WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced it recently issued warning letters to four companies for allegedly deceptive “Made in USA” claims and has also notified retail giants Amazon and Walmart regarding similar issues involving third-party sellers on their platforms.
The FTC sent letters to Americana Liberty, Oak Street Manufacturing, Pro Sports Group, and USA Big Mountain Paper Inc., cautioning each company against marketing products as “Made in USA” unless they meet strict legal standards. Under the FTC Act and the Made in USA Labeling Rule, a product advertised as American-made must be “all or virtually all” manufactured within the United States.
In its communication, the FTC demanded that these companies either discontinue such claims or provide credible evidence proving their products truly meet domestic manufacturing requirements. Violations of these standards can lead to serious consequences, including administrative subpoenas, federal lawsuits, injunctive relief, and substantial civil penalties.
In addition to addressing individual manufacturers, the FTC issued letters to Amazon and Walmart to emphasize that the same “Made in USA” requirements extend to online marketplaces. The Commission highlighted third-party sellers on both platforms that appear to be making misleading origin claims, potentially violating federal law and the platforms’ own policies.
FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson underscored the importance of these enforcement efforts, stating, “‘Made in the USA’ is not just a slogan — it’s a sign that a product connects us to the workers and businesses that make America great. Consumers want to have confidence that when they buy something labeled ‘Made in the USA’ they are actually supporting American workers and the American economy.”
The move spotlights the FTC’s continued effort to protect consumers from deceptive marketing and ensure fair competition for businesses that genuinely manufacture in the United States.
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