Brands that deceive or mislead the public risk losing more than their good reputation. They can also face class-action lawsuits and hefty fines for tricking unsuspecting consumers.

If you think that large companies are above false advertising, think again. Here are three well-known examples of big brands that crossed the line.

1. Dannon Activia Yogurt

You may be familiar with Dannon’s popular Activia brand yogurt because of an ad campaign starring actress Jamie Lee Curtis. Unfortunately, the popular yogurt was the subject of a multi-million dollar class action settlement in 2010.

It was marketed as a “scientifically” and “clinically” proven way to boost your immune system and regulate your digestion. However, the judge on the case disagreed. He said that these claims were unproven, though the company denied any wrongdoing.

2. Airborne Herbal Supplements

There was a time when you couldn’t turn on the television without seeing a commercial for Airborne. Marketers claimed the herbal supplement could alleviate the flu and defend against the common cold. Consumers were even advised to take it as a preventative measure before entering a germ-filled environment like an airplane.

All of that was before the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) got involved. It turned out that there was no scientific evidence to support Airborne’s effectiveness claims. Airborne wound up paying millions in a class-action lawsuit.

3. New Balance Shoes

Wouldn’t it be great if losing weight was as easy as buying a new pair of shoes? Too bad that isn’t the case. New Balance was sued for false advertising in 2011 over a range of sneakers that promised to help wearers burn calories using hidden technology.

Studies concluded that the shoes offered no special health benefits and might even lead to injury. New Balance agreed to pay a settlement of over two million dollars.

Have You Been Deceived by False Advertising?

At Markoff Leinberger, our Chicago attorneys are experienced in handling false advertising lawsuits. If you’ve fallen victim to false advertising, call us at 312-726-4162 for a free case evaluation. You could be entitled to compensation.