Gerber Products Company

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IN THE MATTER OF GERBER PRODUCTS COMPANY CONSENT ORDER, ETC., INREGARD TO ALLEGED VIOLATION OF SECS. 5 AND 12 OF THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION ACT Docket C-3744. Complaint, May 27, 1997--Decision, May 27, 1997 This consent order prohibits Gerber, among other things, from making any claims, without competent and reliable scientific substantiation, about the extent to which doctors or other health, nutrition, child care or medical professionals recommend, approve of, or endorse baby or toddler food; and from misrepresenting the results or existence of any survey, test or research. Appearances For the Commission: Jill E. Samuels and Rosemary Rosso. For the respondent: John J. James and Jane Gennaro, in-house counsel, Fremont, MI.

COMPLAINT The Federal Trade Commission, having reason to believe that Gerber Products Company, a corporation ("respondent"), has violated the provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Act, and it appearing to the Commission that this proceeding is in the public interest, alleges:

1. Respondent Gerber Products Company ("Gerber") is a Michigan corporation with its principal office or place of business at 445 State Street, Fremont, Michigan.

2. Respondent has manufactured, advertised, labeled, offered for sale, sold, and distributed products to the public, including Gerber baby and toddler foods. Gerber baby and toddler foods are foods within the meaning of Sections 12 and 15 of the Federal Trade Commission Act.

3. The acts and practices of respondent alleged in this complaint have been in or affecting commerce, as commerce is defined in Section 4 of the Federal Trade Commission Act. 4. Respondent has disseminated or has caused to be disseminated advertisements for Gerber baby and toddler foods, including but not necessarily limited to the attached Exhibits A through D. These advertisements contain the following statements and depictions: Complaint 123 F.T.C.

