FTC: Bamboosa 'misbranded' items

A South Carolina textile manufacturer that bases its entire business identity around bamboo fiber products should instead say it sells rayon, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

The FTC charges in a complaint that Andrews-based Bamboosa "misbranded or falsely or deceptively advertised" its clothes, accessories and baby products in violation of the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act. The merchandise might derive from bamboo but is not bamboo fiber and instead involves hazardous chemicals for processing, the FTC contends.

"If it is a manufactured fiber, rayon, then it needs to be labeled as rayon," FTC staff attorney Korin Ewing said. "If there is evidence it's made using bamboo, then they could say it is rayon made from the bamboo."

Three other companies across the country selling similar merchandise have settled with the FTC, but Bamboosa isn't ready to bend.

Morris Saintsing, head of sales development and operations and a principal in the business, said the agency is "splitting hairs" because rayon is a fiber after all.

"Our product is made from a fiber made from bamboo," Saintsing said. "We can say it's made from a fiber made from bamboo. We just can't say it's made from bamboo fiber."

The problem is, Saintsing said, everyone in the supply chain -- even bamboo processors in China -- call it bamboo fiber.

Its partners only realized the flap over bamboo last year after reading about a similar case out of Canada, according to Saintsing.

Soon after, they received notice of the FTC investigation.

Bamboosa was launched in 2004 and once had an office in Awendaw. The company employs about 30 people who cut, sew and distribute the product line from Andrews. Merchandise is sold online and in stores across the country and beyond.

That client base includes Internet-based Summerville business Itsy Bitsy Baby Boutique. Nancy Matthews, who runs the business with her husband, said she never received a complaint about a Bamboosa product.

She had not heard about the FTC allegations but said Tuesday: "We're very proud to have them in our state, and I don't want to lose them in our state."

Saintsing said the company will likely try to settle the case, adding, "I don't think we have the manpower to go up against the FTC."

Reach Allyson Bird at 937-5594 or abird@postandcourier.com.