum products.

 

While the NARB Panel did not question the expertise and testing conducted by the challenger’s experts, it did not find that the testing’s results squarely refuted the reasonable support for the claims presented by the advertiser.

However, the NARB Panel recommended that the advertiser discontinue its “plastic-free” claims based on the conclusion that such claims create unsupported implied messages that its product lacks plastic while other gums contain plastic, or that its product is more environmentally friendly than its competitors.

Mazee stated that it “is a supporter of the self-regulatory process and will comply with the NARB’s recommendation. The Advertiser would like to thank the NARB for their time in reviewing this matter.”

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.

 

About BBB National Programs: BBB National Programs is where businesses turn to enhance consumer trust and consumers are heard. The non-profit organization creates a fairer playing field for businesses and a better experience for consumers through the development and delivery of effective third-party accountability and dispute resolution programs. Embracing its role as an independent organization since the restructuring of the Council of Better Business Bureaus in June 2019, BBB National Programs today oversees more than a dozen leading national industry self-regulation programs, and continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-directed marketing, and privacy. To learn more, visit bbbprograms.org.

 

About the National Advertising Review Board (NARB): The National Advertising Review Board (NARB) is the appellate body for BBB National Programs’ advertising self-regulatory programs. NARB’s panel members include 85 distinguished volunteer professionals from the national advertising industry, agencies, and public members, such as academics and former members of the public sector. NARB serves as a layer of independent industry peer review that helps engender trust and compliance in NAD, CARU, and DSSRC matters.

 

Contact:

Abby Hills

Director of Communications, BBB National Programs

703-247-9330 / press@bbbnp.org

McLean, VA – October 18, 2022 – The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC) of BBB National Programs has referred direct selling company Root Wellness LLC to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for possible enforcement action. The referral comes after a lack of compliance by Root Wellness with DSSRC recommendations as well as the company’s inability to substantiate a growing list of health-related product performance claims.

 

At issue are product performance claims disseminated by Root Wellness and its salesforce members on social media communicating the message that Root Wellness products can treat serious health-related conditions including, but not limited to, psoriasis, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, chronic fatigue, fatty liver disease (Hepatic Steatosis), fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, COVID-19, and more.

 

These claims were originally addressed in February 2021 by DSSRC as part of its ongoing independent monitoring of the direct selling marketplace. In March 2022, as part of its compliance process, DSSRC identified additional social media posts communicating product performance claims of concern and reevaluated whether Root Wellness had complied fully with DSSRC’s recommendations. DSSRC determined that because social media posts making unsubstantiated health-related product performance claims remained accessible to the public, Root Wellness was not in compliance with DSSRC’s 2021 recommendations.

 

In addition, the March case brought to light false references to third parties in press releases, such as the BBB and Direct Selling Association, to which Root Wellness is not affiliated.

 

DSSRC requested the removal of all health-related product performance claims that could not be supported by competent and reliable scientific evidence demonstrating that Root Wellness products can effectively produce the results indicated in the health-related claims. In addition, DSSRC recommended that the misleading press releases also be removed.

 

After the compliance inquiry was published in July 2022, Root Wellness not only did not remove the problematic claims from the marketplace but allowed the continued proliferation of serious health-related claims on social media.

 

Root Wellness has provided no competent and reliable evidence in support of the claims being made by its salesforce members, did not demonstrate a good faith effort to have the claims removed, and has not made an effort to curb the dissemination of misleading communications implying endorsements that do not exist for Root Wellness and its products (most recently on October 10, 2022).

 

As a result of this lack of compliance, DSSRC is referring this matter to the FTC and other appropriate government agencies.

 

All BBB National Programs case decision summaries can be found in the case decision library. For the full text of DSSRC decisions, visit the DSSRC Cases and Closures webpage.

 

About BBB National Programs: BBB National Programs is where businesses turn to enhance consumer trust and consumers are heard. The non-profit organization creates a fairer playing field for businesses and a better experience for consumers through the development and delivery of effective third-party accountability and dispute resolution programs. Embracing its role as an independent organization since the restructuring of the Council of Better Business Bureaus in June 2019, BBB National Programs today oversees more than a dozen leading national industry self-regulation programs, and continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-directed marketing, and privacy. To learn more, visit bbbprograms.org.

