Detox tea marketers in hot water with Federal Trade Commission

Admitting to sensational, unproven claims that their detox teas would help one lose weight, fight cancer, clear clogged arteries, decrease migraines, treat and prevent flus, and treat colds, along with an array of pretty faces on social media to push its products, the marketers of “detox” drinking teas have settled with the Federal Trade Commission.

Regulators announced that the founders of Teami LLC, which uses social media influencers to push its tea and skincare products, agreed they pushed deceptive health claims with endorsements by well-known social media influencers, who did not adequately disclose that they were being paid to promote its products — a key FTC requirement.

The FTC alleged the business lacked “reliable scientific evidence” that their Teami 30 Day Detox Pack would help consumers lose weight, and that its other teas fight cancer, clear clogged arteries, decrease migraines, treat and prevent flus, and treat colds.

The FTC has also sent warning letters to other tea influencers.

“Social media is full of people peddling so-called detox teas, promising weight loss,” said Andrew Smith, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, in a statement. “Companies need to back up health claims with credible science and ensure influencers prominently disclose that they’re getting paid to promote a product.”