FTC Targets QVC for Making Unsubstantiated Claims 38639

FTC Targets QVC for Making Unsubstantiated Claims

WASHINGTONOn behalf of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), theDepartment of Justice (DOJ) filed a complaint against West Chester, Pa.-basedQVC Inc. in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania onMarch 24. The complaint alleges the home shopping channel violated a June 2000FTC order by making false or unsubstantiated claims for For Women Onlyweight-loss products, Lite Bites weight-loss products, Bee-Alive royal jellydietary supplements and Lipofactor Cellulite Target Lotion. FTC is seeking civilpenalties, consumer redress and other relief.

QVCs claims for these products are not only unsubstantiated, but forsome, scientifically impossible, said Howard Beales, director of FTCsBureau of Consumer Protection. QVC didnt keep its promise to use soundscience and solid evidence to back up the claims it makes for the healthproducts it sells.

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

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

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