U.S. cracks down on fad weight-loss powders, skin creams

Posted on January 7, 2014 by Stone Hearth News


(Reuters) – Americans putting their faith in so-called miracle cures to shed unwanted pounds are bound to be disappointed, U.S. regulators said on Tuesday in announcing settlements with four companies accused of deceptively advertising such weight-loss products.

The Federal Trade Commission won agreements from L’Occitane, Inc.; Sensa Products LLC; HCG Diet Direct LLC; and Leanspa LLC.

The settlements required them to drop unsubstantiated claims from their ads and, in some cases, to return money to consumers.

The FTC also urged media outlets to scrutinize advertisements more carefully to avoid publishing potentially misleading ads, noting that some of the advertisements for the products – from food additives to skin creams – appeared in mainstream publications.

The commission provided guidance for publishers and broadcasters on how to screen weight-loss claims in advertisements.

The only slim element of the products is their chance of success, said Jessica Rich, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.

“Resolutions to lose weight are easy to make but hard to keep. And the chances of being successful just by sprinkling something on your food, rubbing cream on your thighs, or using a supplement are slim to none,” Rich said.

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