The consumer group Truth in Advertising (TINA.org) has filed a complaint asking the Federal Trade Commission to look at Made in USA claims on Walmart’s website, Law&Crime reported on January 28, 2021.
What the complaint says
- TINA.org says only about 2,000 products on Walmart’s website are listed as USA-made.
- More than 40 of them do not meet the FTC’s definition of Made in USA and do not disclose qualifying information, according to the group.
- TINA.org says Walmart’s site sometimes describes products as “made, grown, or assembled in America,” which the group says redefines the FTC standard.
- Walmart declined to comment, according to Law&Crime.
Background
In 2015, the FTC said Walmart had removed Made in USA logos from all of its online product listings to prevent consumer deception. Under the FTC standard, only products that are “all or virtually all” made in the USA can be marketed as made in the USA.
“What you need to tell consumers is, yes, it’s assembled here, but with imported parts and components.”
Bonnie Patten, executive director, TINA.org
The complaint came the same week President Biden signed an executive order on federal purchases of USA-made goods.
FAQ
Who filed the complaint?
Truth in Advertising (TINA.org), a nonprofit consumer group.
How many listings were flagged?
More than 40 products, according to TINA.org.
What did Walmart say?
Walmart declined to comment, according to Law&Crime.
Source & credit
Source: Law&Crime, January 28, 2021: “FTC Complaint Puts Walmart’s ‘Made in USA’ Labels Under the Microscope”.