Aromatherapy Companies Go to Trial Over Authenticity

IRVINE, Calif.--Aroma Naturals Inc., based here, filed suit against Albuquerque, N.M.-based Our Secret Ltd., claiming that Our Secret has allegedly misrepresented its aromatherapy candles as containing pure essential oils when the candles are made of synthetic fragrances. "Aroma Naturals is basically trying to protect the public and itself from false advertising and unfair competition," said Bill Levin, the company's lawyer. "Our Secret made statements about their candles that are not true."

Aroma Naturals anticipates more than $15 million in damages and seeks a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction for unfair business practices. It also asks for a judicial determination of trademark rights. The hearing will take place in the Santa Ana Federal Courts (case SACV 00-591 GLT).

"We have advertised pure essential oils and pure plant extracts, and we stand behind those," said Matt Walsh, CEO of Our Secret. "We stand behind all of our product claims." For more information about both companies, visit www.aromanaturals.com and www.oursecret.com.