North Face Pays EPA $207,500 Fine for Unsubstantiated Claims

San Leandro company claimed shoes were anti-bacterial

San Leandro-based outerwear retailer North Face has settled a lawsuit brought by the Environmental Protection Agency over the company's claims that its shoes would prevent disease-causing bacteria.

While the EPA found that the shoes had been treated with a pesticide, the anti-bacterial effects of the chemical to prevent foot infections was never tested.

North Face agreed to pay a $207,500 fine, and no longer advertises the shoes as anti-bacterial.

The EPA settled three similar lawsuits regarding unsubstantiated health claims made by companies.

The Food and Drug Administration has been on a similar campaign to stop food manufacturers and retailers of making unfounded claims to prevent or cure disease.

Jackson West wonders why America is so anti-bacteria, because if it wasn't for diseased blankets…

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