Misleading Packaging, Labelling & Advertising of Down & Feather Bedding Products

The Competition Bureau received complaints in July and September 2005 alleging that various bedding products sold by a national retailer were labelled and advertised in a potentially misleading manner.

A Bureau examination conducted under section 5 of the Textile Labelling Act and section 29 of the Textile Labelling and Advertising Regulations revealed that various comforters were being advertised on the retailer’s Web site and in flyers either as ‘down’ when the product contained little or no down, or as both ‘down’ and ‘down alternative’ when in fact they were made of synthetic fibre. Additionally, the fibre content information shown on the packaging for a brand of pillows was found to be incorrect and therefore contradicted the information on the disclosure label.

An official with the retail company was contacted by the Bureau and numerous requested changes to the Web site were made. The retailer contacted the pillow manufacturer who provided  new packaging for the approximately 1,900 pillows valued at $76,000 that were in stock.

These issues were resolved in December 2005.

(3099198 & 3099331)