A. [Depiction: Smiling baby] VOICEOVER: There's5 1 2 1 2 3 905 448 88 46 96.521790 only5 1 2 1 2 4 1008 460 71 25 96.525307 ones 1 2 1 2 5 1092 448 97 46 96.093666 baby5 1 2 1 2 6 1204 447 71 36 97.000000 likes 1 2 1 2 7 1291 445 142 48 96.184868 yours. [Depiction: Jar of Gerber baby food] VOICEOVER: Ands 1 2 1 4 3 846 563 88 46 95.439873 only5 1 2 1 4 4 949 574 71 25 95.345146 ones 1 2 1 4 5 1034 562 98 47 96.855652 baby5 1 2 1 4 6 1147 561 89 37 97.012321 foods 1 2 1 4 7 1251 561 71 36 96.973900 likes 1 2 1 4 8 1338 571 96 25 96.690536 ours.5 1 2 1 4 9 1451 558 172 37 95.610039 Gerber. [Depiction: Fresh apples] VOICEOVER: No5 1 2 1 6 3 813 688 69 25 96.326248 ones 1 2 1 6 4 894 676 129 37 96.326248 knows5 1 2 1 6 5 1036 688 101 25 96.419861 more5 1 2 1 6 6 1152 676 111 36 96.419861 about5 1 2 1 6 7 1274 675 132 47 92.967346 purity,5 1 2 1 6 8 1425 703 6 7 89.384468 .5 1 2 1 6 9 1450 702 6 7 67.690338 .5 1 2 1 6 10 1475 673 27 35 67.690338 . [Depiction: Fresh carrots] VOICEOVER: .5 1 2 1 7 3 774 764 6 6 52.674339 .5 1 2 1 7 4 800 764 6 7 52.674339 .5 1 2 1 7 5 823 735 119 45 96.594193 safety5 1 2 1 7 6 957 734 72 36 96.594193 ands 1 2 1 7 7 1042 733 172 37 89.164886 nutrition5 1 2 1 7 8 1230 762 6 7 89.164886 .5 1 2 1 7 9 1255 762 7 6 91.281830 .5 1 2 1 7 10 1281 732 26 36 82.562286 . [Depiction: Toddler being fed] VOICEOVER: .5 1 2 1 8 3 787 822 7 6 56.902153 .5 1 2 1 8 4 812 821 7 7 63.843884 .5 1 2 1 8 5 837 792 93 46 96.735741 (ands 1 2 1 8 6 941 791 87 36 96.907227 how5 1 2 1 8 7 1041 796 38 31 96.842636 to5 1 2 1 8 8 1094 790 106 37 96.879387 makes 1 2 1 8 9 1215 801 81 25 96.825127 sures 1 2 1 8 10 1309 789 98 45 96.590904 baby5 1 2 1 8 11 1423 787 92 37 96.480820 likes5 1 2 1 8 12 1530 786 60 46 77.068474 it!)5 1 2 1 8 13 1608 816 6 6 55.014870 .5 1 2 1 8 14 1635 816 6 6 55.014870 .5 1 2 1 8 15 1661 786 28 37 84.578514 . [Depiction: Jars of Gerber baby and toddler food] VOICEOVER: ...5 1 2 1 10 3 823 906 85 36 96.321602 than5 1 2 1 10 4 921 906 145 36 96.017448 Gerber.5 1 2 1 10 5 1093 907 53 35 96.888657 To5 1 2 1 10 6 1160 905 97 36 96.870796 learns 1 2 1 10 7 1268 915 100 26 96.988930 more5 1 2 1 10 8 1383 902 84 48 96.931160 why5 1 2 1 10 9 1481 902 82 36 96.984138 four5 1 2 1 10 10 1575 905 66 33 96.970955 outs 1 2 1 10 11 1653 900 47 37 96.970955 of5 1 2 1 10 12 1707 900 75 36 96.999298 five5 1 2 1 10 13 1795 898 251 49 96.942398 pediatricians4 1 2 1 11 0 408 960 1067 50 -1 5 1 2 1 11 1 408 967 86 36 96.497391 who5 1 2 1 11 2 509 964 238 38 96.407799 recommends 1 2 1 11 3 759 963 98 47 96.743286 baby5 1 2 1 11 4 873 963 92 37 96.735420 foods 1 2 1 11 5 978 963 237 37 96.387741 recommends 1 2 1 11 6 1230 961 148 44 93.235596 Gerber,5 1 2 1 11 7 1396 990 7 6 80.822716 .5 1 2 1 11 8 1423 990 5 6 69.292313 .5 1 2 1 11 9 1448 960 27 36 69.292313 . (Depiction: Baby being fed] 1-800-4-GERBER VOICEOVER: ...5 1 2 1 13 3 821 1078 69 37 85.125259 calls 1 2 1 13 4 903 1090 53 32 96.264511 us,5 1 2 1 13 5 971 1078 168 47 96.427254 anytime,5 1 2 1 13 6 1153 1078 46 36 96.766006 days 1 2 1 13 7 1235 1089 41 24 96.674736 or5 1 2 1 13 8 1286 1076 110 48 95.255554 night.5 1 2 1 13 9 1423 1076 84 36 96.358261 You5 1 2 1 13 10 1519 1074 113 37 96.651291 knows 1 2 1 13 11 1644 1085 75 34 96.920067 you5 1 2 1 13 12 1732 1084 70 25 96.937866 cans 1 2 1 13 13 1814 1077 87 32 96.922096 trusts 1 2 1 13 14 1913 1070 136 38 96.777100 Gerber4 1 2 1 14 0 411 1123 829 49 -1 5 1 2 1 14 1 411 1127 79 36 71.551407 ... [Depiction: Woman eating an apple] For5 1 2 1 15 2 515 1183 160 46 96.964569 learning5 1 2 1 15 3 690 1189 38 30 97.007256 to5 1 2 1 15 4 744 1188 58 30 96.984909 eats 1 2 1 15 5 816 1188 120 38 96.398247 smart,5 1 2 1 15 6 951 1181 98 47 96.404739 rights 1 2 1 15 7 1063 1182 97 35 96.741890 from5 1 2 1 15 8 1174 1180 58 37 95.763763 thes 1 2 1 15 9 1247 1179 115 38 96.132385 start. VOICEOVER: .5 1 2 1 16 3 788 1269 7 7 79.753975 .5 1 2 1 16 4 813 1269 6 7 79.753975 .5 1 2 1 16 5 838 1239 57 36 96.798325 for5 1 2 1 16 6 909 1239 165 46 96.630074 learning5 1 2 1 16 7 1089 1244 36 31 96.861633 to5 1 2 1 16 8 1141 1243 57 32 96.101387 eats 1 2 1 16 9 1211 1243 120 38 96.652527 smart,5 1 2 1 16 10 1346 1236 97 47 96.995628 rights 1 2 1 16 11 1456 1236 100 36 96.827888 from5 1 2 1 16 12 1568 1234 61 37 96.827888 thes 1 2 1 16 13 1646 1233 117 38 87.564964 start. [Exhibit A, television advertisement] B. [Ad translated from Spanish] [SFX: Baby crying] WOMAN: Oh!5 1 2 2 2 3 771 1413 110 34 94.709343 Mom5 1 2 2 2 4 897 1411 111 36 94.709343 could5 1 2 2 2 5 1024 1422 76 35 95.391464 you5 1 2 2 2 6 1115 1410 97 37 95.391464 hands 1 2 2 2 7 1227 1421 59 24 95.665283 me5 1 2 2 2 8 1303 1409 59 36 96.940720 thes 1 2 2 2 9 1378 1408 98 46 96.852646 baby5 1 2 2 2 10 1494 1405 92 38 96.741585 foods 1 2 2 2 11 1603 1407 100 35 96.067154 from5 1 2 2 2 12 1717 1405 61 37 96.067154 thes 1 2 2 2 13 1794 1404 161 36 96.566856 kitchen.5 1 2 2 2 14 1973 1402 77 37 96.751244 Thea 1 2 2 3 0 408 1469 338 48 -1 5 1 2 2 3 1 408 1471 100 46 96.812836 baby5 1 2 2 3 2 523 1470 30 36 96.273590 is5 1 2 2 3 3 567 1469 179 46 96.018257 hungry! MOM: Hey,5 1 2 2 4 3 689 1526 67 36 96.790337 but5 1 2 2 4 4 771 1532 65 30 95.425835 not5 1 2 2 4 5 849 1525 49 37 95.425835 all5 1 2 2 4 6 912 1525 47 37 96.423508 of5 1 2 2 4 7 968 1525 101 36 96.496490 them5 1 2 2 4 8 1083 1536 58 25 96.496490 ares 1 2 2 4 9 1156 1524 168 36 96.498344 Gerber. WOMAN: But5 1 2 2 5 3 744 1584 105 36 96.997177 those5 1 2 2 5 4 864 1594 60 25 97.002281 ares 1 2 2 5 5 939 1583 72 36 96.536026 less5 1 2 2 5 6 1028 1582 209 47 96.397873 expensive.5 1 2 2 5 7 1253 1581 125 37 96.730461 