Online Tool Might Help Diet Supplement Advertisers Avoid FTC Fines

A trade association that represents diet supplement companies has developed a Web-based tool that members can use to avoid running afoul of FTC rules on weight loss and other spurious ad claims. Bogus claims made by weight loss supplement makers generate the highest settlement costs in the dietary supplement and functional food category, according to the Council for Responsible Nutrition, which developed the quarterly-updated online tool. Members can use the tool to view all available FTC advertising enforcement actions related to dietary supplements and functional foods since 2003. Bogus weight loss claims generated the highest settlement costs at $438.4 million, followed by immunity claims ($47.2 million) and impermissible cancer claims ($5 million).