Avoid fraudulent weight-loss products, supplements

contributed John North, Dayton BBB President & CEO

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By John North, Contributing Writer 10:37 AM Saturday, January 14, 2012

Losing weight is a common resolution after the turn of the new year. With newfound enthusiasm, many people find themselves turning to weight-loss supplements in hopes of quickly reaching their goals.

Before committing to a weight-loss product or program, check with your physician, a qualified nutritionist and/or a registered dietitian.

Getting a safe, customized program tailored to your personal health needs will help you keep the weight off long-term.

Don’t buy into words like “breakthrough,” “secret” or “miraculous” in advertisements. These buzzwords are used to get your attention and entice you into buying fraudulent products.

Be extremely cautious when purchasing any drugs or supplements online. Medications purchased from outside the United States may not be safe and companies that don’t disclose location or contact information may be scams.

A common misconception is the FDA has reviewed all dietary supplement products available in stores or online. Legally, manufacturers don’t need FDA approval before making or selling dietary supplements, but they’re supposed to ensure product label information is truthful and not misleading.

Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case.

Be skeptical of high-pressure sales tactics and limited-time offers. A reputable company won’t trick or force you into buying products.

According to the FDA, federal regulators have found some products contain ingredients that are powerful drugs masked as “all-natural” or “herbal” supplements and carry significant health risks.

Be wary of free trials. Know when the free trial begins and ends and whether or not you have to call to cancel to avoid future charges. Be clear on how much you’ll be charged if you don’t cancel and whether or not you have to return any unused product.

As you consider weight-loss products, check out businesses prior to buying. Visit www.bbb.org or call (937) 222-5825 or (800) 776-5301.

The FDA (www.fda.gov) can also provide information on advertised diet products.

John North is president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau.

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