FTC Reminds Consumers of Refunds in Iovate Settlement

WASHINGTON The FTC is reminding consumers they may be eligible for a refund under a $5.5 million settlement the agency reached with Iovate Health Sciences U.S.A. more than two years ago.

Eligible consumers include individuals who purchased Accelis, nanoSLIM, Cold MD, Germ MD or Allergy MD between January 2006 and July 2010.

In a press release Monday, FTC explained consumers have until April 1, 2013 to apply for a refund by filing a claim form online or calling 1-877-576-9978 to request a form in the mail. However, consumers who previously received a refund from a California class action settlement involving Cold MD are not eligible to receive a second payment.

In 2010, FTC charged Iovate and two affiliated Canadian companies with deceptively advertising that supplements could help individuals lose weight or treat and prevent allergies, colds and the flu. In July 2010, the agency noted Iovate agreed to pay $5.5 million to settle charges under a resolution that also required the company to stop making deceptive health claims about its products.

Iovate recently agreed to settle a class action lawsuit involving its Hydroxycut products following years of litigation.