7/23/2019 Marketers of Unproven Bed Bug and Head Lice Treatments Settle FTC Charges | Federal Trade Commission

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Marketers of Unproven Bed Bug and Head Lice Treatments Settle FTC Charges

Defendants Must Have Appropriate Scientific Support for Pesticide and Drug Claims

For Release

July 16, 2013

Two marketers of unproven cedar oil-based remedies for bed bugs and head lice have agreed to enter into sett

ments with the Federal Trade Commission that prohibit the allegedly deceptive claims, and require pre-approvfrom the Food and Drug Administration for any future treatment claims about head lice products.

The settlements resolve deceptive advertising charges the FTC filed last year against Dave Glassel and the co

panies he controlled, including Chemical Free Solutions, LLC, alleging that they made overhyped claims th

their BEST Yet! line of cedar-oil-based liquid products would treat and prevent bed bug and head lice  infes

tions.

According to the FTC, the defendants falsely claimed that their natural, BEST Yet! bed bug and head lice produ

were invented for the U.S. Army, that their bed bug product was acknowledged by the U.S.D.A. as the #1 cho

of bio-based pesticides, and that the Environmental Protection Agency had warned consumers to avoid chemisolutions for treating bed bug infestations.

Under the agreed-upon settlement orders, the defendants are prohibited from claiming that their BEST Yet! pro

ucts by themselves can stop or prevent a bed bug infestation, or are more effective at doing so than other pro

ucts, unless they have competent and scientific evidence to make the claims. The defendants also are barred fro

claiming that their products can effectively treat head lice infestations unless those claims are non-misleading a

they obtain FDA approval prior to making those claims. The defendants are further prohibited from misrep

senting the results of scientific tests or studies, and from claiming that a product or service they sell is endors

by a government agency or by any other third-party entity when it is not.

The orders impose a $4.6 million judgment against Glassel who is facing  bankruptcy , and a $185,206 judgmeagainst Chemical Free Solutions, LLC , which will be suspended due to the company’s inability to pay. If it is l

er determined that the financial information the company provided the FTC was f alse, the full judgment amou

will become due immediately.

The FTC will continue to pursue its case against the remaining three defendants, Springtech  77376, LLC, Ced

Oil Technologies Corp., and Cedarcide Industries, Inc. Consumers concerned about bed bugs also should see t

FTC publication, “Battling Bed Bugs ,” which urges caution about advertisements that offer quick solutions, a

provides other related advice to consumers.

The Commission vote approving the proposed consent decrees with Dave Glassel and Chemical Free SolutionLLC was 3-1. Chairwoman Ramirez and Commissioner Brill issued a joint statement. Commissioner Maureen

Ohlhausen, who voted no, issued a dissenting statement. Commissioner Wright issued a separate statement.

NOTE: The consent decrees are subject to court approval.Consentdecrees have the force of law when signed

the District Court judge.

The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business pr

tices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, v

it the FTC's online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints in

7/23/2019 Marketers of Unproven Bed Bug and Head Lice Treatments Settle FTC Charges | Federal Trade Commission

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Betsy Lordan

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STAFF CONTACT:

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FTC Western Region, San Francisco

415-848-5100