Wealthy Health, an online vitamin retailer owned by Universal Pharmaceuticals, has admitted to breaching consumer law by making a misleading representation regarding a product containing squalene sourced from sharks.

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Between February 2021 and October 2022, the company posted statements on its website that its Organic Squalene 1000mg with Vitamin E product was “sustainably sourced from sharks from the crystal-clear oceans of Australia”.

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The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Commissioner, Liza Carver, said the regulator was “concerned” that the company knew the product in question did not contain squalene “sourced exclusively” from Australian waters.

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“Consumers are often willing to pay a premium for products that advertise they are made with Australian ingredients, and statements that mislead consumers about the origin of ingredients used may also result in consumers unfairly preferencing that product over other equivalent products in the market,” said Carver.

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The ACCC has accepted a court-enforceable undertaking from Universal Pharmaceuticals not to make representations as such without proper evidence. The company has agreed to publish a corrective advertisement for 90 days on the relevant product page and has refunded two customers who purchased the product. Universal Pharmaceuticals has also agreed to provide consumer law training to its director and staff.

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“Businesses must be able to substantiate their claims about the products and services they sell,” said Carver. “It’s essential that consumers are able to have trust and confidence that the products they purchase are accurately represented.”

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Sources: https://internetretailing.com.au/wealthy-health-breaches-consumer-law-by-making-an-unsubstantiated-claim/