Aren't5 1 2 2 5 8 1390 1580 86 46 96.777557 they5 1 2 2 5 9 1491 1578 48 37 96.414375 all5 1 2 2 5 10 1554 1578 60 37 96.734764 thes 1 2 2 5 11 1632 1578 144 36 96.701920 same? MOM: Of5 1 2 2 6 3 649 1653 131 25 96.703888 courses 1 2 2 6 4 795 1647 74 30 96.821419 not.5 1 2 2 6 5 899 1641 140 36 96.821419 Gerber5 1 2 2 6 6 1054 1641 30 36 96.996407 is5 1 2 2 6 7 1099 1639 59 37 96.991943 thes 1 2 2 6 8 1173 1644 97 32 96.543251 most5 1 2 2 6 9 1281 1636 288 39 96.581223 recommended5 1 2 2 6 10 1582 1635 53 47 96.921280 by5 1 2 2 6 11 1648 1634 293 48 96.324562 pediatricians. VOICEOVER: She5 1 2 2 7 3 842 1699 130 36 96.870491 knows5 1 2 2 7 4 988 1698 77 36 96.467308 that5 1 2 2 7 5 1080 1698 98 36 95.744499 there5 1 2 2 7 6 1194 1698 30 35 95.744499 is5 1 2 2 7 7 1239 1696 155 46 96.913635 nothing5 1 2 2 7 8 1409 1705 102 27 96.888580 more5 1 2 2 7 9 1527 1693 195 37 96.572861 nutritious5 1 2 2 7 10 1739 1692 75 37 96.980255 ands 1 2 2 7 11 1827 1690 152 38 96.024902 reliable5 1 2 2 7 12 1995 1690 59 37 97.012482 fora 1 2 2 8 0 410 1747 1645 54 -1 5 1 2 2 8 1 410 1758 142 37 96.914444 babies.5 1 2 2 8 2 571 1758 52 36 96.738556 As5 1 2 2 8 3 640 1768 21 25 96.450958 a5 1 2 2 8 4 677 1762 131 31 96.450958 matters 1 2 2 8 5 823 1756 47 37 96.737144 of5 1 2 2 8 6 882 1756 85 44 95.994926 fact,5 1 2 2 8 7 986 1756 85 36 95.994926 four5 1 2 2 8 8 1087 1761 64 31 96.813103 outs 1 2 2 8 9 1167 1755 44 36 96.813103 of5 1 2 2 8 10 1223 1765 110 36 96.955688 every5 1 2 2 8 11 1351 1753 76 37 96.892326 five5 1 2 2 8 12 1443 1750 260 50 96.872406 pediatricians5 1 2 2 8 13 1721 1750 78 37 96.792068 that5 1 2 2 8 14 1814 1747 241 38 95.496208 recommenda 1 2 2 9 0 410 1813 643 49 -1 5 1 2 2 9 1 410 1817 99 45 96.084366 baby5 1 2 2 9 2 524 1815 90 37 96.838585 foods 1 2 2 9 3 628 1814 240 37 95.971329 recommends 1 2 2 9 4 881 1813 172 38 93.963501 Gerber. WOMAN: Now5 1 2 2 10 3 790 1872 76 36 96.953125 that5 1 2 2 10 4 886 1873 17 36 96.693748 I5 1 2 2 10 5 925 1872 112 36 96.422928 knows 1 2 2 10 6 1061 1872 15 35 96.581421 I5 1 2 2 10 7 1098 1870 78 37 96.412361 will5 1 2 2 10 8 1198 1871 136 45 96.057442 always5 1 2 2 10 9 1357 1869 76 45 96.492439 buys 1 2 2 10 10 1456 1867 150 37 96.492439 Gerber.5 1 2 2 10 11 1632 1867 71 46 96.122543 My5 1 2 2 10 12 1724 1865 129 46 96.198334 baby's5 1 2 2 10 13 1875 1863 125 38 96.282883 health5 1 2 2 10 14 2022 1864 31 36 96.282883 is4 1 2 2 11 0 411 1929 684 50 -1 5 1 2 2 11 1 411 1930 206 49 87.815254 priceless. [SFX: Baby laughing] - VOICEOVER: For5 1 2 2 12 4 825 1977 16 61 96.971420 a5 1 2 2 12 5 867 1987 117 36 96.362129 better5 1 2 2 12 6 998 1992 87 31 96.031242 starts 1 2 2 12 7 1098 1986 38 37 96.802757 in5 1 2 2 12 8 1151 1986 75 44 95.955803 life,5 1 2 2 12 9 1242 1986 84 46 95.955803 gives 1 2 2 12 10 1341 1983 80 37 96.839447 him5 1 2 2 12 11 1433 1983 89 46 96.936714 only5 1 2 2 12 12 1536 1981 174 38 96.552742 Gerber. [Exhibit B, radio advertisement] C. [Gerber ran a promotion in which consumers who purchased a jar of Beech- Nut baby food were given a checkout coupon for Gerber baby food that offered five minutes of free long-distance telephone time upon calling an 800-number and listening to the following recording] Congratulations5 1 2 3 5 2 783 2344 49 25 96.379425 on5 1 2 3 5 3 854 2344 94 35 96.933815 yours 1 2 3 5 4 971 2332 76 37 96.676849 free5 1 2 3 5 5 1073 2332 75 36 96.694633 five5 1 2 3 5 6 1172 2332 155 35 96.605156 minutes5 1 2 3 5 7 1353 2330 45 36 96.866417 of5 1 2 3 5 8 1418 2330 85 45 96.409485 long5 1 2 3 5 9 1527 2328 178 43 96.623070 distance,5 1 2 3 5 10 1730 2325 262 47 96.673340 compliments5 1 2 3 5 11 2016 2325 46 35 97.005508 of4 1 2 3 6 0 414 2382 1643 53 -1 5 1 2 3 6 1 414 2392 153 37 96.730812 Gerber.5 1 2 3 6 2 588 2391 141 37 96.953171 Gerber5 1 2 3 6 3 747 2391 92 36 96.620209 feels5 1 2 3 6 4 858 2391 101 37 96.620209 there5 1 2 3 6 5 978 2402 59 24 96.894638 ares 1 2 3 6 6 1057 2403 20 23 96.947777 a5 1 2 3 6 7 1097 2390 73 36 96.758949 few5 1 2 3 6 8 1188 2389 119 46 96.751328 things5 1 2 3 6 9 1326 2400 76 35 97.010330 you5 1 2 3 6 10 1420 2385 134 39 96.451897 should5 1 2 3 6 11 1571 2386 125 36 96.870979 know.5 1 2 3 6 12 1716 2386 72 35 96.913498 For5 1 2 3 6 13 1806 2395 84 32 96.890472 one,5 1 2 3 6 14 1910 2382 147 47 96.366562 nobody4 1 2 3 7 0 413 2439 1643 56 -1 5 1 2 3 7 1 413 2450 129 36 96.621933 makes5 1 2 3 7 2 564 2461 18 24 96.879280 a5 1 2 3 7 3 603 2449 96 36 96.656204 safer5 1 2 3 7 4 717 2449 99 46 96.606903 baby5 1 2 3 7 5 838 2448 92 37 96.549789 foods 1 2 3 7 6 950 2448 86 36 96.822243 than5 1 2 3 7 7 1057 2448 148 36 96.672241 Gerber.5 1 2 3 7 8 1227 2447 95 43 96.672241 Plus,5 1 2 3 7 9 1345 2446 83 36 96.978760 four5 1 2 3 7 10 1449 2449 62 32 96.317314 outs 1 2 3 7 11 1531 2444 47 36 96.672920 of5 1 2 3 7 12 1593 2443 78 36 97.007210 five5 1 2 3 7 13 1691 2442 260 49 96.866402 pediatricians5 1 2 3 7 14 1971 2439 85 37 96.828735 who4 1 2 3 8 0 414 2498 1645 56 -1 5 1 2 3 8 1 414 2507 241 37 96.073036 recommends 1 2 3 8 2 671 2506 99 48 96.774376 baby5 1 2 3 8 3 787 2506 91 36 96.623657 foods 1 2 3 8 4 893 2505 241 37 95.719772 recommends 1 2 3 8 5 1150 2505 147 36 96.574776 Gerber.5 1 2 3 8 6 1315 2503 87 37 96.784615 Ands 1 2 3 8 7 1418 2502 150 46 96.643044 nobody5 1 2 3 8 8 1585 2501 77 36 96.064430 else5 1 2 3 8 9 1677 2500 134 37 96.774948 knows5 1 2 3 8 10 1827 2511 103 24 96.324677 more5 1 2 3 8 11 1947 2498 112 36 96.836075 about4 1 2 3 9 0 414 2556 1644 57 -1 5 1 2 3 9 1 414 2566 127 47 96.456642 purity,5 1 2 3 9 2 557 2565 124 46 96.179558 safety,5 1 2 3 9 3 696 2564 180 43 96.386734 nutrition,5 