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 A Letter to the FTC by Actor Alicia Silverstone October 2000 Ann Maher, Esq. Dear Ms. Maher: I am writing to ask you to investigate false and misleading claims in the Milk Mustache advertisements, which rely on celebrity endorsements to encourage Americans to drink cow's milk. I recently stopped consuming dairy products, in part because of all the information I learned about the harmful effects cow's milk has on human health. Since eliminating dairy from my diet, I am constantly asked where I get my calcium. Clearly, people believe the message in the milk mustache ads that humans must drink cow's milk to get sufficient calcium. This is not true. There are many foods which provide sufficient calcium to people of all ages, ethnic groups, and genders, including green leafy vegetables, calcium-fortified soymilks and juices, figs, and many types of beans. Moreover, dairy products have not been shown to reduce the risk of osteoporosis, as evidenced by the fact that the United States has one of the highest rates of osteoporosis in the world as well as one of the highest dairy intakes. Concerning this issue, I find it particularly telling that the milk industry only makes the health claim that drinking cow's milk is necessary to prevent osteoporosis in its advertising, which is subject to the more lax FTC regulations, and not on any cow's milk cartons, which are subject to stricter FDA regulations. If industry believes the claim that milk protects bones was truthful and not in violation of FDA regulations, why haven't they also made this claim on their milk cartons? Additional incorrect and simplistic aspects of health claims made in the milk mustache ads include failing to list other osteoporosis related risk factors besides inadequate calcium intake, such as a lack of exercise, high protein intake (especially animal protein), too much salt in the diet and smoking; suggesting to Latino- and African Americans and men, who are not at particular risk of developing osteoporosis, that they need to drink milk to prevent osteoporosis; failing to acknowledge that a majority of the members of targeted ethnic groups are lactose intolerant and, therefore, should not be consuming cow's milk; and encouraging people to drink whole milk while failing to tell them that whole milk has dangerously high amounts of saturated fat that contribute to heart disease, hypertension, and cancer. Being in the entertainment business, I am fully aware that ads using celebrities as role models are very powerful. The milk mustache ads are everywhere, providing millions of people with what has become a primary source of nutrition information. The milk industry's continued miseducation of millions of people every day through its inappropriate advertisements is a very serious matter. Therefore, I respectfully ask that you investigate the health claims made in the milk mustache ads. Thank you very much for your consideration.
cc: Kenneth C. Clayton, Associate
Administrator Learn more about PCRM's complaint to the FTC. |
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