FTC Demands Substantiation

The Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") filed charges against two marketing companies, and the individuals behind them, for false claims and deceptive advertising natural bed bug and head lice treatments. The marketers were unsuccessful in backing up their claims of prevention and elimination of infestations using oils such as cedar, clove, peppermint, cinnamon and lemongrass in addition to other natural ingredients. RMD Group, LLC and its principals and Cedarcide Industries, Inc. are charged in the midst of nervous public concern regarding bed bugs and lice that plague consumers with stressful, expensive attempts to eradicate these pests. According to the EPA, many consumers are unaware of the complex measures needed to treat, prevent and protect against re-infestation. The FTC has begun litigation against Cedarcide Industries, Inc., and others who have not settled the charges for their marketing of “Best Yet!,” a treatment line of cedar oil based liquid products for bed bugs and lice infestations that is available to consumers nationwide. The marketers falsely claim that their product, a solution developed at the request of the USDA for the US Military for killing sand fleas, in addition to further false claims that “Best Yet!” also kills and prevents bed bug infestations, head lice, eggs and larvae in a single treatment, and is more effective than synthetic pesticides. They also falsely claim that their product is the USDA’s number one choice of bio-based pesticides and that the EPA has warned consumers to avoid synthetic treatments. ”Best Yet!” is available to consumers ranging from $29.95 per quart to industrial kits for the hotels and motels for $3,394.95.