UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20580

Division of Enforcement
Bureau of Consumer Protection

 

Mr. Walter J. Wolczek
President
Medelco Incorporated
54 Washburn Street
Bridgeport, Connecticut 06605-1848

Re: Medelco Incorporated
       File Number 982 3567

Dear Mr. Wolczek:

The Division of Enforcement staff has conducted an investigation involving an allegation that Medelco Incorporated ("Medelco") has violated the Federal Trade Commission's "all or virtually all" standard for domestic country of origin claims and Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act.

Staff had received a complaint that the packaging for Medelco's oneAll™ Universal Permanent Cone Coffee Filter had included the words "Made in the USA," but the product was marked "Swiss made." There was no indication that the statement "Made in the USA" on the packaging applied solely to the packaging. Your company has informed staff that some filters may have been placed in the wrong packaging when your company switched suppliers, and that you examined your entire inventory and could not find any filter made in Switzerland packaged in a carton marked "Made in the USA." You also stated that all filters made in Switzerland are sold in packages that are clearly labeled "Made in Switzerland."

The staff has concluded that no compliance action against Medelco is indicated at this time. This action is not to be construed as a determination that a violation may not have occurred, just as the pendency of an investigation should not be construed as a determination that a violation has occurred. The Commission reserves the right to take such further action as the public interest may require.

Sincerely,

Elaine D. Kolish
Associate Director