Two Companies Settle with FTC in Consumer Protection Cases Involving False Claims of Weight Loss with Caffeine Underwear
The Federal Trade Commission was created in 1914 with the Federal Trade Commission Act to protect antitrust legislation, and ensure that consumers were protected from false advertising claims, and unfair and deceptive commercial practices. A century later, the agency has settled a consumer protection suit against two companies which made the bizarre claim that caffeine woven into underwear could help the wearer get rid of cellulite and lose weight.
The two companies, Wacoal America and Norm Thompson Outfitters, were accused of deceptive advertising in which they claimed that caffeine-impregnated underwear, bras, and girdles could help reduce overall body size by reducing cellulite and taking off inches in “problem areas” like hips and thighs.
For example, the Norm Thompson company claimed their caffeine underwear could “reduce the size of your hips by up to 2.1 inches and your thighs by up to one inch, and would eliminate or reduce cellulite and that scientific tests proved those results.”
Wacoal America made the claim, cited in the consumer protection charges, that their iPants used a blend of caffeine, vitamin E, and “microfibers with embedded microcapsules containing caffeine to promote fat destruction” and eliminate cellulite.
“If someone says you can lose weight by wearing the clothes they are selling, steer clear,” Jessica Rich, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said in a statement Monday. “The best approach is tried and true: diet and exercise.”
The FTC settled the consumer protection suit for $1.5 million, which will reportedly go to customers of the product who reported that it failed to work as advertised. There is no medical basis to claim that caffeine breaks down fat.
Class Actions for Consumer Protection
Class actions and consumer protection cases can stem from an almost unlimited variety of misconduct or defective products.
Class action and consumer protection lawsuits can include:
- a case against the managed care industry on behalf of physicians for systematically undercutting physician claims for payment for seeing patients;
- race-based life insurance cases against life insurance companies for charging African Americans higher rates for industrial life insurance;
- consumer cases included suing finance companies for adding credit life insurance on to consumer loans;
- a predatory lending case against the title loan industry;
- a predatory lending case against the mortgage industry for systematically steering clients into subprime lending;
- false claims in advertising, including medical claims or health benefits.
The Strom Law Firm Advocates for Consumer Protection Through Class Action Lawsuits
Founded in 1996 by former United States Attorney and assistant solicitor, Pete Strom, the Strom Law Firm, LLC aggressively pursues class action cases. The class action lawyers at the Strom Law Firm enjoy a distinct statewide and national reputation for excellence in the area of consumer protection litigation and class action lawsuits.
The class action lawyers at the Strom Law Firm enjoy a distinct statewide and national reputation for excellence in the area of consumer protection litigation and class action lawsuits. Contact the attorneys at the Strom Law Firm today for a free, confidential consultation to discuss the facts of your potential class action lawsuit. 803.252.4800
