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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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9

EPA Sues North Face Over 'Anti-Bacteria' Boots

Company could be fined $1M for misleading claims

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(Newser) – North Face may be kicked with a fine of up to $1 million for claiming its shoes have the power to kill fungus and bacteria. The EPA filed a lawsuit against the outdoor clothing company's parent firm yesterday, alleging that the operation violated federal law by advertising that its specially treated footbeds prevent disease-causing germs.

"Unverified public health claims can lead people to believe they are protected from disease-causing organisms when, in fact, they may not be," said an EPA spokeswoman. Company officials said tags making the claims were removed from products lat year, AP reports.

The North Face wrongly claimed its footbeds prevent bacteria, according to an EPA lawsuit.
The North Face wrongly claimed its footbeds prevent bacteria, according to an EPA lawsuit.   (©twak)
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Unverified public health claims can lead people to believe they are protected from disease-causing organisms when, in fact, they may not be. - EPA associate director Katherine Taylor

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9 comments
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dontlikeyou
Sep 24, 09 6:59 AM CDT
This is not about the boots. This is about vitamins and supplements. The drug industry lobby has got the ear of the obama administration and want to put supplement companies out of business. It's coming to because the obama team dutifully dances to the beat of the pharma companies. Reply
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-11
IN RESPONSE:
Unaffiliated
Sep 24, 09 8:13 AM CDT
It ain't just Obama. The FDA (and by proxy, now, the EPA) is totally in the pocket of Big Pharma. Was under Bush. Was under Clinton.
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+5
Todd_English
Sep 24, 09 6:59 AM CDT
People just have to be smart and not believe everything they read/see. My Tevas also said they had "microban technology"....sure ok whatever you say Teva. Maybe it does work for the first wear but thats probably it. Reply
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+3
SilenceDogood
Sep 24, 09 7:00 AM CDT
I feel safer, our government at work. I’m sure someone will blame the on GWB or the Republicans. Reply
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-4
IN RESPONSE:
EileenRocks
Sep 24, 09 7:16 AM CDT
Pffffft. You should. Without the government to reign them in, we'd be subjected to lots of misleading and harmful products. This is the way it's supposed to be done (and wasn't for 8 years).
Vote up! Vote down!
+2

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