Debate: The FTC vs POM Wonderful

Read the Debate Issue: Take a Stand on page $94$ in your text. The class will be split into two teams based on alphabetical order of your last name. One team will argue for the first point, and the other will argue for the opposing view.

There are no easy answers to many of these issues. This debate revolves around advertising from the company POM Wonderful. The FTC sued POM Wonderful because it was making health claims that pomegranate juice lowers the risk of heart disease, erectile dysfunction, and prostate cancer. The FTC feel there is not enough evidence to substantiate these claims. POM, on the other hand, argued that the FTC was trying to infringe on its free speech rights. The courts upheld the FTC$$s verdict, but rejected the FTC$$s requirement that companies had to conduct two clinical trials before communicating any health benefits. It felt that one trial is sufficient.

Team $1$: Those with last names beginning with the letters A$-$H

This team will argue point $1$ in your text: The Federal Trade Commission$$s ruling on two clinical trials is necessary to determine causality and ensure that consumers are receiving the most accurate information.

Team $2$: Those with last names beginning with the letters J$-$Z

This team will argue point $2$ in your text: The Federal Trade Commission$$s ruling on clinical trials oversteps its authority because documentation suggests that POM has health benefits and poses no danger to consumers.