FTC Staff Urge MLMs Not to Rely on Industry Income Disclosure Guidance
Advisory opinion letter raises “serious concerns” with self-reg group’s guidance.
In February 2014, a federal judge dismissed a class-action lawsuit against Whole Body Research, makers of a dietary supplement, Garcinia Cambogia, because plaintiff decided to dismiss the lawsuit. The complaint, which was originally filed in 2013, alleged that, among other things, the company represented that the supplement is recommended by an independent reporting and ratings service entitled “Consumer’s Guides” when, in reality, the same person owns both the “Consumer Guides” and the company that provides the dietary supplements. In addition, plaintiffs claimed that the company advertises the supplement as providing health benefits – such as burning fat and assisting with weight loss – without clinical evidence to support such claims. It cannot be determined why plaintiff dismissed the lawsuit. (Hoffman et al v. Clemens, Altern Marketing, LLC, and Whole Body Research, LLC, Case No. 13-cv-07924, D. N.J.).
For more information about other class-action lawsuits regarding dietary supplements and TINA.org’s coverage of the issue, click here.
Advisory opinion letter raises “serious concerns” with self-reg group’s guidance.
Emily Jankowski and Grace Tatter, WBUR | NPR
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