Gencor Pacific Files Suit over Caralluma Product

CHICAGO—Gencor Pacific Inc. filed suit in Federal District Court, Northern District of Illinois, against Federal Laboratories Corp. and Nature’s Thyme LLC, alleging false advertising, unfair competition, copyright infringement and unjust enrichment. The company is seeking an injunction, corrective advertising, damages, redress for unfair competition and attorney’s fees. Gencor, which is headquartered in Austin, Texas, supplies Slimaluma™, a patented extract of Caralluma fimbriata for appetite suppression. The company uses a patented extraction process for its ingredient and has published several reports on the efficacy and safety of its ingredient. According to Gencor, the companies cited are advertising and selling non-extract Caralluma powder, using Slimaluma research studies. Rakesh Amin from Amin Hallihan LLC, Gencor’s legal representative, said Gencor also believes Federal Labs employees have disparaged Gencor’s products to customers.

Karen Gibbs, president of Nature’s Thyme, refuted the allegations, noting the company has not infringed on any patent rights and considers the lawsuit without merit; she added Nature’s Thyme will defend its reputation for quality and integrity.