Kid's Diet Aid Maker Settles FTC Charges

WASHINGTON--Vineet K. Chhabra (aka Vincent K. Chhabra) and his two Weston, Fla.-based companies--Dynamic Health of Florida LLC and Chhabra Group LLC--settled charges from a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) complaint alleging unsubstantiated claims were made in advertising both a children's weight loss product and a women's sexual aid. Under terms of the settlement, Chhabra and his companies are permitted to use only claims supported by competent and reliable scientific evidence for their Pedia Loss and Fabulously Feminine products, as well as any other food or dietary supplement. The deal also includes guidelines on future FTC monitoring of the defendants' agreement compliance. While there was no fine reported as a part of this settlement, any and each violation of this consent agreement and ensuing order may result in an $11,000 penalty.

FTC was at odds over ads claiming Pedia Loss causes weight loss, appetite suppression, fat burning or carbohydrate absorption in children aged 6 and older. Upon FTC request, Chhabra and his companies failed to provide support for these claims. Also lacking scientific support were advertising claims Fabulously Feminine could increase a woman's libido, sexual desire and sexual satisfaction, which the defendants had falsely assured was backed by clinical testing.

The two other individual defendants, Jonathan Barash and DBS Laboratories LLC, previously settled their FTC charges.