Nutraceuticals International Faces FTC Charges

WASHINGTON—FTC filed charges against Nutraceuticals International, Stella Labs and four of the company’s officers, related to their promotion of the raw material Hoodia gordonii. According to the agency’s complaint, the defendants made false and deceptive claims about hoodia’s health effects, while also promoting its ingredient as authentic hoodia when it was not. Additionally, FTC said the company and execs provided its customers with deceptive advertising and promotional materials that were used to convince consumers to purchase finished products containing the material for weight loss and appetite suppression purposes.

Patrick J. Hurd, attorney at law with LeclairRyan and legal counsel to Nutraceuticals International, told INSIDER the company is aware of the proceedings and has opened a dialogue with FTC in hopes of achieving a quick, satisfactory resolution.