FTC Targets QVC for Making Unsubstantiated Claims

WASHINGTON--On behalf of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a complaint against West Chester, Pa.-based QVC Inc. in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on March 24. The complaint alleges the home shopping channel violated a June 2000 FTC order by making false or unsubstantiated claims for For Women Only weight-loss products, Lite Bites weight-loss products, Bee-Alive royal jelly dietary supplements and Lipofactor Cellulite Target Lotion. FTC is seeking civil penalties, consumer redress and other relief.

QVCs claims for these products are not only unsubstantiated, but for some, scientifically impossible, said Howard Beales, director of FTCs Bureau of Consumer Protection. QVC didnt keep its promise to use sound science and solid evidence to back up the claims it makes for the health products it sells.

In 2000, QVC settled with FTC over allegations that the company made unsubstantiated claims for Doylestown, Pa.-based Quigley Corp.s Cold-Eeze zinc lozenges preventing colds and alleviating allergy symptoms. The March 24 complaint alleges QVC violated the previous FTC order by making false claims that included For Women Only Zero Fat pills preventing absorption of dietary fat; Lite Bites enabling users to lose substantial amounts of weight (from 52 to 125 pounds); Bee-Alive dietary supplements significantly reducing fatigue in users with chronic or severe fatigue and increasing energy in sufferers of fibromyalgia and lupus; and Lipofactor Cellulite Target Lotion (a topical product not covered by the 2000 FTC order) eliminating or significantly reducing cellulite without diet or exercise.

According to the complaint, QVC sold these products through live broadcasts in which a product representative talked with the QVC host about the purported benefits of the featured product. The speakers frequently described how well the product had worked for them, as well as others, and urged consumers to buy the products by calling a toll-free number displayed on the screen. According to FTC, each violation carries a penalty of up to $11,000.

For more information, visit www.ftc.gov/opa/2004/03/qvc.htm.