 

About the Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council: The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC), a division of BBB National Programs, provides independent, impartial monitoring, dispute resolution, and enforcement of false product claims and income representations made by direct selling companies and their salesforce members across digital platforms. The DSSRC seeks to establish high standards of integrity and business ethics for all direct selling companies in the marketplace.

• Huw Cahill joins as the organisation’s new COO  
• XpertHR appoints Mark Brandau as its CMO

17^th October 2022, London – XpertHR, provider of HR data analytics and intelligent solutions, part of the LexisNexis^® Risk Solutions portfolio within RELX, has expanded its senior leadership team with the appointment of Huw Cahill, Chief Operations Officer and Mark Brandau as Chief Marketing Officer.

The appointments follow the launch of Cendex and the organisation’s acquisition of Gapsquare, contributing to XpertHR’s continued growth. With the expansion and strengthening of the senior leadership team, the organisation reinforces its commitment to continuing the evolution and success of the business in a fast-growing market.

Huw Cahill joins as Chief Operations Officer and will be responsible for ensuring a world class experience for customers and the further development of the XpertHR Data Platform which has been instrumental in the development of XpertHR’s data analytics offerings such as Aptifore, Cendex and Gapsquare. Huw has worked with leading global B2B software and data businesses over the last 19 years in multiple markets and sectors, delivering revenue growth, new products and services, building contributory data platforms and driving operational excellence. Huw brings years of experience and a unique insight to the XpertHR leadership team as it continues to accelerate growth.

As the organisation’s new Chief Marketing Officer, Mark Brandau will oversee the organisation’s strategic marketing activity, contributing to its accelerating growth. Before joining XpertHR, Mark was Global Vice President of Portfolio Marketing for iCIMS, where he led the go-to-market strategy and execution of iCIMS Talent Cloud. Prior to this he was Head of Forrester Research’s HCM Practice and was Senior Vice President of Product and Solution Marketing for SAP Success Factors. Mark brings years of experience and expertise in the HR Technology market and is ideally suited to lead XpertHR into new markets with its increasingly sophisticated technology solutions for HR professionals.

Scott Walker, CEO at XpertHR, said: “The world of work is changing rapidly and XpertHR is ideally placed to enable the HR function to address these needs. As our business has evolved to deliver sophisticated data and analytics solutions we need experienced and talented executives to lead our business into these new markets.  Huw and Mark’s combined experience, insight, and passion will ignite fires and push the organisation to new speeds and growth, bringing the technology capabilities, data, and insights to our clients in new and innovative ways. I look forward to working with them as we continue our work to create purposeful workplaces for all.”

Huw Cahill, COO, added: “Having worked in various guises within RELX, I have long admired the commitment to excellence at XpertHR. The ‘people’ part of any business is now more important than ever before and there is such growth potential for us to support businesses across the globe to ensure they remain competitive and successful. I look forward to being part of this exciting next chapter.”

Mark Brandau, CMO, comments: “XpertHR has been on a huge growth journey, and I’m honoured and delighted to be a part of the next phase of success. I’m looking forward to working with the XpertHR team to bring more critical insights and guidance to HR leaders around the world. And I’m excited about the new product innovations and services we’ll introduce as the world of work continues to rapidly evolve.”

About XpertHR
XpertHR is part of RELX, the global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. XpertHR provides expert insight and practical tools to help organisations achieve greater efficiency, reduce risk and increase employee engagement. XpertHR has been providing HR solutions since 2002, empowering organisations to build successful workforces and create a purposeful workplace for all. Today, we are delivering smarter data analysis tools and cutting-edge technology to support future demands on HR in an increasingly digital world.
xperthr.co.uk

About RELX
RELX is a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. The Group serves customers in more than 180 countries and has offices in about 40 countries. It employs over 33,000 people, of whom almost half are in North America. The shares of RELX PLC, the parent company, are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX. The market capitalization is approximately £39bn, €46bn, $54bn.
RELX.com

Media enquiries:
Megan Linehan
Xperthr@rostrum.agency
02034047740

New York, NY – October 13, 2022 – In a BBB National Programs National Advertising Division (NAD) challenge, brought as part of NAD’s routine monitoring of national advertising for truth and transparency, the advertiser Once Upon a Farm voluntarily discontinued advertising claims regarding its Advanced Nutrition Baby Fruit & Veggies Blend.

