The Federal Trade Commission has accepted, subject to final approval, an agreement containing a consent order from Interstate Bakeries Corporation (IBC).

The proposed consent order has been placed on the public record for thirty (30) days for receipt of comments by interested persons. Comments received during this period will become part of the public record. After thirty (30) days, the Commission will again review the agreement and the comments received, and will decide whether it should withdraw from the agreement or make final the agreement's proposed order.

This matter involves allegedly unsubstantiated representations made on television and in Internet advertising about the effects of the calcium in Wonder Bread on children's memory and brain function. According to the FTC complaint, IBC made unsubstantiated claims that as a good source of calcium, Wonder Bread helps children's minds work better and helps children remember things.

The proposed consent order contains provisions designed to prevent IBC from engaging in similar acts and practices in the future. Part I of the proposed order prohibits IBC from making any unsubstantiated claim (a claim lacking competent and reliable scientific evidence) that as a good source of calcium, Wonder Bread helps children's minds work better, or as a good source of calcium, Wonder Bread helps children remember things.

Part II of the order requires IBC to have competent and reliable scientific evidence for any claim that any of its breads, bread products, rolls or muffins or any of their ingredients, helps brain function or memory, or can treat, cure or prevent any disease or related health condition. Part II also provides that a mere statement that a product contains a particular vitamin or mineral will not, without more, be considered for purposes of this order a representation that the product can treat, cure or prevent any disease or related health condition.

Part IV of the order states that the order does not apply to any label or labeling printed before the order is served on IBC and shipped by IBC's bakeries to distributors or retailers within nine months after the order is issued.

Part III of the order notes that this order does not prohibit IBC from making any claim that is specifically permitted in labeling pursuant to the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990. Parts V through VIII of the order require IBC to keep copies of relevant advertisements and materials substantiating claims made in the advertisements, to provide copies of the order to certain of its personnel, to notify the Commission of changes in corporate structure, and to file a compliance report with the Commission. Part IX provides that the order will terminate after twenty (20) years under certain circumstances.

The purpose of this analysis is to facilitate public comment on the proposed order, and it is not intended to constitute an official interpretation of the agreement and proposed order or to modify in any way their terms.