TINA.org’s Complaint Sparks Advertising Changes

The company that markets a supplement to children with speech delays at the center of deceptive marketing complaints has changed parts of its website in response to issues raised by truthinadvertising.org (TINA.org).

Illinois-based NourishLife, LLC, which sells SpeechNutrients speak™ (Speak), has made several changes since TINA.org contacted the company in March and filed complaints with federal and state regulators. These changes include:

• Removing the word “patented” and replacing it with “patent pending” in describing the Speak formula on certain parts of the company’s site.

• Posting a (See Fine Print). on its testimonials page informing consumers that “no representation has been made that the photos used are the actual photos of our families. In cases where a family requests to protect its privacy, a stock photo may be used.“

• Taking down a statement on the site that NourishLife is the recipient of the “BBB Complaint Free Award.”

However, the company has still not addressed several other concerns raised by TINA.org, including that there is no competent and reliable scientific evidence to support its speech-delay treatment claims, and that consumers are not made aware that the supplement contains extremely high levels of vitamin E that may be harmful to children’s health.

Last month, TINA.org sent complaint letters to the FTC, FDA, Illinois Attorney General, and BBB about NourishLife’s deceptive marketing claims.  TINA.org also sent letters to the doctor who invented the formula, as well as Children’s Hospital & Research Center Oakland (CHRCO), which granted NourishLife a license to sell the formula.

“We are glad NourishLife has taken some steps in the right direction and hope it will continue to correct marketing claims that are deceptive to consumers,’’ said Bonnie Patten, executive director of truthinadvertising.org.

Check back here to see  updates and other actions being taken as a result of TINA.org’s efforts. If you feel you were misled by NourishLife’s marketing claims about Speak and want to file a complaint click here.