1 2 3 9 4 894 2563 72 37 96.386734 ands 1 2 3 9 5 981 2563 46 36 96.973358 of5 1 2 3 9 6 1036 2575 142 31 96.976372 course,5 1 2 3 9 7 1194 2568 100 30 96.676674 taste.5 1 2 3 9 8 1310 2561 87 36 97.020088 Ands 1 2 3 9 9 1412 2559 138 38 96.589722 Gerber5 1 2 3 9 10 1565 2559 118 36 96.761169 offers5 1 2 3 9 11 1698 2569 105 25 96.550957 more5 1 2 3 9 12 1818 2557 140 46 96.924385 variety5 1 2 3 9 13 1972 2556 86 35 96.994621 than4 1 2 3 10 0 415 2613 1644 56 -1 5 1 2 3 10 1 415 2635 71 34 96.897598 any5 1 2 3 10 2 513 2623 104 36 96.298141 others 1 2 3 10 3 640 2622 119 35 93.278404 brands 1 2 3 10 4 782 2643 31 5 92.156036 --5 1 2 3 10 5 837 2632 104 25 96.514206 more5 1 2 3 10 6 966 2621 86 35 96.398239 than5 1 2 3 10 7 1082 2621 67 35 95.730064 1805 1 2 3 10 8 1174 2620 119 36 95.730064 kinds!5 1 2 3 10 9 1322 2620 41 34 96.503006 In5 1 2 3 10 10 1387 2631 20 23 96.751808 a5 1 2 3 10 11 1431 2619 73 35 96.936707 few5 1 2 3 10 12 1528 2617 46 36 96.920326 of5 1 2 3 10 13 1593 2616 107 36 96.485764 those5 1 2 3 10 14 1725 2615 112 36 96.558983 foods5 1 2 3 10 15 1862 2626 57 24 96.224586 we5 1 2 3 10 16 1943 2613 73 37 96.224586 adds 1 2 3 10 17 2038 2624 21 24 96.257896 a4 1 2 3 11 0 415 2670 1644 54 -1 5 1 2 3 11 1 415 2679 197 38 96.986961 controlled5 1 2 3 11 2 625 2685 148 31 96.693909 amounts 1 2 3 11 3 785 2679 45 35 96.946114 of5 1 2 3 11 4 838 2689 116 35 96.570816 sugar,5 1 2 3 11 5 969 2689 40 25 96.946915 or5 1 2 3 11 6 1021 2677 151 47 96.884338 tapioca.5 1 2 3 11 7 1186 2679 163 34 96.654053 Because5 1 2 3 11 8 1361 2674 163 38 96.626732 research5 1 2 3 11 9 1536 2674 66 37 96.996109 has5 1 2 3 11 10 1614 2685 141 35 96.965675 proven5 1 2 3 11 11 1768 2673 26 35 96.833321 it5 1 2 3 11 12 1807 2671 181 37 96.829414 enhances5 1 2 3 11 13 2000 2670 59 36 97.013206 thea 1 2 3 12 0 416 2727 1644 55 -1 5 1 2 3 12 1 416 2744 97 37 95.699127 taste,5 1 2 3 12 2 528 2737 149 36 96.606369 without5 1 2 3 12 3 689 2736 286 46 96.592567 compromising5 1 2 3 12 4 989 2736 59 35 96.858864 thes 1 2 3 12 5 1062 2734 201 37 96.615303 nutritional5 1 2 3 12 6 1278 2733 252 47 96.395027 composition.5 1 2 3 12 7 1544 2733 62 35 97.017128 No5 1 2 3 12 8 1621 2731 102 35 96.792007 others 1 2 3 12 9 1735 2730 98 45 96.999649 baby5 1 2 3 12 10 1848 2728 90 37 96.520706 foods 1 2 3 12 11 1952 2728 37 35 96.520706 in5 1 2 3 12 12 2001 2727 59 36 96.950539 thea 1 2 3 13 0 416 2785 1645 53 -1 5 1 2 3 13 1 416 2794 119 37 96.520470 world5 1 2 3 13 2 553 2794 89 36 96.520470 does5 1 2 3 13 3 660 2794 48 36 95.691422 all5 1 2 3 13 4 727 2794 85 35 96.914352 that.5 1 2 3 13 5 831 2793 96 36 96.989326 Gives 1 2 3 13 6 946 2793 142 35 96.543198 Gerber5 1 2 3 13 7 1104 2804 20 24 96.543198 a5 1 2 3 13 8 1140 2798 55 40 96.851913 try5 1 2 3 13 9 1212 2792 71 36 96.936913 ands 1 2 3 13 10 1301 2791 79 36 96.636200 finds 1 2 3 13 11 1398 2797 64 30 96.348351 outs 1 2 3 13 12 1478 2790 85 45 96.477867 why5 1 2 3 13 13 1581 2788 55 35 96.932091 it's5 1 2 3 13 14 1653 2788 61 35 96.983498 thes 1 2 3 13 15 1731 2787 101 45 96.810806 baby5 1 2 3 13 16 1849 2785 92 37 96.820923 foods 1 2 3 13 17 1958 2796 103 25 96.932312 more4 1 2 3 14 0 416 2844 1648 56 -1 5 1 2 3 14 1 416 2852 258 48 96.853714 pediatricians5 1 2 3 14 2 697 2850 249 37 95.011658 recommend.5 1 2 3 14 3 970 2851 55 34 96.681938 To5 1 2 3 14 4 1048 2848 112 47 96.444458 begins 1 2 3 14 5 1181 2861 91 35 96.990982 yours 1 2 3 14 6 1293 2848 81 44 96.819229 call,5 1 2 3 14 7 1397 2859 65 25 96.660637 uses 1 2 3 14 8 1484 2858 93 35 96.660637 yours 1 2 3 14 9 1598 2845 74 46 96.788551 keys 1 2 3 14 10 1693 2844 73 47 96.820587 pads 1 2 3 14 11 1787 2849 39 31 96.074226 to5 1 2 3 14 12 1848 2848 102 31 96.963829 enters 1 2 3 14 13 1970 2853 94 36 96.805573 your4 1 2 3 15 0 416 2904 1220 53 -1 5 1 2 3 15 1 416 2910 169 47 96.487839 personal5 1 2 3 15 2 600 2908 269 37 96.542206 identification5 1 2 3 15 3 882 2907 158 37 96.371872 numbers 1 2 3 15 4 1055 2907 117 36 96.636711 found5 1 2 3 15 5 1186 2919 49 23 96.883553 on5 1 2 3 15 6 1249 2918 92 35 96.855965 yours 1 2 3 15 7 1356 2911 95 31 96.382126 stores 1 2 3 15 8 1466 2904 170 46 95.106476 receipt. [Exhibit C, script of recorded message] D. 45 1 2 4 1 3 624 3032 82 29 95.664642 OUTS 1 2 4 1 4 718 3031 50 29 95.664642 OF5 1 2 4 1 5 783 3024 19 35 92.475037 55 1 2 4 1 6 818 3022 328 37 90.414513 PEDIATRICIANS*5 1 2 4 1 7 1164 3028 260 31 96.338577 RECOMMENDS 1 2 4 1 8 1435 3027 164 30 96.801041 GERBER4 1 2 4 2 0 419 3073 1645 48 -1 5 1 2 4 2 1 419 3084 48 36 21.466339 *«5 1 2 4 2 2 484 3084 92 37 96.380936 19945 1 2 4 2 3 588 3088 329 31 96.140900 CONTEMPORARY5 1 2 4 2 4 929 3087 227 29 96.415062 PEDIATRICS5 1 2 4 2 5 1171 3085 377 31 96.379723 RECOMMENDATIONS 1 2 4 2 6 1560 3084 133 29 96.379723 STUDY5 1 2 4 2 7 1705 3082 138 30 96.519371 FOUND5 1 2 4 2 8 1854 3081 108 29 96.894966 THAT5 1 2 4 2 9 1975 3073 89 37 95.520882 88%4 1 2 4 3 0 417 3128 1479 54 -1 5 1 2 4 3 1 417 3149 49 29 96.846809 OF5 1 2 4 3 2 479 3146 302 32 95.334328 PEDIATRICIANS5 1 2 4 3 3 796 3146 93 29 95.334328 WHO5 1 2 4 3 4 904 3145 264 29 96.580383 RECOMMENDS 1 2 4 3 5 1181 3145 109 28 96.616165 BABY5 1 2 4 3 6 1302 3144 110 29 95.529953 FOODS 1 2 4 3 7 1425 3141 264 31 95.911087 RECOMMENDS 1 2 4 3 8 1701 3128 195 54 94.365143 GERBER. [Exhibit D, display case sticker] <M GERBER PRODUCTS COMPANY 1367 1365 Complaint 5. Through the means described in paragraph four, respondent has represented, expressly or by implication, that competent and reliable studies or surveys show that four out of five pediatricians who recommend baby food recommend Gerber.

