Good Thinking Society has reported The 'Avengers: Infinity War' actress' lifestyle firm to Britain's National Food Crime Unit, accusing the company of breaching advertising and trading law.
- Nov 17, 2018
AceShowbiz - Gwyneth Paltrow's lifestyle company Goop is under investigation by officials at Britain's National Food Crime Unit (NFCU).
The "Iron Man" actress' firm, which sells recommended health and lifestyle products, was reported to U.K. authorities by staff at science charity Good Thinking Society (GTS) last month over 113 alleged breaches of advertising and trading law.
Correspondence obtained by WENN shows that the U.K. Food Standards Agency (FSA) and their Food Crime Unit are now investigating multiple products sold by Goop - a move welcomed by GTS bosses.
"It is extremely worrying to us that Goop appear to be shipping potentially dangerous products to the U.K., so it is encouraging to see that the NFCU is seriously investigating some of these products," Laura Thomason, a project manager at the non-profit told WENN. "It is important that the U.K. public is protected from misleading claims, and supplements which could cause genuine harm."
Of particular concern is a supplement called Sun Potion containing Chinese knotweed. Although it is used in traditional medicine, experts have warned that doses of the plant can cause liver damage. FSA officials wrote that they had received advice from Britain's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency stating the supplement could be classed as an "unauthorised novel food" and that a specialist team are now investigating. Another product, the Lion's Mane Mushroom Elixir, has also been referred to the same department.
Highlighted in the original GTS complaint was The Mother Load - a vitamin A supplement marketed at mums-to-be that worried experts because excessive levels of the vitamin can cause birth defects. According to the FSA correspondence, local officials took "appropriate action" to prevent the product being distributed. Goop has apparently stopped shipping The Mother Load to the U.K. and Food Crime Unit investigators are now liaising with staff at America's Food and Drug Agency over the future of the product.
Earlier this year, Goop paid $145,000 (£111,000) to settle a claim brought by Californian authorities over unscientific claims made about products. Gwyneth blamed the episode on a "verbiage issue" with her firm's marketing.
