Consumer advocacy group asks the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate whether Dr. Mehmet Oz violated influencer marketing rules by promoting the wellness supplement company's products on social media without proper disclosure. is asking you to start.
In a letter sent Tuesday to the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, Public Citizen said Oz regularly posted videos on various sites including X, TikTok, and Instagram without disclosing his financial ties to iHerb. He said he cross-posts iHerb content across platforms.
“Fake advertising is inherently deceptive because consumers do not know how to properly apply screens,” Public Citizen said in the letter, adding, “The problem is that false advertising featuring paid endorsements is inherently deceptive. “Consumers are seriously deceived in advertising and believe that the lauded celebrity is providing genuine, self-directed advertising.” And they enthusiastically endorse a brand, but don't realize that the celebrity is being paid on their behalf and may not even be using the brand being promoted. ”
Oz, who was selected by President-elect Trump to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, has been a “global advisor” to iHerb since 2023.
In an Instagram post the day before Thanksgiving, Oz told his 1.1 million followers. “Adaptogens like ashwagandha from trusted sources like iHerb” can help reduce Thanksgiving stress, he said.
Public Citizen notes that Oz identifies himself as an “@iHerb Global Advisor and Stakeholder,” but none of his video posts disclose his financial connections, nor does the accompanying text. I pointed out that I had not done so. The post also has no other disclosures, such as the hashtag #ad.
FTC guidelines state that advertiser disclosures should appear alongside the endorsement message itself.
“The guidelines make clear that endorsement disclosures must be made in all promotions, not just general ones,” the watchdog group wrote. “Specifically, if you use your social media account to promote products or services in exchange for compensation, you must note the paid relationship in your social media posts.”
Oz's post on TikTok does include a disclosure, which Public Citizen says is likely automated by TikTok's content disclosure system. However, it is not clear whether they have adequately disclosed his interests, the group added.