6. In truth and in fact, competent and reliable studies or surveys do not show that four out of five pediatricians who recommend baby food recommend Gerber. In the survey relied upon by respondent, 562 of the surveyed doctors responded to the questions concerning baby food. Of these 562 pediatricians, 408 responded that they recommend baby food to their patients at least once per week. Of the 408 pediatricians who recommend baby food to their patients at least once per week, 332, or approximately 82%, responded that they did not recommend any specific brands of baby food. Of the 76 pediatricians who did recommend specific brands, 67 recommended Gerber. Thus, only 67 of the 408 pediatricians who recommend baby food, or approximately 16%, recommend Gerber to their patients. Therefore, the representation set forth in paragraph five was, and is, false or misleading. , 7. Through the means described in paragraph four, respondent has represented, expressly or by implication, that approximately four out of five pediatricians recommend Gerber.

8. Through the means described in paragraph four, respondent has represented, expressly or by implication, that it possessed and relied upon a reasonable basis that substantiated the representations set forth in paragraphs five and seven, at the time the representations were made.

9. In truth and in fact, respondent did not possess and rely upon a reasonable basis that substantiated the representations set forth in paragraphs five and seven, at the time the representations were made. In the survey relied upon by respondent, 67, or approximately 12%, of the 562 pediatricians surveyed recommended Gerber. Therefore, the representations set forth in paragraphs five and eight were, and are, false or misleading.

