FTC sues QVC over weight-loss products

<br>WASHINGTON (AP) _ Federal regulators sued the QVC home shopping network on Wednesday, charging the channel with making deceptive claims about weight-loss products it sold on the air. <br><br>The complaint

Wednesday, March 24th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Federal regulators sued the QVC home shopping network on Wednesday, charging the channel with making deceptive claims about weight-loss products it sold on the air.

The complaint from the Federal Trade Commission accused QVC of falsely advertising ``For Women Only'' weight-loss products such as zero-fat and zero-carb pills. It also alleged unsubstantiated claims about ``fat fighting bars'' and other Lite Bite products, as well as Bee-Alive dietary supplements.

``We're seeking substantial civil penalties in the millions of dollars,'' said Joni Lupovitz, assistant director for enforcement at the FTC's bureau of consumer protection.

The products were advertised on the network beginning in the summer of 2000 and continuing into 2003, the agency said.

The FTC says QVC violated a June 2000 order that barred the company from making false or unsubstantiated claims about dietary supplements.

Calls seeking comment from the Pennsylvania-based QVC were not immediately returned.