Health · editorial rating

Gwyneth Paltrow (Goop)

Goop settled with prosecutors over health claims and dropped a NASA claim that NASA denied. It has since accepted a duty to back up efficacy claims.

Editorial opinion: SG Score 35 out of 100. Verdict: OVERSTATED. This is not a customer star rating and not a finding by a court.

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Strengths

• Changed course after the settlement and agreed to back efficacy claims with competent scientific evidence
• Removed the NASA claim when challenged
• Much of its editorial content is free to read

Weaknesses

• Ten California district attorneys announced a $145,000 settlement over unsubstantiated jade egg, rose quartz egg, and Inner Judge claims (S1).
• NHS England's chief executive criticized The Goop Lab for promoting colonic irrigation and coffee enemas (S5).
• NASA said its suits are not lined with the carbon material claimed for Body Vibes stickers, and Goop removed the line (S4).

Claims

1. fails. Jade and rose quartz eggs could balance hormones, regulate menstrual cycles, prevent uterine prolapse and increase bladder control (as alleged by California prosecutors).

   Ten California district attorneys alleged the claims were unsubstantiated. Goop paid $145,000 in civil penalties and offered refunds, and said the settlement does not indicate any liability.

   Sources: S1 S2

2. fails. Body Vibes stickers were 'made with the same conductive carbon material NASA uses to line space suits.'

   NASA said its suits are not lined with carbon material, and a former NASA chief scientist called the premise 'snake oil.' Goop removed the claim.

   Sources: S4

3. partly. Goop says it is 'transparent when we cover emerging topics that may be unsupported by science.'

   Truth in Advertising flagged more than 50 products for health claims in 2017, and NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens said The Goop Lab promotes colonic irrigation and DIY coffee enema machines.

   Sources: S3 S5 R48

Public record

• 2017-08: Truth in Advertising, an advocacy group, filed a complaint with a California task force alleging deceptive health claims across more than 50 products. Goop called the group's claims unsubstantiated and unfounded and said it responded in good faith. S3
• 2018-09: Settled with ten California district attorneys over jade egg, rose quartz egg and Inner Judge flower essence claims: $145,000 in civil penalties, refunds, and a bar on efficacy claims without competent and reliable scientific evidence. Goop said the settlement does not indicate any liability. S1

Also in Health

• Andrew Huberman (74, MIXED)
• Kevin Trudeau (5, HALL OF SHAME)

Sources

1. S1 District Attorney Jill Ravitch Announces Consumer Protection Settlement With Goop, Inc.. Sonoma County District Attorney. https://da.sonomacounty.ca.gov/jill-ravitch-announces-consumer-protection-settlement
2. S2 Gwyneth Paltrow's goop settles vaginal eggs claims. ABC News. https://abcnews.com/US/gwyneth-paltrows-goop-settles-vaginal-eggs-claims/story?id=57618571
3. S3 Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop Accused of 'Deceptive' Health Claims. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/gwyneth-paltrow-s-goop-accused-making-deceptive-health-claims-n796551
4. S4 NASA Disputes Gwyneth Paltrow and Goop for Body Vibes. Time. https://time.com/4829968/nasa-dispute-gwyneth-paltrow-goop/
5. S5 Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop Netflix show criticized by UK health chief. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/31/gwyneth-paltrows-goop-netflix-show-criticized-by-uk-health-chief.html
6. S6 Gwyneth Paltrow is selling $90 supplements now. Fox News. https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/gwyneth-paltrow-is-selling-90-supplements-now.amp

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