Shopping Network Must Verify Claims

Home Shopping Network Inc., which reaches 69 million U.S. households, has agreed to obtain scientific evidence before airing claims that any food, supplement or drug can treat a disease or affect a function of the body.

A Federal Trade Commission lawsuit charging deceptive advertising has been pending for 15 months against HSN and its subsidiaries, Home Shopping Club Inc. and HSN Lifeway Health Products.

When the suit was filed, the network said the FTC action was unwarranted and unreasonable, and it refused the FTC settlement.

The challenged claims were about the benefits and effectiveness of three vitamin sprays and an aerosol to help smokers quit. The FTC said the ads claimed, without proof, that the sprays were more fully absorbed by the body than vitamin tablets are.