10. The acts and practices of respondent as alleged in this complaint constitute unfair or deceptive acts or practices, and the making of false advertisements, in or affecting commerce in violation of Sections 5(a) and 12 of the Federal Trade Commission Act. Complaint 123 F.T.C, EXHIBIT A PRODUCT: GERBER PRODUCTS/BABY FOOD 95-15562 Mi TE: “FOR LEARNING TO EAT SMART’ PROGRAM: NEWS 10/12/95 :30 STATION: —WABC (NEW YORK) 12:16PM baby like yours, and how to make sure baby likes it To learn more, why four out of five than Gerber.

Pediatricians “K, > Gerber ‘ Gerber i - 1 Lays ees +4 ERBER +'sEPSER = , fess yw, cailus anvtime day or night ALSO AVAILABLE IN COLOR VIDIO-TAPH CASSETTE At d202 7 tesa antares ta use Shy wtorery 9° Ralerial wowed ty ~ ‘nme! re “essonvale £24 antcags Fant air WOMAN ANNCA: There’s only one who recommend baby food recommend Gerber, ‘ ie ry ;

7h F ¥ You know you can trust Gerber. for learning to eat smant, right from tne start. (MUSIC OUT) Fehibit A-1 GERBER PRODUCTS COMPANY Complaint EXHIBIT A Gerber Products Company Exhibit A-2 (Videocassette) Complaint 123 F.T-C EXHIBIT B Vrntacmeqtn: Gere:

Cuatra. de cada sizes”

30ss * Radio COPY -s=x: Bebe Ucrando -Mujer; “Way mai aicanzams ei baby Zoce de 1a cocing que el bebe dene Ly acre”

SFX -Mesf “Clara que no, Gerber es ei a5 “STR! Daves recemeadado por ped:amas.”

