A company that makes magnetic therapy products is being sued by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) following concerns regarding claims made in its advertising.

The OFT has issued High Court proceedings against Magno-Pulse Limited, and its directors Derek and Wendy Price. It is seeking an injunction against them under the Control of Misleading Advertisements Regulations 1988.

Based in Bristol, Magno-Pulse Limited is a manufacturer and retailer of magnetic therapy products for humans and animals, including back and neck wraps, magnetic drinking coasters and pet beds. The OFT is seeking an injunction preventing publication of advertisements making the following claims about the company's products:

• the products have a therapeutic effect, caused by a specified physiological mechanism, due to the magnets they contain
• the therapeutic effect of the products, due to the magnets they contain, is clinically proven or established by scientific trials, or is widely accepted in the scientific or medical communities
• unqualified claims the products have a therapeutic effect and/or that wearing products containing magnets will always produce such an effect, due to their magnets
• that products magnetise or ionise water as a result of the magnets they contain.

Magno-Pulse Limited contends that the advertisements are not misleading and has refused to stop publishing adverts making these kinds of claims. Accordingly, the OFT has issued proceedings so the courts can decide the matter. Magno-Pulse Limited has indicated it intends to defend the proceedings.

Christine Wade, Director of Consumer Regulation Enforcement explained:

'Where advertisements claim products have therapeutic effects it is important they do not mislead consumers. The OFT is asking the High Court to decide if Magno-Pulse Limited's advertisements are misleading.'