TINA.org Action Sheds Light on SunPowerLED’s False Endorsement Claims

On its homepage, red light device maker SunPowerLED displays the logos of a number of federal health agencies and medical organizations that the company proclaims “are now endorsing the use of PBM (photobiomodulation) therapy,” also known as red light therapy.

And on its FAQ page, in response to the question “Does light therapy really work?” the company answers, “Yes! Light therapy has been used safely in thousands of clinics and is now endorsed by CDC, FDA, and the US Veteran’s Administration!”

The statements and logos imply that SunPowerLED’s red light therapy products have the backing of several authoritative entities.

Not only is that not true, a TINA.org investigation found, each of these agencies and organizations have strict policies regarding the use of their logos that are specifically designed to avoid sending the message that they favor or endorse commercial products.

On Monday, TINA.org notified the five entities – the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) and the American Dental Association (ADA) – to SunPowerLED’s unauthorized use of their logos, as well as the false and misleading statements regarding their purported endorsements.

The letters, which urge each agency and organization to investigate and take appropriate action, come after TINA.org warned SunPowerLED nearly two weeks ago about its misleading use of the logos and false endorsement claims. Within a day of TINA.org alerting the entities, the FDA’s logo was removed from the SunPowerLED homepage.

SunPowerLED did not respond to a request for comment.

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The FDA does not endorse products, stating that is something it “does not and cannot do.” And while certain SunPowerLED devices may be registered with the agency, FDA registration does not constitute agency approval or endorsement.

The CDC similarly prohibits the use of its logo without express written permission and says it “should never be used to promote or suggest endorsement” of non-CDC companies, products or services. Likewise, federal regulations strictly limit the use of the VA seal to official VA purposes.

As for JAMA, the American Medical Association does not endorse or recommend any commercial products. And the ADA logo is a registered trademark of the American Dental Association and may not be used for marketing purposes without authorization.

Over the years, TINA.org has found numerous companies, including other red light device makers, deceptively using the FDA logo in their marketing materials in violation of the agency’s logo policy. In the vast majority of the cases, the companies removed the logo in direct response to our inquiry or after we elevated the issue to the FDA.

Find more of our coverage on misleading endorsements.