Once Upon a Farm is a children’s nutrition company that offers a range of organic food for babies and children.

NAD inquired about the advertiser’s Instagram post that featured its Advanced Nutrition Baby Fruit & Veggies Blend and stated:

“Have you tried our NEW Advanced Nutrition Baby Fruit & Veggies Blend for babies yet? Veggie forward with hints of fruit, all three blends are formulated with prebiotics, probiotics, iron, vitamin B12, zinc and DHA – so you can feel comfortable your little ones are getting the nutrition they need for development.”

These statements were followed by a brain emoji and a flexed strong-arm emoji. NAD’s inquiry focused on whether the post created a link between the advertiser’s product ingredients and children’s brain and strength development that requires competent and reliable scientific data as support.

Although Once Upon a Farm provided NAD with evidence in support of its claims, during the proceeding it informed NAD that it had elected to permanently discontinue the challenged express claim for reasons other than the NAD inquiry. Therefore, NAD did not review the claim on its merits.

In its advertiser statement, Once Upon a Farm stated that it “confirms its agreement to comply with NAD’s recommendations.” The advertiser further stated that it is a “strong proponent of truthful advertising and welcomes the opportunity to support NAD’s self-regulation efforts.”

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.

 

 

About BBB National Programs: BBB National Programs is where businesses turn to enhance consumer trust and consumers are heard. The non-profit organization creates a fairer playing field for businesses and a better experience for consumers through the development and delivery of effective third-party accountability and dispute resolution programs. Embracing its role as an independent organization since the restructuring of the Council of Better Business Bureaus in June 2019, BBB National Programs today oversees more than a dozen leading national industry self-regulation programs, and continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-directed marketing, and privacy. 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.

 • Inspectors find 19 new MICHELIN-Starred eateries in the Big Apple, including two with two Stars

 • 73 restaurants achieve MICHELIN-Star status – five with three Stars

 • 18 new Bib Gourmand restaurants make the list

NEW YORK, Oct. 6, 2022 — Seventy-three restaurants received MICHELIN-Star status in the 2022 MICHELIN^® Guide New York selection – including 19 awarded Stars for the first time, headlined by Al Coro and Saga earning two Stars.

Five restaurants in the selection retained their three-MICHELIN-Star distinctions.

“New York’s culinary landscape is definitely back on its feet, growing bigger and bigger, proposing more and more innovative offers, ready to achieve new challenges and to reach higher success,” said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guides. “We’re also pleased to honor all restaurant teams for their hard work, resilience and unfailing creativity. With 465 restaurants in this 2022 selection, including no less than 62 different cuisine types, from Bib Gourmand to Starred eateries, we have absolutely no doubt that every food lover will find their own tailor-made gem and will experience not only a thrilling, fascinating and dynamic Big Apple, but also, a fabulously tasty one!”

Here are the new MICHELIN-Starred restaurants, with inspector notes from each (inspector comments in full on the MICHELIN Guide website and mobile app):

Two MICHELIN Stars

Al Coro (Chelsea; Italian cuisine)

Chef Melissa Rodriguez is back at this long-awaited spot. The dining room sets the stage for a kitchen that dances behind the curtain, reveling in the unexpected and sidestepping tradition for a fixed menu of modern Italian dishes with subtle nods to New York.

Saga (Financial District; Contemporary cuisine)

Saga is the crown of 70 Pine Street, a landmark tower that rises over 60 stories. Chef James Kent never allows his cuisine to be overshadowed by the setting, however.

Along with his talented team, he presents diners with compositions that embrace luxury, seasonality and urbane inspiration.

One MICHELIN Star

63 Clinton (Lower East Side; Contemporary cuisine)

Under the calm leadership of Chef Samuel Clonts, 63 Clinton is anything but ordinary. In fact, diners can expect a wonderful and surprising meal with an eye toward finesse.

