Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-18
MISLEADING LABELS
UNDER BAN Of LAW
--
Food and Drugs Act, as Amended,
Bars Insinuations and In
defniteness.
"Infallible," "Sure" and '"Certain"
"Remedies'' and Cures Must Be
or Use of Terms Is Illegal.

Claims of therapeutic effects, indi-
rect statements, indefinite terms and
testimonials that do not really mean
what they seem to say all come under
the ban of the food and drugs act. as
amended. says the Department of Ag-
riculture, in answer to many inquiries
as to proper labelling for medicinal
preparations.
"a preparation cannot be properly
designated" says the bureau of chem
istry, las specific, cure, remedy or
recommended as infallible, sure, GER
tain, reliable or invaluable, or bear
other promises of benefit unless the
product can as matter of fact be de-
pended upon to produce the results
claimed for it.
For instance, if the broad represent
alton that the product is a remedy for
certain diseases is made, as, for eX-
ample, by the use of the word remedy
in the name of the preparation, the
article should actually be a remedy
under all conditions, irrespective of
kind and cause.
Insinuations Also Barred.
Not only are direct statements and
representations of a misleading char
acter Objectionable. but any suggestion,
hint or insinuation, direct or Indirect
or design or device that may tend to
convey misleading impression should
be avoided. This applies, for example,
to such statements as mas been widely
recommended for followed by unWar-
ranted therapeutic claims.
Representations that are unwarranr-
ed on account of indetiniteness OF
general sweeping character should be
Iai statement
that preparation is for kinney
troubles conveys the impression that
the product is useful In the treatment
of kidney affections generally such
representation is misleading and de-
ceptive unless the medicine In queS-
ton is actually useful in all of these
affections.
For example. medicine should not
be recommended for rheumatism unless
it is capable of fulfilling the claims and
REPRESENTATIONS made for it in all kinds
of rheumatism. To represent mat
medicine is useful for rheumatism,
when as a matter of fact il is useia. IN
only one form of rheumatism. would be
misleading; such statements as Tor
some diseases of the kidney and liver,
"for many forms of rheumatism. are
ness.
Names like heart remedy kidney
pills. blood purifier nerve tonic bone
liniment.' lung balm and other terms in
yOlV1lR the names Oh pdTtS Oh tile DOuy
are Objectionable for similar reasons.
Testimonials Often Misleading.
"Testimonials. aside from the per-
sonal aspect given them by their letter
form, hold out general representation
to the public for which the party doing
the labelling is held to be responsible.
The fact that a testimonial is genuine
and honestly represents the opinion of
two = 1F1c g.,
use il 1T creates misleading impression
with regard to the results which the
medicine will produce.
Statements on the labels of drugs
guaranteeing them to cure certain dis
eases or money refunded may be so
worded as to be false and fraudulent
and to constitute misbranding NJ srep-
RESERVATIONS of this kind are not justi-
fled by the fact that the purchase price
of the article actually is refunded as
promised"