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EPHEDRA INDUSTRY SUPPORTS FTC EFFORT TO 'SCREEN OUT' FALSE AND MISLEADING CLAIMS IN HEALTH AND DIET ADS

STATEMENT FROM THE EPHEDRA EDUCATION COUNCIL

WASHINGTON (November 27, 2002 ) - On November 19, 2002, U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Timothy Muris announced the agency's effort to ‘screen out’ false and misleading claims in advertising for health and dietary products. In response to FTC's initiative, Wes Siegner, general counsel to the Ephedra Education Council (EEC), today issued the following statement:

"The Ephedra Education Council has consistently supported advertising standards to protect the public from false and misleading claims. On behalf of the responsible manufacturers and distributors of Ephedra dietary supplements, the EEC has publicly asked both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and FTC to take aggressive action against any illegal products and any companies that do not obey the law. We have repeatedly urged the agencies to immediately remove illegal products from the market.

"Chairman Muris and the FTC should be applauded for their continued enforcement of advertising standards. Existing laws provide both the FTC and FDA with substantial and sufficient authority to act swiftly and decisively in matters concerning deceptive and fraudulent advertising claims.

"To further protect the public, the Ephedra dietary supplement industry has adopted its own national standards. Our opposition to false and misleading product claims is clearly stated in these standards. We look forward to working with Chairman Muris and the FTC to help ensure that fraudulent companies no longer deceive or mislead American consumers looking for safe and effective methods of losing weight."

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The Ephedra Education Council (EEC) is supported primarily by members of the Ephedra Committee of the American Herbal Products Association, a recognized leader in promoting the safe and responsible marketing of dietary supplements. The Council provides factual information to the media and public about dietary supplements containing Ephedra. For more information, logon to www.EphedraFacts.com.

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