-32t: musica - Lecuion “Eda sabe que no hay liga mis numuvo v zonmadie para bebds, De Aechn + de vada 5 nediaras que recomiendau aiim=ntos para bedds recumuendan Gerver.”

, La salud Je mi 2ebeé 2 Tshe BKlK.u.

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GERBER PRODUCTS COMPANY 1371 1365 Complaint EXHIBIT C Beech-Nut baby food in recentiv, Rave urchased a jer c= . Leuis area, a= -easz} coupon" as they checked out at tne : minutes of free iong cistance 6} 5¢7-8act. on calling the Shoppers whc :

Supermerkets {in deen given a Cata-4 1 7 1 4 0 739 597 164 29 -1 5 1 7 1 4 1 739 597 164 29 84.796272 register.4 1 7 1 5 0 736 628 282 31 -1 5 1 7 1 5 1 736 631 171 28 36.366806 teiephone5 1 7 1 5 2 930 628 88 27 44.225979 *ime,4 1 7 1 6 0 735 662 324 26 -1 5 1 7 1 6 1 735 663 126 25 50.804230 mumber,5 1 7 1 6 2 889 667 55 17 96.833862 ones 1 7 1 6 3 966 662 93 21 96.118805 hears2 1 8 0 0 0 1155 756 132 23 -1 3 1 8 1 0 0 1155 756 132 23 -1 4 1 8 1 1 0 1155 756 132 23 -1 5 1 8 1 1 1 1155 759 33 15 74.746880 on5 1 8 1 1 2 1213 756 74 23 92.303024 your2 1 9 0 0 0 714 755 1190 370 -1 3 1 9 1 0 0 714 755 1190 370 -1 4 1 9 1 1 0 829 755 301 28 -1 5 1 9 1 1 1 829 755 301 28 82.292068 Congratulations compliments of Gerber.

Gerber fees <nere are a few <things you should know. Fer one, nobody mexes 2 safer baby f90c than Gerber. Plus, four occ of five pediatricians who >ecommend ha>y S recommenc Gerber. And mobody ese knows nore about pur: safety, nutrition, and of ccurse. Sastre. And Gerber offers more variety ‘than any other brand, thar one hundred and eighty kinds.

In 2 few of these foods we adc 2 contzro.-ed amount of sugen it enhances the taste —ve more or tapioca, because research has proven it ¢ without comprorising the nutritional conposition. No other baby food in the world does ail that. Give Gerber 2 =rvy and find out why it’s the baby food more pediatricians recomenc.

please use your touch tone phone to enter> To begin your ca_ : ne your pin number found on your red and white phone certificate. ,a beep is heard)"

THIS IS A LIVE PHORE CARD! FREE_ ._.

5 MINUTES OF LONG DISTANCE PHONE CALLS GOOD IN THE US. PUERTO RICO & THE US VIRGIN ISLES DIAL: 600-507-8507 PIN NUMBER: 4708236916 CHECKOUT COUPON HR © CHECKOUT COUPON TE S After sane, di ro seumter you wis? shee. t Complaint EXHIBIT D COMMENDATION STUDY FOUND THAT D BABY FOOD RECOMMEND GERBER.

N PEDIATRICS RE _= GERBER PRODUCTS COMPANY 1373 1365 Decision and Order DECISION AND ORDER The.Federal Trade Commission having initiated an investigation of certain acts and practices of the respondent named in the caption hereof, and the respondent having been furnished thereafter with a copy of a draft of complaint which the Bureau of Consumer Protection proposed to present to the Commission for its consideration and which, if issued by the Commission, would charge respondent with violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act; and The respondent, its attorney, and counsel for Federal Trade Commission having thereafter executed an agreement containing a consent order, an admission by the respondent of all the jurisdictional facts set forth in the aforesaid draft of complaint, a statement that the signing of said agreement is for settlement purposes only and does not constitute an admission by respondent that the law has been violated as alleged in such complaint, or that the facts as alleged in such complaint, other than jurisdictional facts, are true and waivers and other provisions as required by the Commission's Rules; and The Commission having thereafter considered the matter and having determined that it had reason to believe that the respondent has violated the said Act, and that complaint should issue stating its charges in that respect, and having thereupon accepted the executed consent agreement and placed such agreement on the public record for a period of sixty (60) days, now in further conformity with the procedure prescribed in Section 2.34 of its Rules, the Commission hereby issues its complaint, makes the following jurisdictional findings and enters the following order:

1. Respondent Gerber Products Company is a Michigan corporation with its principal office or place of business at 445 State Street, Fremont, Michigan.

2. The Federal Trade Commission has jurisdiction of the subject matter of this proceeding and of the respondents, and the proceeding is in the public interest.

ORDER DEFINITIONS For purposes of this order, the following definitions shall apply: 1. Competent5 1 8 1 1 3 987 3062 95 44 96.962822 ands 1 8 1 1 4 1095 3062 188 43 95.852394 reliable5 1 8 1 1 5 1298 3061 220 55 96.581161 scientific5 1 8 1 1 6 1535 3060 238 43 96.251320 evidence shall mean tests, analyses, research, studies, or other evidence based on the expertise Decision and Order 123 F.T.C.

of professionals in the relevant area, that has been conducted and evaluated in an objective manner by persons qualified to do so, using procedures generally accepted in the profession to yield accurate and reliable results.

