The Alameda County District Attorney's Office has cracked down on Purity Nutra, a vitamin supplement manufacturer, for allegedly false advertising, especially targeting elderly consumers. In a settlement joined by District Attorney Pamela Price's Consumer Justice Bureau, the company is hit with a $20,000 judgment. "The evidence gathered suggested that Purity Nutra was making false and deceptive claims about its products to consumers that targeted seniors," Price stated, emphasizing the need to protect consumers and enforce the law.

This legal move comes after an investigation by the California Food, Drug & Medical Devices (FDMD) Task Force, which includes D.A. offices across the state, zeroed in to closely examine the advertising of Purity Nutra's products, such as Flex Joint Plus and Bladder Max supplements. These promotions fell under scrutiny for potentially violating the Sherman Food & Drug Act and the California Business & Professions Code by falsely claiming to cure or effectively impact various diseases and medical conditions. This violation occurs even if such claims are made indirectly through purported customer testimonials. The FDMD Task Force aims to fill the regulatory void left by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration's lack of oversight in the vitamin supplement market.

While Purity Nutra will not be forced to halt sales, the settlement demands an injunction, obligating the company to amend its advertising to prevent future deceit. Ensuring compliance with consumer protection laws is also a required part of the agreement. The FDMD Task Force's engagement serves as a guardian in an industry often sparingly patrolled by federal agencies, thereby holding manufacturers to account on behalf of the consumer's right to transparent information.

Through the imposed injunction, Purity Nutra is expected to carefully avoid to misleadingly use language in future advertisments. Alameda County and the broader community in California stand to benefit from such vigilant oversight by the FDMD Task Force, which actively prosecutes similar cases against businesses that breach consumer trust through deceptive marketing practices.

For further details on the settlement, the Alameda County District Attorney's Office provides information on their website, which can be accessed here.