WASHINGTON — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued warning letters to seven companies Tuesday for allegedly misrepresenting products as “Made in the USA,” and one for “Made in Texas” claims, despite evidence that the goods were imported in whole or in significant part. The action underscores the agency’s commitment to protecting consumers and ensuring fair competition for legitimate American manufacturers.
“When Americans spend their hard-earned dollars on goods marketed as ‘Made in the USA,’ they deserve to have confidence that these products were all or virtually all made in this country,” said Christopher Mufarrige, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “We will hold accountable any company that undermines Americans’ trust with misleading or outright false U.S. origin claims.”
The letters targeted companies selling items such as drums, industrial laser machinery, coordinate measuring machines, and e-cigarettes. Recipients include A&F Drum Company LLC, Z-Tech Advanced Technologies Inc., Vtron Inc., Helmel Engineering Products Inc., NebTech Inc., Lucky Bar Holdings LLC, and My Vape Order Inc. The action builds on the FTC’s broader enforcement efforts to verify domestic origin claims.
This latest step follows a March executive order from President Donald J. Trump directing the FTC to prioritize enforcement against unlawful “Made in USA” claims. In April, the Commission announced settlements with sellers of American flags, footwear, and electronic dartboards, requiring them to cease misleading claims and provide consumer redress.
The FTC’s “Made in USA” standard requires that a product be “all or virtually all” made in the United States, meaning the final assembly or processing must occur domestically, and the manufacturing costs attributable to U.S. parts and processing must be negligible for foreign content. Unqualified claims must be substantiated; qualified claims must clearly disclose foreign aspects. Violations can constitute deceptive practices under Section 5 of the FTC Act and the Made in USA Labeling Rule.
Such enforcement protects American businesses investing in domestic manufacturing from unfair competition by bad actors. It also supports U.S. workers, communities, and the broader economy by maintaining trust in American-made labeling. The warning letters urge companies to review and correct marketing materials to avoid potential future enforcement actions, which could include civil penalties and consumer redress.
The FTC has ramped up scrutiny in recent years, particularly as consumer preference for domestic products remains strong. Previous actions have involved significant penalties, such as multimillion-dollar settlements for large retailers. Today’s letters reflect a proactive approach, giving companies an opportunity to achieve compliance before more formal proceedings.
Southern Maryland and the broader region benefit from strong manufacturing and small business activity. Accurate country-of-origin labeling helps local consumers make informed choices that support American jobs. The FTC encourages businesses to review their claims and consumers to report suspected violations.
This enforcement aligns with national priorities to bolster domestic production and economic security. The FTC will continue monitoring the marketplace and taking action as needed to uphold truthful advertising standards. Companies receiving letters are expected to respond and demonstrate compliance.
