Feds Sue Marketers Over Ads for Diet Pill

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Federal regulators sued the marketers of a widely advertised dietary supplement, alleging they lied about CortiSlim's ability to help people lose weight. <br/><br/>The Federal Trade

Thursday, October 7th 2004, 10:52 am

By: News On 6

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Federal regulators sued the marketers of a widely advertised dietary supplement, alleging they lied about CortiSlim's ability to help people lose weight.

The Federal Trade Commission alleged in the lawsuit that Brea-based Window Rock Enterprises Inc. and Infinity Advertising Inc. of Anaheim made ``deceptive efficacy claims'' about CortiSlim in broadcast and print ads, infomercials and on Web sites.

The suit, filed Sept. 30 in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, seeks an unspecified amount of money to be refunded to customers who bought the pills.

The FDA sent Window Rock a warning last month that unsubstantiated claims that CortiSlim ``eliminates cravings'' and ``controls appetite'' violated federal law.

The FTC suit also alleges the companies made false claims about CortiStress, a product no longer on the market, that purported to cut the risk of obesity, cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer's disease.

Window Rock is working with regulators to resolve issues and to stop any ``offensive advertising,'' said Marc Ullman, an attorney for the firm.

He said the marketing claims were the result of overenthusiasm regarding the new product.

``Quickly resolving these issues is the best course of action that ensures our ability to continue marketing and distributing products that benefit the health of the American public,'' Window Rock President Stephen Cheng said in a statement.

Infinity Advertising has an unlisted phone number and could not be reached for comment.

CortiSlim ads claimed that virtually anyone using the pill would drop 10 to 50 pounds _ losing as many as four to 10 pounds a week, the lawsuit states. Ads also boasted that the supplement would trim abdominal and thigh fat, according to the suit.

The supplement sells for $49.99 for a one-month supply.