Target Misses the Mark With 'Made in USA' Claims

Madison, CONN., June 28, 2017 -- For a third year in a row, ad watchdog group, truthinadvertising.org (TINA.org) is calling out a major retailer for deceptive "Made in the USA" claims. A TINA.org investigation has revealed that Target, the second largest retailer in the country, is displaying false and deceptive Made in the USA product specifications on its website. This is despite the fact that Target recently assured the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that it had implemented a system to prevent false U.S-origin claims.

TINA.org uncovered 100 examples in which Target’s specifications falsely state Made in the USA for products made wholly or partially in other countries. Included in the sampling are some of Target’s own brands — such as up & up floor sweeper dry cloths that are made in China but identified on the Target website as Made in the USA.

The retailer, which receives more than one billion page views each month, came under FTC scrutiny earlier this year for Made in the USA marketing but the agency closed its inquiry after Target assured the FTC that it had taken steps to prevent further consumer deception. Based on the results of its recent investigation, TINA.org filed a complaint with the FTC, urging it to reopen its investigation into Target.

“Consumers that want to buy Made in the USA products are being deceived by Target’s false origin representations, and as a result of this misrepresentation, may be making purchasing decisions that benefit Target at the expense of companies that are accurately identifying where their products are actually made,” said Bonnie Patten, executive director of TINA.org.

Target is not the only major retailer to list false and deceptive Made in the USA claims on its website. A previous TINA.org investigation revealed more than 300 American-made misrepresentations on Walmart’s website in the past two years. TINA.org is also tracking more than 30 class-action lawsuits alleging deceptive Made in the USA claims.

To read more about TINA.org’s investigation of Target’s Made in the USA Claims see: www.truthinadvertising.org/target-misses-mark-with-made-in-usa-claims

About TINA.org (truthinadvertising.org) 

TINA.org is a non-profit organization that uses investigative journalism, education, and advocacy to empower consumers to protect themselves against false advertising and deceptive marketing.

 For press inquiries contact: Shana Mueller, TINA.org, 203.421.6210 or [email protected].

Shana Mueller
truthinadvertising.org
203-421-6210
[email protected]