The Supreme Court is leaving in place a court ruling that found advertising claims of the health benefits of POM Wonderful juices were deceptive.
The justices on Monday rejected an appeal from POM Wonderful LLC that argued that the ruling violated the company's speech rights. POM makes pomegranate-based products.
The Federal Trade Commission and the federal appeals court in Washington faulted POM for asserting that its products curb the risk of heart disease, prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction and are clinically proven to work.
Judge Sri Srinivasan said the First Amendment does not protect "deceptive and misleading advertisements."
The three-judge panel included Judge Merrick Garland, President Barack Obama's Supreme Court nominee. Srinivasan also was considered for the high court seat left open by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia.
