The online endorsement the 'Bodak Yellow' hitmaker done for a detox tea brand has been branded unclear and 'conspicuous' for the lack of disclosure about her role as a paid spokesmodel.
- Mar 13, 2020
AceShowbiz - Cardi B has been slapped with a warning from authorities at America's Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over her online endorsements as a paid spokesperson for a detox tea brand.
FTC officials took issue with one Instagram video the rap sensation uploaded in November, 2018, when she revealed she had been relying on the drinks to help lose her baby weight after giving birth to daughter Kulture that summer.
In the footage, the "Bodak Yellow" hitmaker posed in a black bra and panties to show off her slender figure, just four months post-partum, and credited the teas for her quick slimdown.
She then encouraged fans to try the drinks for themselves in Teami's annual post-Thanksgiving sale, captioning the post: "The BEST f**kingggg black friday deal. If you spend you $$$ on ANYTHING it better be Teami. Thankful to be a #teamipartner and getting this momma bear bod right!! You need this f**kin detox. @teamiblends is givin yall BUY ONE GET ONE FREE DETOXES code: CARDIFREE #thankyouteami (sic)."
Even though Cardi included hashtags indicating the post was sponsored, FTC bosses insisted the promotion was "deceptive" because "it lacked a clear disclosure" about her role as a paid spokesmodel.
In a written warning issued to the hip-hop star about the advertising violation, FTC representatives added, "The disclosure was not visible to followers viewing the post in their Instagram feeds unless they clicked 'more'. Thus, it was not clear and conspicuous."
"In addition, there was no disclosure in the video. Because the video could be viewed without anyone seeing a disclosure, you should disclose any material connection in the video itself and not just the text portion of your post."
According to Buzzfeed News, FTC officials had already accused Teami chiefs of misleading consumers about the health benefits of their products.
Cardi has yet to comment on the warning, but months after promoting Teami online, she confessed to undergoing liposuction to help her shift the extra pregnancy pounds.
