Gwyneth Paltrow‘s new-age-advice-newsletter-turned-online-retailer Goop has agreed to pay out over $200,000 after a settlement over ‘unsubstantiated claims’ regarding the health benefit of jade vaginal eggs, among other things.
[jwplayer MrIYS6zy]
The LA Times is reporting that the suit, launched by 10 California counties, pertained to vaginal eggs both Jade and Rose Quartz, and to Inner Judge Flower Essence Blend, a tincture purported to assist in the “clearing of guilt, shame, self-criticism and blame“. According to the LA Times, Goop claimed that the eggs were ‘a way for women to balance their hormones, regulate menstrual cycles, prevent uterine prolapse and increase bladder control’. Theoretically, this is achieved by, uh, putting them up you. Would you believe it, these claims are not backed by science.
As part of the settlement, Goop has had to pay out $US145,000 in civil penalties and must offer refunds to some customers who purchased these products. According to the Orange County district attorney’s office, Goop is “barred from making any claims regarding the efficacy of its products without possessing competent and reliable scientific evidence, and from manufacturing or selling any misbranded, unapproved, or falsely-advertised medical devices,” which I imagine might fuck with their business model somewhat.
Goop’s response was really something, via chief financial officer Erica Moore in a statement:
Goop provides a forum for practitioners to present their views and experiences with various products like the Jade Egg. The law, though, sometimes views statement like this as advertising claims, which are subject to various legal requirements.
Terrifying that we live in a totalitarian world where the things you sell have to do the things you claim they do.
If for some reason I cannot even begin to imagine you bought one of these products at some point between January 12 and August 31 last year, you can get yourself a refund by emailing customerservice@goop.com. Feel free to also send us an email telling us why you did this.
