Although they are still refusing to admit it, Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop blog paid a settlement of $145,000 after be sued for making unscientific claims about some of its products.
Fox News is reporting on the settlement of a consumer protection case that was brought by 10 prosecutors from the California Food, Drug and Medical Device Task Force against Goop for hawking two women’s health products and another concoction the blog claimed can help fight depression.
“Goop advertised that the Jade and Rose Quartz eggs — egg-shaped stones designed to be inserted vaginally and left in for various lengths of time — could balance hormones, regulate menstrual cycles, prevent uterine prolapse, and increase bladder control,” the Santa Clara District Attorney’s Office said.
“Goop advertised that the Inner Judge Flower Essence Blend, a blend of essential oils meant be taken orally or added to bathwater, could help prevent depression.”
There is no credible scientific evidence to support any of these claims.
“The health and money of Santa Clara County residents should never be put at risk by misleading advertising,” District Attorney Jeff Rosen said. “We will vigilantly protect consumers against companies that promise health benefits without the support of good science…or any science.”
As a result, Goop agreed to pay $145,000 in civil penalties, but they’re still unwilling to admit that they were wrong and are still selling the products on their website.
Heather Wilson, a spokeswoman for Goop, told SFGate that the settlement has to do with advertising claims, not the products themselves, and that the company has not had received any complaints. (Apparently, complaints, and fines, from the DA’s office don’t count.)
Instead, they issued a statement in which they said, “While Goop believes there is an honest disagreement about these claims, the company wanted to settle this matter quickly and amicably.”
Goop has agreed to give a full refund to anyone who purchased the products between January 12 and August 31, 2017.
Part of the settlement precludes Goop from: (1) making any claims regarding the efficacy or effects of any of its products without possessing competent and reliable scientific evidence that substantiates the claims; and (2) manufacturing or selling any misbranded, unapproved, or falsely advertised medical devices.
We can only hope that this irresponsible seller of dubious medical products will learn its lesson before someone suffers serious injury or even death from one of it’s products.
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