Advertising council makes recommendations on Constellation Wines’ dietary claims

NEW YORK The National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus on Tuesday determined that Constellation Wines U.S./PolyPhenolics provided reasonable support for certain performance claims made for the company’s dietary supplement MegaNatural-BP, but recommended the company discontinue certain claims to avoid consumer confusion.

NAD was concerned that that the claim “Provide relief with half the cost, half the dose,” did not clearly identify the object of the comparison and suggested that consumers with high blood pressure could replace prescribed medication with a supplement.

NAD recommended that the advertiser discontinue the claim, “Provide relief with half the cost, half the dose and half the time” but noted that the advertiser can continue to discuss the differences between MegaNatural-BP and the competing Antigen Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors which take 4-6 weeks of regular supplementation to work.

NAD recommended that to avoid the potential for any consumer confusion, and consistent with the findings of the studies on which it relies, the advertiser clearly and conspicuously disclose that MegaNatural-BP could be used as a part of a lifestyle management program for people with prehypertension and metabolic syndrome, and clearly state that consumers should “Consult your doctor before taking MegaNatural-BP.” 

The company, in its advertiser’s statement, said it “understands NAD's decision as written and appreciates your thorough and well-explained rationale.  Polyphenolics agrees to modify its advertising as recommended.”