The Federal Trade Commission has accepted an agreement, subject to final approval, to a proposed consent order from J & R Research, Inc., and its principal, Gerald G. McCarthy ("respondents"). Respondents were general partners in a distributorship of Kaire International, Inc., a multi-level marketing company. Respondents also created and marketed to Kaire distributors audio tapes and other promotional materials touting a Kaire product containing pycnogenol, a substance derived from the bark of the maritime pine tree.

The proposed consent order has been placed on the public record for sixty (60) days for the reception of comments by interested persons. Comments received during this period will become part of the public record. After sixty (60) days, the Commission will again review the agreement and any comments received and will decide whether it should withdraw from the agreement and take other appropriate action or make final the agreement's proposed order.

Respondents' advertisements claimed that pycnogenol could mitigate or cure the effects of numerous diseases or disorders. The proposed complaint alleges that respondents could not substantiate claims that pycnogenol: (1) alleviates rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and rheumatism; (2) reduces the amount of insulin needed to treat diabetes; (3) treats and/or improves health disorders associated with diabetes, including neuropathy, retinopathy, osteomyelitis, circulatory problems and heart problems; (4) helps treat lupus, Parkinson's Disease, multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia; (5) treats or improves digestive disorders, including Crohnes Disease and irritable bowel syndrome; (6) helps prevent strokes and the reoccurrence of strokes; (7) dramatically improve physical disabilities caused by stroke; (8) dramatically helps prevent heart disease, including arterial sclerosis; (9) reduces blood pressure; (10) dramatically improves and helps prevent circulatory problems, including phlebitis, thrombophlebitis, blood clots, and varicose veins; (11) dramatically promotes the shrinkage of tumors and helps prevent tumor formation; (12) treats cancer and/or prolongs the life of cancer victims; (13) reduces or eliminates inflammation of the prostate; (14) eliminates or reduces the incidence of asthma attacks and symptoms caused by allergies; (15) improves eyesight and treats disorders of the retina; (16) helps rebuild joints and soft tissue; (17) greatly accelerates the healing time of injuries; (18) improves or cures skin conditions such as psoriasis and acne; (19) treats Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder; (20) reduces or eliminates the need for medication in individuals with Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder; and (21) is twenty times more protective as an antioxidant than Vitamin C, and fifty times more protective than Vitamin E.

The complaint further alleges that respondents falsely claimed that scientific research demonstrates that pycnogenol products can alleviate or cure many of these diseases or disorders. Finally, the complaint alleges that respondents could not substantiate its claim that testimonials from consumers appearing in the advertisements for pycnogenol products reflect the typical or ordinary experience of members of the public who use pycnogenol products.

Part I of the proposed consent order would require respondents, when advertising pycnogenol or any other food, drug, or dietary supplement, to possess competent and reliable scientific evidence before making any of the claims that were alleged as unsubstantiated in the complaint. Part II of the proposed order would require respondents to possess competent and reliable scientific evidence before making any claim regarding the benefits, performance, or efficacy of any food, drug, or dietary supplement. Part III of the proposed order would prevent respondents from misrepresent the existence, contents, validity, results, conclusions, or interpretations of any test, study, or research in an advertisement for any product.

Part IV of the proposed order addresses claims made through endorsements or testimonials. Under Part IV, respondents may make such representations if they possess and rely upon competent and reliable evidence that substantiates the representations; or the respondents must disclose either what the generally expected results would be for users of the advertised products, or the limited applicability of the endorser's experience to what consumers may generally expect to achieve. The proposed order's treatment of testimonial claims is in accordance with the Commission's "Guides Concerning Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising," 16 C.F.R. 255.2 (a).

Part V of the proposed order contains language permitting respondents to make drug claims that have been approved by the FDA pursuant to either a new drug application or a tentative final or final standard. Part VI states that respondents would be permitted to make claims that the FDA has approved pursuant to the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990.

Part VII of the proposed order requires respondents to retain, and make available to the Commission upon request, all advertisements and promotional materials containing any representation covered by the order, as well as any materials that it relied upon in disseminating the representation and any materials that contradict, qualify, or call into question the representation.

The remainder of the proposed order contains standard requirements that respondents distribute the order to relevant personnel, that the corporate respondent notify the Commission of any changes in corporate structure that might affect compliance with the order; that the individual respondent notify the Commission of changes in his employments status, and that respondents file one or more reports detailing their compliance with the order.