Please be sure to read my DISCLAIMER

The Infomercial

Many "all-natural" health products have been marketed on ITV Direct in an "interview format", where Donald Barrett asks questions of the person selling the product (usually the inventor), and they respond. Of course, sometimes Donald asks leading questions ("What about gout? Can this product help with that?" "How 'bout people with Fibromyalgia? Can this product help?" [not direct quotes, but close]) obviously based on the claims of the product. But this is normal in the realm of "interview TV"... The producers find out all they can about the product and the host makes sure certain, if not all, points get made.

In the beginning of the last infomercial I saw by ITV (for Flex-Protex), Mr Barrett was out from behind his desk, sans tie, standing and talking to the TV audience. He said that the infomercial we were about to see had been "heavily censored" by the FDA and FTC, and that they'd had to edit out information to prevent ITV from being "shut down" and Mr Barrett possibly being arrested. I had seen that infomercial before, and I don't recall missing anything. However, I did notice that every time either Mr Barrett or his guest made a claim about the product, a disclaimer was shown, stating that the claims had not been substantiated with the FDA. And, when claims were made regarding the speed with which the product worked (and sometimes for what), the standard infomercial disclaimer "Results may vary" appeared. In each case, in fine print, but plainly visible. I don't think Mr Barrett likes having to do that.

Mr Barrett and ITV have joined with others (many who have appeared in ITV infomercials) in a battle to get the Health Freedom Protection Act, which was introduced in Congress, passed.

This bill will: (from ITV Direct » News (11/17/2005)

For more on this, see StopFDACensorship.org Off Site New Window.

One of the reasons, I believe, is that the FDA and other organizations make them put disclaimers in their infomercials, or won't allow claims of cure, treatment or prevention. And, Donald and/or many of his ... interviewees ... seem to believe that the FDA, FTC and all doctors are simply shills for the "pharmaceutical behemoths".

Now, I don't believe Donald Barrett, or ITV Direct, themselves, are Shams. Mr Barret apparently believes wholeheartedly in what he markets. They are providing a service for those who produce "natural" products who may not have any other way to do so. I do not necessarily agree with them, and while I agree that if what they say is true, their fight with the FDA/FTC may have some validity, I repeat that my worry with the fight is that if they win, I'm afraid we might get back to where "snake oil salesmen" will be allowed to sell RUBBING alcohol as a cure for cancer.

From what I understand of law, setting this precedence may also open the door for other advertisers to sue the government, and, if THEY win, they would then be able to say things that aren't true, and the government would have to spend even MORE of our tax money to investigate, charge and prosecute them.

If Mr Barrett has scientific proof that the products sold on ITV Direct do what they claim, he doesn't seem like one who would not produce it, or disseminate it (say pamphlets to those requesting the information) through the various websites ITV Direct and the producers of the products have on the web. The disclaimers required would mean nothing to those who are really interested.

However, to suggest that people disregard what is said by the medical community is not safe, for Mr Barrett, the product producers or ITV Direct. With one major lawsuit for wrongful death or causing injury because the person did what they were told and disregarded their doctors' orders, everything he's worked for could go up in smoke.

The Product(s)

It appears that the majority of products sold through ITV Infomercials are "all-natural" (bypassing the FDA safe-guards), cost an arm and a leg - They keep mentioning how expensive the testing is, and seem to charge as much as prescription medicines and MUCH more than OTC meds - most claim to be able to regenerate, rejuvenate and revitalize, most have multiple combinations of "all-natural" ingredients, and supposedly all have been tested thoroughly, with "scientific" studies both by the producers and ITV(?) to back them up. It also appears that with each of these "all-natural" products, you have to take three (3) or four (4) capsules a day, unless it's a powder to add to your drink or make a tea.)

HOWEVER, I believe I can (safely) say that since each of these products use multiple combinations, there'd BETTER be scientific studies. While not everyone knows, combining inert and even "natural" ingredients can produce deadly poisons, explosions (no, I'm not saying these pills will explode... just making a point here), CAUSE health problems, interact with pharmaceuticals, etc. Those scientific studies better continue long after the products actually sell. As for other claims, I would definitely like to see those studies. How long were they? How many people? How many did it take before a result could be or was claimed by the product?

ITV Direct, itself, does not create the products it sells (as near as I can tell). It creates and produces infomercials (most appear to feature Donald as the interviewer). They help their clients market their products, and, as I've said, have been in a fight to get legislation passed called the "Health Freedom Protection Act (HR 4282)" Off Site New Window (introduced in the House of Representatives by US Congressman Ron Paul on November 10, 2005). ITV does buy lots (not bunches, cases or pallets) of product from the supplier(s) for a discounted price, and sells them.

