FTC Goes After Weight-Loss Pill Maker

WASHINGTONFTC charged a business operation with falsely claiming its weight-loss pills cause users to lose weight without dieting or exercise. The federal complaint alleges Medlab Inc., Pinnacle Holdings Inc., Metabolic Research Associates Inc., U.S.A. Health Inc., and their principal, L. Scott Holmes, located in California, violated Sections 5 and 12 of the FTC Act, by making false and unsubstantiated claims that their product causes users to lose substantial amounts of weight rapidly, including as much as 15 to 18 pounds per week and as much as 50 percent of all excess weight in just 14 days, without dieting or exercise. The agency seeks to permanently bar the defendants from further violations and to win redress for affected consumers.

According to the FTC complaint, the defendants have marketed their products across the nation since 2005 under the names Zyladex Plus, Questral AC, Questral AC Fat Killer Plus, Rapid Loss 245, and Rapid Loss Rx. Their advertising, which has included statements such as Lose up to 15 pounds a week, Not Even Total Starvation Can Slim You Down and Firm You Up This FastThis Safe!, and No Dieting, No Exercise, has appeared in Sunday newspaper supplements, including SmartSource by News America Marketing FSI Inc.