CONSUMER NEWS
New Balance Faces False-Advertising Charges: The Federal Trade Commission said in an administrative complaint that commercials boasting that New Balance athletic shoes are made in America are misleading because a substantial number of shoes are made in foreign countries. New Balance is disputing the allegations. The company said some shoes are produced in the United States while others are made in foreign countries. The company said the country of origin is clearly stated on each product. Separately, Hyde Athletic Shoes Inc., makers of shoes under the Saucony, Playskool and Barbie brand names, settled charges that advertisements claiming its products are made in America mislead consumers. Hyde neither confirmed nor denied the allegations and said it settled to avoid expensive litigation.
