Teami Blends

Teami Blends marketed detox teas and skincare products using deceptive health claims and paid-but-undisclosed celebrity endorsements. The FTC brought a landmark enforcement action in March 2020 that is now cited as a reference case for influencer marketing violations nationwide.

The company claimed its teas could cause rapid weight loss, "fight against cancerous cells," decrease migraines, unclog arteries, and prevent colds and flu — none of which were supported by scientific evidence. Instagram posts by high-profile paid influencers hid disclosure labels behind Instagram's "more" cutoff, making it impossible for most followers to see the ads were sponsored.

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▸ Case #1 — FTC $15.2M Judgment (March 2020) The Federal Trade Commission secured a $15,209,452 judgment against Teami, LLC and its owners, partially suspended upon a $1 million payment, after charging the company with false health claims and inadequate influencer disclosures. The FTC alleged Teami took in over $15 million through deceptive advertising. Court filings specifically cited product claims about cancer cells, weight loss, and disease prevention that had zero clinical backing.

▸ Case #2 — Influencer Warning Letters to Cardi B and 9 Others (2020) As part of the same enforcement action, the FTC issued formal warning letters to 10 well-known influencers including Cardi B and Jordin Sparks, alleging their Instagram posts failed to disclose that Teami had paid them to endorse the products. Disclosures were hidden below Instagram's "more" truncation, a direct violation of FTC endorsement guidelines.