WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Trade Commission has asked a federal court to hold dietary supplement company Amare Global Holdings, its former chief science officer Shawn Talbott and two other individuals in contempt, alleging they violated a prior FTC order prohibiting unsubstantiated health claims.
The contempt motion follows a separate lawsuit filed earlier this month in which the FTC accused Amare Global, Talbott, founding brand partner Patrick Hintze and current Chief Executive Officer David Chung of misleading consumers about the health benefits of the company’s dietary supplements and overstating potential earnings available to sales representatives.
According to the FTC, the defendants marketed supplements for children and adults as capable of treating, curing or mitigating conditions including depression, anxiety and ADHD without possessing adequate scientific support for those claims.
The agency alleges the conduct also violated a 2005 FTC order entered against Talbott following the agency’s case involving dietary supplements marketed as CortiSlim and CortiStress.
In that earlier case, the FTC alleged Talbott made false or unsubstantiated claims that the products could promote weight loss and reduce the risk of serious illnesses. The resulting settlement prohibited Talbott and those acting in concert with him from making health-related claims without competent and reliable scientific evidence and from misrepresenting scientific research.
The FTC’s new filing alleges that Amare Global, Talbott, former Amare CEO Hiep Tran and Hintze worked together to promote products using unsupported claims that they boost neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, lower cortisol levels and improve symptoms associated with mental health conditions.
Federal regulators further contend the company and its representatives described the products as “science backed” and “clinically proven” despite lacking adequate evidence to support those statements.
The agency challenged studies cited by the company as proof of efficacy, alleging the research failed to meet basic scientific standards.
According to the FTC, one study involving the company’s Kids Mood+ supplement included only 10 participants and lacked a placebo control group. The agency also noted that several study authors, including Talbott and individuals affiliated with Amare, had financial interests in the product’s success.
A second study cited by the company similarly failed to follow accepted research methods, the FTC alleged, including deficiencies in how treatment and placebo groups were evaluated.
“Today’s action underscores the FTC’s commitment to enforcing its orders and ensuring that those who deceive consumers are held accountable,” Christopher Mufarrige, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said in announcing the filing.
The FTC is seeking compensatory damages equal to the full amount consumers paid for the products at issue.
The allegations remain subject to judicial review, and the court has not yet ruled on the FTC’s contempt request.
Support the local news that supports Chester County. MyChesCo delivers reliable, fact-based reporting and essential community resources—free for everyone. If you value that, click here to become a patron today.