2. Unless otherwise specified, respondent shall mean Gerber Products Company, a corporation, its successors and assigns, and its officers, agents, representatives and employees. 3. In5 1 3 3 1 3 788 882 55 29 96.898827 or5 1 3 3 1 4 857 867 210 57 96.222923 affecting5 1 3 3 1 5 1080 879 242 32 96.455261 commerce shall mean as defined in Section 4 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. 44. 4. Baby5 1 3 4 1 3 915 1021 54 29 95.906662 or5 1 3 4 1 4 1007 1006 175 44 96.802246 toddler5 1 3 4 1 5 1208 1005 145 57 92.466164 food shall mean any food or juice manufactured, labeled, advertised, promoted, offered for sale, sold, or distributed by respondent for consumption by infants and children up to 4 years of age.

I.

It is ordered, That respondent, directly or through any corporation, subsidiary, division or other device, in connection with the manufacturing, labeling, advertising, promotion, offering for sale, sale, or distribution of baby or toddler food shall not make any representation, in any manner, expressly or by implication, about: A. The extent to which doctors or other health, nutrition, child care, or medical professionals recommend such product; or B. The recommendation, approval, or endorsement of such product by any health, nutrition, child care, or medical professional, profession, group, or other such entity, unless, at the time it is made, respondent possesses and relies upon competent and reliable evidence, which when appropriate must be competent and reliable scientific evidence, that substantiates the representation.

Il.

It is further ordered, That respondent, directly or through any corporation, subsidiary, division or other device, in connection with the manufacturing, labeling, advertising, promotion, offering for sale, sale, or distribution of any baby or toddler food, in or affecting commerce, shall not misrepresent, in any manner, expressly or by implication, the existence, contents, validity, results, conclusions or interpretations of any survey, test, study, or research. GERBER PRODUCTS COMPANY 1375 1365 Decision and Order Il.

_ Nothing in this order shall prohibit respondent from making any representation that is specifically permitted in labeling for any baby or toddler food by regulations promulgated by the Food and Drug Administration pursuant to the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990, or by nutrition labeling regulations promulgated by the Department of Agriculture pursuant to the Federal Meat Inspection Act or the Poultry Products Inspection Act. IV.

It is further ordered, That respondent, and its successors and assigns, shall for three (3) years after the last date of dissemination of any representation covered by this order, maintain and upon request make available to the Federal Trade Commission for inspection and copying:

A. All advertisements and promotional materials containing the representation;

B. All materials that were relied upon in disseminating the representation; and C. All tests, reports, studies, surveys, demonstrations, or other evidence in its possession or control that contradict, qualify, or call into question the representation, or the basis relied upon for the representation, including written consumer complaints or any communications with governmental or consumer protection organizations.

V.

It is further ordered, That respondent, and its successors and assigns, shall:

A. Within thirty (30) days after the date of service of this order, deliver a copy of this order to all current principals, officers, directors, and sales, advertising, and marketing managers, and to all current employees, agents, and representatives having responsibilities with respect to the subject matter of this order; and B. For a period of five (5) years after the date of service of this order, deliver a copy of this order to all future principals, officers, directors, and sales, advertising, and marketing managers, and to all Decision and Order 123 F.T.C.

employees, agents, and representatives having responsibilities with respect to the subject matter of this order, within thirty (30) days after the person assumes such position or responsibilities. VI.

It is further ordered, That respondent, and its successors and assigns, shall notify the Commission at least thirty (30) days prior to any change in the corporation(s) that may affect compliance obligations arising under this order, including but not limited to a dissolution, assignment, sale, merger, or other action that would result in the emergence of a successor corporation; the creation or dissolution of a subsidiary, parent, or affiliate that engages in any acts or practices subject to this order; the proposed filing of a bankruptcy petition; or a change in the corporate name or address. Provided, however, that, with respect to any proposed change in the corporation about which respondent learns less than thirty (30) days prior to the date such action is to take place, respondent shall notify the Commission as soon as is practicable after obtaining such knowledge. All notices required by this Part shall be sent by certified mail to the Associate Director, Division of Enforcement, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, D.C. Vil.

It is further ordered, That respondent, and its successors and assigns, shall, within sixty (60) days after the date of service of this order, and at such other times as the Federal Trade Commission may require, file with the Commission a report, in writing, setting forth in detail the manner and form in which it has complied with this order. VII.

This order will terminate on May 27, 2017, or twenty (20) years from the most recent date that the United States or the Federal Trade Commission files a complaint (with or without an accompanying consent decree) in federal court alleging any violation of the order, whichever comes later; provided, however, that the filing of such a complaint will not affect the duration of: A. Any Part in this order that terminates in less than twenty (20) years;

a GERBER PRODUCTS COMPANY 1377 1365 Decision and Order B. This order's application to any respondent that is not named as a defendant in such complaint; and C. This order if such complaint is filed after the order has terminated pursuant to this Part.

Provided, further, that if such complaint is dismissed or a federal court rules that the respondent did not violate any provision of the order, and the dismissal or ruling is either not appealed or upheld on appeal, then the order will terminate according to this Part as though the complaint had never been filed, except that the order will not terminate between the date such complaint is filed and the later of the deadline for appealing such dismissal or ruling and the date such dismissal or ruling is upheld on appeal.

Complaint 123 F.T.C.