09.01.09
Agreeing to settle FTC charges of false and deceptive advertising related to its “Germ Defense” tablets and lozenges, Rite Aid Corporation, Harrisburg, PA, has agreed to pay $500,000 in consumer refunds. Rite Aid marketed the Germ Defense products by touting their similarity to “Airborne” products in their ability to prevent and treat colds and the flu or reduce the severity and duration of these illnesses. FTC has also charged Rite Aid’s supplier, Improvita Health Products, Inc., Cleveland, OH, with false and deceptive advertising in an ongoing case. Rite Aid is required to post a refund notice, along with postage-pre-paid refund request forms, in a clear and conspicuous location in the cold-and-flu aisle at each of its stores for 60 days beginning October 1. Consumers will have until December 31 to submit refund requests for up to six packages of Germ Defense.