Clover Hill (Brooklyn Heights; Contemporary cuisine)

On a quiet, residential street in Brooklyn Heights, talented Chef Charlie Mitchell cooks with irresistible suaveness and confidence, making the most out of top-rate ingredients, delicious sauces and thoughtful combinations.

Dirt Candy (Lower East Side; Vegetarian cuisine)

Chef Amanda Cohen was an advocate of vegetable- and plant-based cooking long before it was cool, and her Lower East Side flagship continues to flourish as a pioneer in ethical eating with refined technique. A single tasting menu yields a breadth of dishes that never masquerade as meat.

Frevo (Greenwich Village; Contemporary cuisine)

Frevo is that rare restaurant that flies just under the radar but deserves to be in the spotlight, as Chef Franco Sampogna and his team have serious résumés. It’s a tasting-menu-only spot that doubles as a gallery. The small scale only adds to its exclusivity. Watch as the crew plates contemporary French dishes with a keen eye toward texture.

Icca (Tribeca; Japanese/Sushi cuisine)

Chef counters are a treat, but a seat in front of Chef Kazushige Suzuki feels like a best-kept secret. The room has a presence of its own, notable in scale and hidden away in the back past a cocktail bar. The chef sources fish entirely from Japan and keeps his nigiri traditional.

Joomak Banjum (Midtown West; Asian cuisine)

What started out as a homegrown pop-up has evolved into this handsome, brick-and- mortar operation at the edge of Koreatown. Chef Jiho Kim and pastry maven Kelly Nam merge global flavors on their approachable tasting that riffs on familiar dishes like jajangmyeon, made here with squid ink-sourdough noodles. 

L’Abeille (Tribeca; French cuisine)

Chef Mitsunobu Nagae is a calm, collected presence in the open kitchen, and years spent working at Joël Robuchon restaurants worldwide are evident. A harmonious union of French cooking with Japanese sensibilities, Nagae’s food is immediately approachable.

Le Pavillon (Midtown East; French cuisine)

Chef Daniel Boulud has done it again, fashioning a room that makes the well-heeled feel right at home. Chefs Michael Balboni and Will Nacev head the kitchen which skillfully prepares a contemporary, globally inflected carte dominated by seafood and vegetable-focused items.

Mari (Midtown West; Korean cuisine)

Mari, which means “roll” in Korean, is Hell’s Kitchen’s latest destination from talented Chef Sungchul Shim, who made a name for himself at Kochi, just down the street.

The chef reimagines the hand roll genre as a tasting menu primed with top-notch ingredients and Korean flavors.

Noz 17 (Chelsea; Japanese/Sushi cuisine)

This little den is helmed by Chef Junichi Matsuzaki, and the chef’s precise, seasonally driven omakase offers an array of robust otsumami, sashimi and nigiri.

Oiji Mi (Gramercy; Korean cuisine)

Practice does make perfect, evidenced by Chef Brian Kim and his team, who honed their modern Korean cuisine at the now-shuttered Oiji before moving uptown to open Oiji Mi. This time, they’ve delivered a notch above, with a sleek space attended to by a fleet of staff. There is a refinement and a more subtle approach to flavors on this five-course prix fixe menu.

One White Street (Tribeca; Contemporary cuisine)

This 19th-century townhouse has been transformed into a destination of culinary excellence, thanks to Chef Austin Johnson and Master Sommelier Dustin Wilson. The lower level operates more like a wine bar with a casual menu and crowds aplenty, while the higher floors offer a seasonal tasting menu starring products sourced from their upstate farm.

Red Paper Clip (Greenwich Village; Contemporary cuisine)

Blue Hill at Stone Barns alum Chef Kevin Chen made a name for himself with a series of pop-ups before establishing this stylish Asian-leaning delight. The team’s steadfast commitment to local farms is the cornerstone of this kitchen, and seasonal dishes showcase the young chef’s Taiwanese heritage and Queens upbringing through a fine- dining lens.

Semma (Greenwich Village; Indian cuisine)

Chef Vijay Kumar, most recently of San Francisco’s Rasa, switched coasts to run the show at Semma, where regional south Indian cuisine is on full display.

