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Intermediaries and weight-loss scams

Chris Hoofnagle, professor of law in residence | March 4, 2010

The Federal Trade Commission found in 2002 that: The use of false or misleading claims in weight-loss advertising is rampant. Nearly 40% of the ads in our sample made at least one representation that almost certainly is false and 55% of the ads made at least one representation that is very likely to be false … Continue reading »

One cure for miracle claims: Jail

Joanne Ikeda, co-founder, Center for Weight and Health | March 3, 2010

In the late 1990’s a full page ad for “SlimAmerica” appeared in the Oakland Tribune.  The ad claimed that major Universities had been involved in the development of a new, incredibly effective weight loss drug that caused “the fat to melt off your body like an ice cube melts on a sweltering hot August day.”   … Continue reading »