FTC Targets More Unsubstantiated Weight-Loss Claims
01/24/2003
WASHINGTON--The Federal Trade Commission charged West Palm Beach, Fla.-based Slim Down Solution LLC and related companies with using false and unsubstantiated claims in the marketing and advertising of Slim Down Solution, a weight-loss product, via infomercials and the Internet. According to FTC's complaint, the company used false claims in purporting the product's key ingredient, D-glucosamine, absorbed up to 20 g of dietary fat per day, leading to significant weight loss without diet or exercise.
Slim Down Solution LLC advertised and sold its product through channels such as Bravo, Comedy Central and PAX cable, in addition to its Web site (www.slimdownsolution.com). The company uses a continuity program when selling product, in which Slim Down Solution is automatically shipped to consumers whose credit cards are charged on a monthly basis.
Slim Down Solution LLC's manufacturer, Madeira Management Inc., which was also company named in the FTC suit--additionally manufactured and sold D-glucosamine products directly to consumers and other resellers under such labels as Fight the Fat, Everslim and Mini Max, and via the Web site www.polyglucosamine.com.
FTC is seeking permanent injunctive relief and consumer redress against the company and all related defendants, and has filed a stipulated preliminary injunction. Once signed by a judge, it will preliminarily enjoin the defendants from using the challenged advertising claims.
At a press conference held Jan. 24, Howard Beales, director of FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, asked media channels to be vigilant in not allowing such products to be advertised. He also reported that Slim Down Solution had so far sold $30 million worth of product.
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So in essence, this company has so far stolen $30 million dollars from consumers simply by making false claims about their worthless supplements and paying equally greedy media companies (TV, Mags, etc) for advertising space...
01/24/2003
WASHINGTON--The Federal Trade Commission charged West Palm Beach, Fla.-based Slim Down Solution LLC and related companies with using false and unsubstantiated claims in the marketing and advertising of Slim Down Solution, a weight-loss product, via infomercials and the Internet. According to FTC's complaint, the company used false claims in purporting the product's key ingredient, D-glucosamine, absorbed up to 20 g of dietary fat per day, leading to significant weight loss without diet or exercise.
Slim Down Solution LLC advertised and sold its product through channels such as Bravo, Comedy Central and PAX cable, in addition to its Web site (www.slimdownsolution.com). The company uses a continuity program when selling product, in which Slim Down Solution is automatically shipped to consumers whose credit cards are charged on a monthly basis.
Slim Down Solution LLC's manufacturer, Madeira Management Inc., which was also company named in the FTC suit--additionally manufactured and sold D-glucosamine products directly to consumers and other resellers under such labels as Fight the Fat, Everslim and Mini Max, and via the Web site www.polyglucosamine.com.
FTC is seeking permanent injunctive relief and consumer redress against the company and all related defendants, and has filed a stipulated preliminary injunction. Once signed by a judge, it will preliminarily enjoin the defendants from using the challenged advertising claims.
At a press conference held Jan. 24, Howard Beales, director of FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, asked media channels to be vigilant in not allowing such products to be advertised. He also reported that Slim Down Solution had so far sold $30 million worth of product.
**********************************************
So in essence, this company has so far stolen $30 million dollars from consumers simply by making false claims about their worthless supplements and paying equally greedy media companies (TV, Mags, etc) for advertising space...