WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Dec. 12 that the agency has finalized a public comment period and approved a final consent order that settles allegations against Moonlight Slumber LLC, which makes “organic” products. It is the FTC’s first case involving “organic” product claims.
Moonlight Slumber markets and advertises baby mattresses. The company has alleged that its Starlight Simplicity and Little Star mattresses were “organic.” The FTC alleged, however, that the mattresses included a substantial majority of non-organic materials. Moonlight Slumber also marketed its Little Star mattress as having a “natural latex core.” The FTC alleged the product’s latex actually was synthetic.
According to the FTC, Moonlight Slumber also falsely claimed that many of its mattresses were made out of plant-based foam, falsely said the products contained no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and deceptively alleged its products were certified by the “green safety shield.” This designation was a company marking that Moonlight Slumber allegedly awarded it to its own products.
Moonlight Slumber is banned from such alleged conduct in the future.
The FTC voted 2-0 to approve the final consent order and letter to the one public commenter. Amanda Kostner of the Bureau of Competition is staff contact for the case.