Compilation of NAD Challenges


Please note, the CRN/NAD program will close as of July 2020, but companies can still file their own cases independently as always. Learn more...


CRN's summary of the dietary supplement advertising decisions issued by the National Advertising Division (NAD) in conjunction with the CRN/NAD Advertising Review Program can help stakeholders better understand what claims raise red flags—so they can avoid making these kinds of claims. CRN publishes this web page as a service to its members and for informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for legal advice. Please consult professional legal counsel with any specific questions or for legal advice regarding the information published on this website.

There are two ways to view program cases on CRN's website:

  • Search via the fields provided below for specific results—scroll and page through to browse cases that meet your criteria. For fields without dropdown menus (Advertiser, Product, Challenger, and Examples of Claims) the field will provide available options if you start typing.  If no criteria is chosen, all cases are displayed by date of decision, most recent.

  • Or, click here for a table view in a new window.

Contact CRN if you need assistance or would like to request the data in another format.

Please visit the online archive of the Advertising Self-Regulatory Council for subscription access to complete decisions.


Search cases 2007— March 2019

Date of Decision Between
Results of your search criteria appear here. If no criteria is entered, cases are displayed by most recent date of decision.
Advertiser:
ProPhase Labs, Inc.
Product:
Cold-EEZE®
Case Number:
5545
Type:
  • Case Report
Date of Decision:
Referred to Government Agency:
No
Challenger:
Matrixx Initiatives, Inc.
Supplement Category:
  • Immune Health
Types of Claims:
  • Establishment
  • Efficacy
  • Implied Claim
  • Comparative
  • Superiority
Examples of Claims:
  • Clinical Studies have shown: the Cold-EEZE® proprietary formula reduces the duration and severity of colds by nearly half.
  • Cold-EEZE®...releases zinc ions, which interfere with the cold virus’ ability to reproduce.
Advertiser:
Ampersand Industries, LLC
Product:
Trimedisyn Prenatal Vitamin
Case Number:
5539
Type:
  • Case Report
Date of Decision:
Referred to Government Agency:
No
Challenger:
CRN
Supplement Category:
  • Prenatal Health
Types of Claims:
  • Performance
Examples of Claims:
  • Daily intake of Folic Acid (400 mcg) can help prevent having a child with a brain or spinal cord birth defect.
  • Scientific evidence suggests that calcium supplements may reduce the risk hypertension and pregnancy-related hypertension and preeclampsia during pregnancy.
  • Probiotics can help reduce occurrences of eczema shown in double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trials.
Advertiser:
Body Dynamics, Inc.
Product:
Mega Cleanse
Case Number:
5538
Type:
  • Case Report
Date of Decision:
Referred to Government Agency:
No
Challenger:
CRN
Supplement Category:
  • Liver Health
  • Weight Loss
  • Blood Sugar
Types of Claims:
  • Efficacy
Examples of Claims:
  • Contains 42 herbs and super foods to cleanse toxins from the liver, colon, kidneys, lymphatic system and blood.
  • Herbs in this formula help to stabilize blood sugar levels.
  • Herbs in this formula help to stabilize blood sugar levels.
Advertiser:
Nature's Answer, LLC
Product:
Bio-Strath Food Supplement
Case Number:
5536
Type:
  • Case Report
Date of Decision:
Referred to Government Agency:
No
Challenger:
CRN
Supplement Category:
  • Immune Health
  • Cognitive
Types of Claims:
  • Efficacy
  • Clinically Proven/Shown
Examples of Claims:
  • io-Strath groups yielded better results in terms of the general state of health, concentration, fatigue, vitality and stress, along with fewer absences from work, than the flu vaccination group and the control group.
  • 76% improvement in ADD/ADHD; better grades as a result of higher levels of concentration.
Advertiser:
Proactive Life, LLC
Product:
Diabetes Support Supplements
Case Number:
5535
Type:
  • Case Report
Date of Decision:
Referred to Government Agency:
No
Challenger:
CRN
Supplement Category:
  • Diabetes
  • Cholesterol
Types of Claims:
  • Performance
Examples of Claims:
  • Lower bad cholesterol.
  • Turmeric lowers insulin levels by 20%.
Advertiser:
Borba, Inc.
Product:
Skin Balance Water Products (Age Defying / Clarifying / Firming / Replenishing)
Case Number:
5529
Type:
  • Case Report
Date of Decision:
Referred to Government Agency:
No
Challenger:
NAD
Supplement Category:
  • Skin Health
Types of Claims:
  • Performance
Examples of Claims:
  • Scientifically designed blend of nutrients intended to help with clogged pores, troubled skin and multiple impurities and allow your body to help skin regenerate its natural support system and improve clarity.
  • Age-fighting skin renewers intended to enhance your youthful appearance by softening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and renew skin’s natural glow.
  • Intended to promote the skin’s natural support system, helping to nourish and tone the skin.
Advertiser:
Barlow Herbal Specialities, Inc.
Product:
LDM-100
Case Number:
5421C
Type:
  • Compliance
Date of Decision:
Referred to Government Agency:
No
Challenger:
CRN
Supplement Category:
  • Antibiotic
Types of Claims:
  • Efficacy
  • Establishment
Examples of Claims:
  • Broad spectrum plant antibiotic, Virastatic, Bacteriostatic, Fungicidal (influenza, colds, respiratory and urinary infections, staph and strep infections, skin infections, warts, etc.)”
  • Implied claim that LDM-100 performs like a pharmaceutical grade antibiotic.
Advertiser:
Healthy Directions, LLC
Product:
Joint Gold Advantage
Case Number:
5512
Type:
  • Case Report
Date of Decision:
Referred to Government Agency:
No
Challenger:
CRN
Supplement Category:
  • Joint Health
Types of Claims:
  • Efficacy
Examples of Claims:
  • Reduce joint pain - in as little as 7 days!
  • Build healthy joint cartilage.
  • Eliminate stiffness.
Advertiser:
Abbott Nutrition
Product:
Ensure Clinical Strength Nutrition Supplement
Case Number:
5501
Type:
  • Case Report
Date of Decision:
Referred to Government Agency:
No
Challenger:
Nestlé Healthcare Nutrition Inc.
Supplement Category:
  • General Health
Types of Claims:
  • Efficacy
  • Clinically Proven/Shown
Examples of Claims:
  • Ensure nutritional drink is “clinical strength” and provides “clinical nutrition” that will help ailing patients to recover more quickly.
  • 3 out of 4 doctors recommend the Ensure Clinical Strength variety and is the number one doctor recommended drink and as opposed to the Ensure brand (implied claims).
Advertiser:
Pharmapro, Inc.
Product:
Sterodrol Supplements
Case Number:
5489
Type:
  • Case Report
Date of Decision:
Referred to Government Agency:
No
Challenger:
CRN
Supplement Category:
  • Body Building
Types of Claims:
  • Efficacy
  • Clinically Proven/Shown
Examples of Claims:
  • The most powerful size and strength gaining compound available.
  • he most powerful legal steroid alternative.