Recent months have witnessed the dietary supplement industry become the target of relentless scrutiny. The influx of fraudulent claims, combined with the presence of undisclosed ingredients, has forced consumers to question the practices of dietary supplement manufacturers. Contributing to the already ambiguous situation, are several firms boasting the revolutionary weight loss benefits of acai pills. Subsequently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is currently in the process of cracking down on those companies who claim that acai is a miracle weight loss ingredient.
The acai berry is small, reddish fruit that is derived from the acai palm tree indigenous to Central and South America. Research on this alleged super fruit has focused on its possible antioxidant applications. Theoretically, this mechanism of action may help prevent diseases caused by oxidative stress such as heart disease and cancer. However, acai berries are highly touted by marketers who say it is one of the elite super foods with anti-aging and weight loss properties.
As research suggests that the acai berry is beneficial to a healthy diet, more clinical data is required to fully understand its potential. While acai has been touted as a revolutionary weight loss ingredient, few studies confirm these findings. In fact, many experts believe that acai does not help you lose weight.
Unfortunately, allegations in a recent lawsuit suggest that dietary supplement manufacturers purposefully mislead consumers about the benefits of the acai berry. In a recent move, the FTC has begun to file lawsuits against firms that allegedly hired outside parties to create fake news sites promoting the false benefits of their products. Their most recent case, filed against Central Coast Nutraceuticals, requested that the company pay upwards of $1.5 million to the consumers who were mislead. Subsequently, Central Coast has been subjected to a temporary moratorium, preventing them from making further weight loss claims until two well established clinical trials suggest otherwise.
The complaint filed by the FTC claimed that two individuals, along with five corresponding companies, intentionally mislead consumers by promising that their products would “enable rapid weight loss in a fiercely short time period, without any unwanted side effects.” In doing so, the FTC believes the defendants violated the Federal Trade Commission Act. Subsequently, these claims were not supported by any means or substantial evidence. Along with faulty claims, the defendants were also accused of citing phony endorsements by popular celebrities.
According to Dr. Alex Schauss, an expert in the field of acai berry applications, it was “about time” that the FTC decided to crack down on the faulty claims issued by dietary supplement manufacturers. Schauss added: “it’s incredibely frustrating and really quie intolerable that they are making these fraudulent claims about losing weight when there is such strong science behind acai’s genuine benefits. It’s distracting attention from the really exciting research on this extraordinary antioxidant.”
Do I Have an Acai Berry Lawsuit?
The trial lawyers at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP have decades of experience navigating through complex legislative and regulatory issues and litigating high stakes cases all over the nation. Our law firm focuses on the representation of plaintiffs in acai berry lawsuits. We are currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of fraudulent acai berry marketing, you may be entitled to financial compensation. For a free case review, please click the link below or call toll free 24 hrs/day 1-800-773-0849.