The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a complaint against pomegranate juice maker Pom Wonderful yesterday for making “false and unsubstantiated claims” regarding the supposed health benefits of their juice. In a recent television appearance, Pom Wonderful owner Lynda Resnick claimed that Pom is “the magical elixir...of all ages...[that] we know...helps circulation...Alzheimers...[and] all sorts of things in the body.” But FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection Director David Vladeck warns consumers that “[anyone] who sees Pom Wonderful products as a silver bullet against disease has been misled.”
ACSH's Dr. Gilbert Ross agrees. “Pom [Not-So] Wonderful’s ‘magical elixir’ is loaded with sugar — thus calories — and it has antioxidants, which have never been proven to do anything for health.”
“This is one of many absurd health food claims that are everywhere and need to be addressed by the FTC, but Pom has been especially aggressive,” says ACSH's Dr. Elizabeth Whelan.
