Posted on July 2, 2009 by Christine M. Ford

Beware Of Diet Scams

Who wouldn’t want to lose weight without dieting or exercise?  The weight loss industry makes billions of dollars each year by preying upon our desire to lose those extra pounds.  However, physicians and other health experts caution that there is no “magic bullet” when it comes to weight loss.  And many health experts recommend that safe diets require a loss of no more than 2 pounds per week.

 

Despite these recommendations, the Internet is rife with ads promising to “Lose 25 Pounds in 2 Weeks” and supposed testimonials proclaiming, “I lost 36 pounds in 1 month.”  Consumers should beware of these claims.  In fact, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) has issued guidelines for consumers warning them to “think twice before wasting money on products that make any of the following false claims”:

Lose weight without diet or exercise!

Lose weight no matter how much you eat of your favorite foods!

Lose weight permanently! Never diet again!

Block the absorption of fat, carbs, or calories!

Lose 30 pounds in 30 days!

Everybody will lose weight!

Lose weight with our miracle diet patch or cream!

 

If you or someone you know has been the victim of a diet scam, please contact us to discuss your legal options.

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Posted on May 7, 2009 by Ronald A. Ball

FDA Warns Consumers To Stop Using Hydroxycut Products

In a post published back in January 14, 2009, this blog discussed the fact that the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) had identified a number of weight loss products as containing potentially dangerous ingredients. Recent events have shown the warnings to be justified.

 

The FDA has warned consumers to immediately stop using the Hydroxycut line of weight loss products, citing reports of death due to liver failure and other serious health problems. The Hydroxycut brand includes pills, drinks and powders marketed to increase energy, burn calories and fat, and control appetite. Hydroxycut products have been widely sold at national chain stores, including GNC and Vitamin Shoppe. The FDA has received 23 reports of significant health problems in persons using Hydroxycut products ranging from jaundice and elevated liver enzymes (an indication of potential liver injury) to liver damage requiring a liver transplant. According to the FDA, symptoms of liver injury include nausea, vomiting, light-colored stools, excessive fatigue, weakness, stomach or abdominal pain, itching and loss of appetite. Other health problems associated with the use of Hydroxycut products reported to the FDA include seizures, cardiovascular disorders and a type of muscle damage known as rhabdomyolysis that can lead to other serious health problems, including kidney failure.

 

If you have purchased and used a Hydroxycut product, please contact us to discuss your legal options.  

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