• ITV Direct
  Be sure to check out the News section (appears to be only available from the first page).
  • ITV » Take The Tour
• ITV Direct and/or Donald Barrett - Actions
  • Preliminary Injunction by the FTC, Supreme Greens/ITV
  • April 19, 2004 FDA Warning Letter, Supreme Greens/ITV
  • 06/03/2004 Marketers of “Supreme Greens” and “Coral Calcium Daily” Come under Fire from the FTC
  • Federal Trade Commission, plaintiff v. Direct Marketing Concepts
• ITV Direct and/or Donald Barret - News
  • ITV Direct sues association for criticizing ad practices
  • ITV Direct, Inc. Fights Back Against Defamation and Attempted Censorship
  • 06/03/2004 - Marketers of "Supreme Greens" and "Coral Calcium Daily" Come under Fire from the FTC article
  • Retailing.org - ERSP Case Referred to the FTC
  • 11/23/2005 Diet Marketer Takes On FTC
  • 11/12/2005 Health Freedom Protection Act Introduced in US Congress
  • from Vivid iKid quoting the Boston Herald 10/20/2005:
    
    

    If you believe the infomercial, Flex Protex might be the answer to arthritis sufferers' prayers.

    The natural supplement works like a "COX-2 Inhibitor" relieving chronic arthritis pain without any of the nasty side effects of traditional drugs, such as Vioxx or Celebrex, says Donald Barrett, president and CEO of Beverly-based ITV Direct Inc. and Direct Marketing Inc.

    But the Federal Trade Commission finds Barrett's supplements a bit hard to swallow.

    In fact, the FTC is calling most of the "natural remedies" the infomercial producer touts bogus. And the agency has taken Barrett to court.

    Now he's firing back with a lawsuit accusing the FTC of targeting his company and of being in cahoots with big drug manufacturers.

    "We've been selectively prosecuted because (the FTC) is protecting the interest of the large pharmaceutical companies," Barrett said.

    The agency has harassed employees, contacted media outlets to stop the company from advertising and violated free speech rights, ITV's suit claims.

    The ugly battle started two years ago when Barrett began marketing two dietary supplements called "Supreme Green with MSM" and "Coral Calcium Daily" through infomercials on cable television.

    The FTC claims ITV heralded the products as a cure for cancer or even the way to a slimmer figure.

    Barrett denies branding the products as a cure for cancer.

    ITV pulled the "Supreme Green" and "Coral Calcium" infomercials after the FTC won an injunction last year.

    Three other figures named in the suit settled with the FTC, including Alejandro Guerrero of Healthy Solutions, who appeared with Barrett in past infomercials.

    Guerrero agreed to pay the FTC $65,000 or surrender the keys to his 2004 Cadillac Escalade.

    The FTC recently took aim again at Barrett and his company of 300 employees for airing new infomercials selling "Flex Protex" and a seaweed-based supplement called "Sea Vegg."

    Barrett is not the first infomercial star pushing dietary cures to come under fire from the FTC.

    Kevin Trudeau, a well-known natural cures guru, settled with the agency for $2 million in 2003 for claiming a product could cure cancer and relieve pain.

    Barrett accused the agency of engaging in a witch hunt, attempting to take down natural remedies companies to protect the pharmaceutical industry.

    A spokeswoman for the FTC declined to comment on the allegations.

     

  • 01/01/2006 - Sour Grapes or Salient Points? How Perception Drives Reality

Among the Products

These are products sold on infomercials produced by ITV Direct and hosted by Donald Barrett that I have seen. There are others. Once you've seen Donald Barrett's style in interviewing, you've seen how all of these infomercials will go. The main difference is the products and people he's interviewing. As in all infomercials:

• Scott Kennedy and "Sea Vegg"
• Patty McPeak & NutraCea Products (Rice 'N' Shine and Flex Protex) *
• Donald Barrett and ITV Ventures

FYI: It appears that Mr. Barrett has joined forces with Kevin Trudeau, to:

• with others, sue the Federal Government (FDA, etc.) to allow "natural products" to be sold with much less restriction as they do now,
• develop ITV Ventures, an MLM tied with ITV Direct infomercials, that will, it appears, sell the products advertised on the infomercials. See the following links for more information. Remember that they want you to join them. I haven't seen an infomercial for it, yet, so may or may not create a page for it in the Business secion. Is it a sham? You decide for now...:
  • digg - Itv Ventures Mellness Media
  • ITV Ventures IBO™ with ITV Ventures™ - Ranked #1 with MLMRankings.com
  • Direct Marketing Leaders Donald Barrett and Kevin Trudeau Join Forces

* I believe that these products MIGHT work for what they are (mainly) advertised. In some cases, they claim they will do much more, but for that one or those two main purposes...

Be sure to see my related pages:

• Shams/Infomercial Info Division Home
• Shams/Infomercial Info - Business Opportunities
• Shams/Infomercial Info - ITV Direct (Donald Barrett)
• Shams/Infomercial Info - ITV Ventures™ (Donald Barrett)
• Shams/Infomercial Info - ITV Ventures™ (T&C and Costs review)

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