FTC Targets Weight Loss Product Claims
Government Says D-Glucosamine Doesn't Stop Fat Absorption
By Jim Kling
WebMD Medical News Reviewed By Michael Smith, MD
on Friday, January 24, 2003
Jan. 24, 2003 -- In the latest development in its campaign to crack down on false advertising in the weight loss supplement industry, the FTC announced today that it is filing a complaint in federal court against Slim Down Solution and related companies. The company ran national ads for its Slim Down Solution, a product it claimed could absorb dietary fat and lead to weight loss without diet or exercise.
The product contains D-glucosamine, a natural chemical in the body. But the company's claims about its fat-busting ability are totally untrue, said Howard Beales, director of the FTC's bureau of consumer protection.
The company's ads also claimed that independent testing using government standards had shown that D-glucosamine binds to dietary fat in the human digestive system. Those claims are false, according to the FTC.
'The sad truth is the only way to lose weight is to reduce calories taken in and to increase calories [burned] ... there's nothing out there that will get around that scientific reality,' Beales tells WebMD.
Slim Down Solution was also marketed through re-sellers under labels such as Fight the Fat, and Everslim, Mini Max. FTC is seeking consumer compensation for purchase of the product. To take part, go to FTC's web site. 'Consumers should contact the FTC and file their complaint so we have them on our list... if and when we get money back to consumers, then we'll contact them,' Beales said at a news conference.
SOURCES: Howard Beales, director of the FTC's bureau of consumer protection * News release, Federal Trade Commission.
© 2003 WebMD Inc. All rights reserved.
By Jim Kling
WebMD Medical News Reviewed By Michael Smith, MD
on Friday, January 24, 2003
Jan. 24, 2003 -- In the latest development in its campaign to crack down on false advertising in the weight loss supplement industry, the FTC announced today that it is filing a complaint in federal court against Slim Down Solution and related companies. The company ran national ads for its Slim Down Solution, a product it claimed could absorb dietary fat and lead to weight loss without diet or exercise.
The product contains D-glucosamine, a natural chemical in the body. But the company's claims about its fat-busting ability are totally untrue, said Howard Beales, director of the FTC's bureau of consumer protection.
The company's ads also claimed that independent testing using government standards had shown that D-glucosamine binds to dietary fat in the human digestive system. Those claims are false, according to the FTC.
'The sad truth is the only way to lose weight is to reduce calories taken in and to increase calories [burned] ... there's nothing out there that will get around that scientific reality,' Beales tells WebMD.
Slim Down Solution was also marketed through re-sellers under labels such as Fight the Fat, and Everslim, Mini Max. FTC is seeking consumer compensation for purchase of the product. To take part, go to FTC's web site. 'Consumers should contact the FTC and file their complaint so we have them on our list... if and when we get money back to consumers, then we'll contact them,' Beales said at a news conference.
SOURCES: Howard Beales, director of the FTC's bureau of consumer protection * News release, Federal Trade Commission.
© 2003 WebMD Inc. All rights reserved.
