POM Wonderful stands by its claims -- and keeps ‘em coming
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In response to a warning sent Feb. 22 that it is making drug claims for its juice, POM Wonderful has posted a statement on its website: ‘We are currently reviewing the FDA’s concerns. As strong advocates of honest labeling and fair advertising, POM Wonderful wants its customers to know that all statements made in connection with our products are true, and are supported by an unprecedented body of scientific research.
POM is confident about the depth of our research; we look forward to working with the FDA to resolve these issues and to continued clear and honest communications with consumers about the health benefits of our products.’
Here’s the website where you can read the things POM Wonderful is saying that got the Food and Drug Administration’s knickers in a twist. Atherosclerosis, erectile function, blood flow, blood pressure...all improved by quaffing POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice. (I have a pomegranate tree in my backyard, and little did I know I had the tree of life back there, but then again, it’s not a POM Wonderful tree...)
The most galling thing about the material is the number of times ‘POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice’ is mentioned. The most over-the-top elements are testimonials from POM Wonderful users, such as:
‘I am so thankful for POM! It saved my boyfriend’s life. The man of my dreams was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer .... Upon being diagnosed, he has been drinking two glasses of POM Juice [daily] .... We both believe that POM Juice has been the crucial factor in keeping his PSA levels at an undetectable level. The powerful antioxidants contained in this fluid have also helped keep him healthy enough to fight the side effects of his treatments and give him energy to improve his health....’
Well, if that’s not proof I don’t know what is.
So here’s a question. If you had the FDA breathing down your neck about claims you’re making, what would you do? If you’re POM Wonderful, you slap another claim on your website right after the FDA has rapped your knuckles: ‘Wonderful Pomegranate Speeds Recovery Time And Reduces Muscle Pain After Strenuous Exercise.’ This claim, however, is not about treating or preventing disease, so perhaps the FDA doesn’t care about it.
--Rosie Mestel