US Targets Acai Berry Weight Loss Ads

The US Federal Trade Commission filed lawsuits against 10 companies, for promoting fake endorsements from news sites used to market acai berry weight loss products.

The US Federal Trade Commission said it had asked federal courts to freeze the assets of 10 operations using "allegedly deceptive" tactics such as fake news websites to market their products.

Acai Berry - Does It Really Work?
Although acai berry is a nutritious food, it is the hype that is wrongly making it a magic fruit.

The websites are designed to appear as if they are testimonials from legitimate newsgathering organizations.

"But in reality the sites are simply advertisements aimed at deceptively enticing consumers to buy the featured acai berry weight-loss products," the FTC said.

"Almost everything about these sites is fake," David Vladeck, director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, said in a statement.

Weight Loss Drugs (Diet Pills)
Diet pills are medicines that help control or reduce weight. Diet pills are otherwise know as weight loss drugs or anti-obesity medications.

"The weight loss results, the so-called investigations, the reporters, the consumer testimonials, and the attempt to portray an objective, journalistic endeavor," Vladeck said.

The sites often misleadingly include the names and logos of media outlets such as ABC, Fox News, CBS, CNN, USA Today, and Consumer Reports.

How to Lose Weight?
Slide show which explains obesity causes and tips on how to lose weight. Exercising before breakfast is most effective for weight loss.

A photograph of photogenic French television presenter Melissa Theuriau is also frequently used to illustrate the sites although she has no affiliation with any of them.

The FTC said it has received numerous complaints from consumers who spent up to $100 for weight loss products after having been deceived by the sites.

Quiz on Obesity

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It said it will ask the courts to force the the companies to provide refunds to consumers who purchased the supplements and other products.

The FTC said the defendants have likely received more than $10 million in ill-gotten commissions through the sites.

Source-AFP