NAD Finds OKappa Slim Claims Lacking

NEW YORKThe National Advertising Review Council (NARC), part of the Council of Better Business Bureaus (BBB) National Advertising Division (NAD) recommended Vancouver, British Columbia-based Harson Holdings discontinue several current advertising claims for its OKappa Slim dietary supplement.

NAD examined certain claims appearing in print and Internet advertising for the weight-loss dietary supplement, primarily focused on losing large amounts of weight in a short amount of time with no exercise or diet restrictions. Further, the company promoted the product as containing a blend of plants that reverse the effect of calories" with calories transformed into energy, causing the fastest loss of weight ever seen with a 100% natural treatment." It also guaranteed no re-gain of weight, as the product would change a persons metabolism.

The advertiser initially declined to participate in the NAD review process; NAD then referred the advertising to FTC for review. At that time, the advertiser reconsidered its position and NAD re-opened its inquiry. In its response, the advertiser stated the product contains several natural ingredientsincluding garcinia, green tea, guarana, dandelion and uva ursiit said have been shown in human and animal studies to suppress appetite. It claimed it was well-established that if appetite is suppressed, there is reduced food intake with natural weight loss without the need to follow a diet.

NAD disagreed with Harsons reasoning, determining only Garcinia cambogia had been studied for its appetite suppressant ability; the other ingredients have been studied as either metabolism boosters or diuretics. In addition, NAD stated the dosage of garcinia in the product was insufficient to support even a qualified appetite suppression claim. The amounts of green tea and guarana were also determined to be too low to support even limited ingredient claims; no studies were found to support any claims for dandelion or uva ursi in this formulation.

In its advertisers statement, Harson said the company was disappointed that NAD did not agree that the research cited was adequate to support the specific weight-loss claims in the advertising. Because Harson believes in the self-regulatory system, it will follow NADs decision and modify its future advertising accordingly."