BOGUS WEIGHTLOSS CLAIMS

I LOST$350IN TWO WEEKS.

Ask me how!

AREFERENCE GUIDEFOR MEDIA ONBOGUS WEIGHT LOSSCLAIM DETECTION.

BOGUSWEIGHT LOSSCLAIMS

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WWW.FTC.GOV/REDFLAG

If the claim seems too good to be true, itprobably is.

RED FLAG

it! Help yourcompany stop bogus weight loss claimsbefore they injure consumers.

No publication or station wants toprint or air false weight lossclaims. The best way to avoidrunning false advertising is touse common sense.For more information visitwww.ftc.gov/redflag.

Misleading weightloss advertising iseverywhere, preyingon consumersdesperate for aneasy solution. Thereis no magic bulletwhen it comes tolosing weight.Claims for dietproducts thatpromise weight losswithout sacrifice oreffort are bogus andin some cases,dangerous.

You can spot false claims for weight loss in the same way you probablyalready screen ads for taste and appropriateness. The extra moment youtake to review a weight loss claim is important for several reasons. It canprotect your company from being known as one that promotes rip-offs. Andit can prevent your company from getting cheated by those who make falseclaims. There’s a good chance they won’t pay their bills. Running falseclaims also can harm your audience.The Federal Trade Commission is the government agency responsible formonitoring advertising for deception. Deceptive claims in weight lossadvertising are too common. That’s why we’re asking for your help inspotting these claims for nonprescription diet products, includingnonprescription drugs, dietary supplements, skin patches, creams, wraps,earrings, or other products that are worn on the body or rubbed into theskin. This booklet is not intended to apply to claims made for other dietproducts and services, such as prescription drugs, meal replacementproducts, low calorie foods, surgery, hypnosis, special diets, or exerciseequipment.This booklet has examples of extreme weight loss product claims. When youspot claims like these, take a moment toRED FLAGthem, and pass them onto the appropriate person in your organization. Of course, an ad may makeother deceptive claims besides the ones in this booklet, but this gives you atool toRED FLAGcommonly made false claims.For more information, visitwww.ftc.gov/redflag

We appreciate yourparticipation in this effort.

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