Marketers of popular weight-loss drugs misled consumers, FTC saysAssociated Press
WASHINGTON - The Federal Trade Commission on Thursday fined the marketers of four weight loss pills $25 million for making false advertising claims ranging from rapid weight loss to reducing the risk of cancer.
The FTC investigated a variety of claims made — including rapid weight loss and reduction in the risk of osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s and even cancer, Majoras noted. Fines were levied against marketers of Xenadrine EFX, One A Day Weight Smart, CortiSlim and TrimSpa.
Placebo more effective - Majoras cautioned the estimated 70 million Americans trying to lose weight not to turn to pills.“You’re not going to find weight loss in a bottle of pills,” she said.
She said the FTC investigation found that the marketers of Xenadrine had a study that said those who took a placebo actually lost more weight than those taking the pill.
“They not only didn’t have studies to support the claim, they actually had a study that went the other way,” she said. Some of the products marketed their claims through infomercials or celebrity endorsements. Anna Nicole Smith, for example, has endorsed TrimSpa. “Testimonials from individuals are not a substitute for science,” Majoras said. “And that’s what Americans need to understand.” See:http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16467558/wid/11915773?GT1=8921
No comments:
Post a Comment