Opinion ID: 369355
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Omissions of Material Facts.

Text: 49 1. The typical and ordinary experiences of consumers do not parallel the experiences reported in testimonials appearing in the advertisements. 50 We have already approved the Commission's findings concerning the extravagant weight loss claims, which were conveyed in substantial part through the use of testimonials. See Part IV,A,2, Supra. The Commission further found, based on ample evidence, that weight losses of the magnitude claimed, far from being typical, as the advertisements implied, are extremely rare in any diet regimen. Its holding that the failure to disclose that such losses are rare rendered the advertisements false and misleading is sustained. 51 2. Persons with high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or thyroid disease should only use X-11 tablets as directed by a physician. 52 The ALJ found that the failure to include a health warning in the X-11 advertisements constituted an omission of material fact, and the Commission affirmed, with two commissioners dissenting. We approve the findings of the majority of the FTC. 53 Petitioners, except Pay'n Save, admit that PPA should not be ingested by persons with high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or thyroid disease except under the supervision of a physician. 9 A warning to this effect is printed on the back of the X-11 package in compliance with FDA Regulations, 21 C.F.R. § 369.1, Et seq. 54 The erroneous impression that X-11 is safe for use by all potential consumers is created by the statement, No dangerous drugs, the effect of which is aggravated by the statement, Laboratory science has perfected a tiny pre-meal tablet . . . . Petitioners sold large quantities of X-11 tablets to mail order purchasers, who would not have an opportunity to read the health warning on the package until they had already paid out their money and some of whom, having paid, would be likely to take the risk inherent in using the tablets. 55 The record shows that many people suffer from the diseases PPA tends to aggravate and that many of those people are overweight. An estimated 28,410,000 persons in the United States suffered from a heart ailment or high blood pressure in 1972. Of these, 22,950,000, one out of every six adults, had high blood pressure. One out of every 20 suffered from diabetes in 1975. Furthermore, high blood pressure and heart disease occur more frequently among the overweight, and the likelihood of being diabetic more than doubles with every 20 per cent of excess weight. Thus the product and the advertising are designed for persons most likely to suffer from the serious side effects. 56 The finding that the failure to disclose health risks rendered the ads false and misleading is sustained. 10 57 3. A highly restricted caloric diet is a part of the X-11 plan. 58 The findings we affirmed in Part IV,A,1, Supra, also support the Commission's finding that this omission caused the advertisements to be false and misleading.