Action urged on menopause product ads

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 (UPI) -- A U.S. nonprofit group says a red clover dietary supplement called Promensil is being deceptively marketed to women to reduce menopause symptoms.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest in Washington is urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission to crack down on Promensil's advertising and labeling, which includes a recent television ad that calls it "the only supplement proven to reduce menopause symptoms" and ads in women’s magazines that claim "22 clinical studies can’t be wrong."

Most of the research on Promensil that looked at hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms found the red clover supplement to be no more effective than a placebo, explained David Schardt, a CSPI senior nutritionist.

CSPI conducted an analysis of the scientific research on Promensil and in letters to the federal agencies it is urging that the government have the company reimburse consumers, run corrective advertising and pay a fine.