Bob Barefoot Settles with FTC 39141

Bob Barefoot Settles with FTC

WASHINGTONRobert Bob Barefoot settled with the Federal TradeCommission (FTC), agreeing to stop making claims that Coral Calcium Supreme orany other coral calcium product can treat or cure cancer, multiple sclerosis,heart disease, high blood pressure or other serious diseases. In addition,Barefoot, Donna Enterprises Inc. and Karbo Enterprises Inc. are prohibited frommaking unsubstantiated claims that coral calcium is more bioavailable than othercalcium supplementsfor instance, Coral Calcium Supreme was touted asproviding the same amount of bioavailable calcium as two gallons of milk.

The settlement, announced Jan. 22, resolves charges brought against thedefendants June 9, 2003. The charges against Kevin Trudeau, Shop America LLC,Shop America Marketing Group LLC and TruStar Global Media Ltd. are stillpending.

Per the settlement, the defendants must recall any product packaging thatmakes the challenged claims. They must also send a notice to resellers anddistributors advising them of FTCs action, and ask them to stop usingpromotional materials containing the deceptive claims.

FTC (www.ftc.gov) will also collect allroyalties owed to defendant Barefoot in connection with the Coral CalciumSupreme infomercial marketing. Based on the defendants financial status, thesettlement does not require additional redress. The settlement does, however,contain an avalanche clause of $3 million if the court finds the defendantsmisrepresented their financial condition.