WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government says Bayer is making unsupported claims in ads for its dietary supplement designed to help with digestion, in violation of a federal court order.
The Department of Justice filed a court motion today against the German conglomerate over its advertising for Phillips’ Colon Health, which claims to prevent diarrhea, constipation, gas and bloating. Federal officials say the company does not have reliable scientific evidence to support those claims.
Bayer says it “is extremely disappointed and strongly disagrees” with the government action, and the company pledges to defend itself “vigorously.”
Bayer is subject to a 2007 court order that prohibits it from making unsubstantiated claims about its vitamins and dietary supplements. That order stemmed from a federal complaint about the company’s marketing for its One-A-Day Weightsmart vitamins.
Bayer paid $3.2 million to settle those allegations and pledged to stop making unsubstantiated claims for similar over-the-counter products.
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