qanton8的部落格

The article below, which I will quote from, was written by Donna De La Cruz of the Associated Press, and the (copyrighted) article appeared in the Albuquerque Journal on Friday, January 5, 2007. The headline of the article reads: (Washington) "Forget Magic Pill, Dieters...Feds Fine Firms For Fake Claims."

Article: Now, that you've indulged in all those holiday goodies and made that resolution to shed pounds, the government says don't count on a diet pill to help. The Federal Trade Commission said Thursday (1/4/07), it was fining the marketers of four weight-loss drug companies a collective $25 million for false advertising claims. Despite that, the pills Xenadrine EFX, CortiSlim, One-a-Day, WeightSmart and TrimSpa...will remain on the shelves."

MY Two Cents: There's a sucker born everyday, and despite the government allowing these companies to sell their fraudulant products, I know there will contunue to be people out there who will throw their money away on these products.

Article: "It is resolution time again, isn't it$%:" said FTC Chairwoman Deborah Platt Majoras...'We're implementing our resolution to fight back against companies that use deceptive advertising claims.'
Some of the products marketed their claims through infomercials or celebrity endorsements. Anna Nicole Smith, for example, has endorsed TrimSpa. 'Testimonials from individuals are not a substitute for science,' Magores said. 'And that's what American's have to understand.'
The FTC investigated a variety of claims, including rapid weight loss and reduction in the risk of osteoporosis, Alzheimer's and even cancer, Majoras noted.

My Two Cents: I saw a short piece come over AOL (01/07/07) which said that there are products out on the shelf, that a person can take while they sleep and lose weight! The drugs increase metabolism while sleeping and PRESTO the weight is gone! (yeah, right)

Article: "The largest fine was levied against the marketer of Xenadrine EFX, made by New Jersey based Nutraquest, Inc., formally known as Cytodyne Technologies. The marketers will pay at least $8 million and as much as $12 million. The marketer was identified as RTC Research and Developers LLC, based in Manasquan, NJ. Majores said Xenadrine had a study showing that people who took a placebo lost more weight than those taking the pill. The FTC's investigation also found that consumer endorsers...people who appear in the before and the after pictures in many ads...lost weight by engaging in rigorous diet and exercise programs." A $12 million fine was assessed against Window Rock Health Labortories, based in Brea, Calif., the marketers of CortiSlim. Majoris said CortiSlim falsely promised that all users would see permanent and fast weight loss, and that it's TV infomercials were 'deceptively formatted' to appear as talk shows rather than ads."

My Two Cents: Why don't they show a before and after picture of the pocketbooks of the people who buy this snake-oil$%: That ought to make for some interesting viewing, don't you think$%:

Article: "The Bayer Corp., will pay a $3.2 million civil penalty to settle the claims, the FTC said. The FTC said Bayer marketed One-A-Day WeightSmart with unsubstantiated claims including that it increases metabolism. The marketers of TrimSpa, Goen Techonologies, will pay $1.5 million."

My Two Cents: I saw the television network version of this story, and the reporter said that the diet weight-loss industry is a $1.3 billion a year business and the fines levied against these companies amounted to nothing more than peanuts!

Question: Who's overseeing the FTC$%:

I lost 40 pounds in the year 2001, and I have not gained it back, and it took me 10 months to do it, too! (See: How I Lost 40 Pounds). At the start of 2007, I still weigh 170 pounds, and I did it all without purchasing any magic dust. You know how I did it$%: With the things that can't be purchased over the counter and you can't get a prescription from your doctor! My success in losing weight included...discipline; sacrifice; fighting off temptation and peer-pressure...and guess what$%: All of these qualities are inside all of us...and they're FREE!