Ralston Purina to Pay $10.4 Million to Alpo

A federal judge has awarded $10.4 million in damages to Alpo Petfoods Inc. after ruling that Ralston Purina Co. made false advertising claims touting the benefits of Purina Puppy Chow.

U.S. District Judge Stanley Sporkin ruled against Ralston’s marketing campaign, begun in 1985, in which the firm contended that its Puppy Chow products helped promote proper hip joint development.

Ralston will appeal the judgment, the company said Monday in a statement from its St. Louis headquarters.

Sporkin also found that Alpo made false claims when it said veterinarians preferred Alpo’s puppy food by a 2-to-1 margin over that of the leading brand, which was Purina’s Puppy Chow. He didn’t order Alpo to pay any damages, but enjoined both firms from engaging in false advertising.