Shion 69 Leonard Street (Tribeca; Japanese/Sushi cuisine)

Now under the command of Chef Shion Uino, this quiet sushi-ya features prized, beautiful seafood sourced primarily from Japan. The product is whole and luscious every time, which is all the more reason why the nigiri sees little beyond a dot of wasabi and dab of nikiri.

Torien (Greenwich Village; Japanese/Yakitori cuisine)

This sibling to Torishiki in Tokyo arrives to NYC by way of NoHo. Chef/owner Yoshiteru Ikegawa may be found working his skills like a master pianist — turning, fanning, saucing and brushing. It’s a pristine workspace, and the menu is a tribute to the yakitori tradition.

Yoshino (East Village; Japanese/Sushi cuisine)

Revered Tokyo chef Tadashi “Edowan” Yoshida has landed in NYC. Dinner here serves up an element of theater, so much so that diners will find themselves leaning forward to absorb every detail. The main event though just might be the nigiri.

Bib Gourmands

The MICHELIN Guide inspectors added 18 restaurants to the Bib Gourmand list, which recognizes eateries for great food at a great value: Antoya, Chick Chick, Chutney Masala, Covacha, Dhamaka, Dumpling Lab, Jiang Nan, Le Fanfare, Porcelain, Rolo’s, Runner Up, Sami & Susu, Sobre Masa, Soda Club, Szechuan Gourmet, TVB by: Pax Romana, Yellow Rose and Zaab Zaab.

Special Awards

In addition to the Bib Gourmands and Stars, the Guide announced five special awards:

 

The MICHELIN Guide New York Selection:

The MICHELIN Guide Star Revelation event is presented with the support of Capital One.

The full New York selection is available free of charge on the MICHELIN Guide website and app. The restaurants join the MICHELIN Guide selection of hotels, which features the most unique and exciting places to stay in New York and throughout the world.

Every hotel in the Guide is chosen for its extraordinary style, service, and personality — with options for all budgets — and each hotel can be booked directly through the MICHELIN Guide website and app. The selection for New York currently features the city’s most spectacular hotels, including sustainability pioneers like the Standard High Line, standouts from our “Plus” collection like the Whitby and the Maritime, resurrected legends like the Hotel Chelsea, new fascinations like Nine Orchard, and the best of the outer boroughs, like the Wythe Hotel in Brooklyn and the Boro Hotel in Queens.

The MICHELIN Guide is a benchmark in gastronomy. Now it’s setting a new standard for hotels. Visit the MICHELIN Guide website, or download the free app for iOS and Android, to discover every restaurant in the selection and book an unforgettable hotel.

 

New York’s 2022 Starred Establishments

Watch LIVE  on Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern as chefs and restaurant teams receive their awards at the MICHELIN Guide Star Revelation event!

New York’s 2022 Bib Gourmands

About Michelin North America, Inc.

Michelin, the leading mobility company, is working with tires, around tires and beyond tires to enable Motion for Life. Dedicated to enhancing its clients’ mobility and sustainability, Michelin designs and distributes the most suitable tires, services and solutions for its customers’ needs. Michelin provides digital services, maps and guides to help enrich trips and travels and make them unique experiences. Bringing its expertise to new markets, the company is investing in high-technology materials, 3D printing and hydrogen, to serve a wide a variety of industries — from aerospace to biotech.

Headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, Michelin North America has approximately 22,500 employees and operates 34 production facilities in the United States and Canada. (michelinman.com)

About Capital One

At Capital One we’re on a mission for our customers – bringing them best-in-class products, rewards, service, and experiences. Capital One is a diversified bank that offers products and services to individuals, small businesses and commercial clients. We use technology, innovation, and interaction to provide consumers with products and services to meet their needs. Through Capital One Dining and Capital One Entertainment, we provide our rewards cardholders with access to unforgettable experiences in the areas they’re passionate about, including dining, music and sports.
Learn more at capitalone.com/dining and capitalone.com/entertainment.

For more information, contact:

Andrew Festa

Michelin North America
andrew.festa@michelin.com

Devon Gunn

Capital One

devon.gunn@capitalone.com
Phone: 571-308-4762