Acai Berry Scams Targeted; Connecticut AG Launches Probe into Weight-Loss Claims

Bold promises of weight loss, improved health, and detoxification from products containing the acai berry should be treated with caution, especially when “free trial offers” of the products extended over the Internet require consumers to provide their credit card information, a nonprofit health watchdog group said.

Numerous web-based companies offering free trials of pills, juices, chocolates, and other items containing the Brazilian berry and promoting it as a wonder drug are actually ripping off consumers, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Thousands of consumers across the United States have complained that they were swindled by free trial offers of acai berry products after responding to Internet advertisements, websites, or blogs. Consumers say they were required to enter their credit card information on the pretense of covering shipping and handling costs. However, almost immediately, they started receiving monthly charges of $80 or $90 and were unable to stop the charges by trying to cancel the trial offer.

Some of the companies accused of engaging in the fraudulent free trial offers of acai berry products include Florida-based FWM Laboratories, Florida Advanced Wellness Research of Miami Beach, Florida, FX Supplements, and SFL Nutrition. In some cases, the companies use fake diet blogs or web sites to direct consumers to other websites offering the free trials, which turn out to be anything but free, officials said.

Wonder Drug or Ripoff?

The acai berry is billed as an antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory dietary supplement widely promoted as a natural weight-loss remedy. The berry is said to be high in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, which are key to health. However, consumer rights groups say that claims the products containing acai berry can achieve weight loss and other health benefits are unfounded.

“There’s no evidence whatsoever to suggest that acai pills will help shed pounds, flatten tummies, cleanse colon, enhance sexual desire, or perform any of the other commonly advertised functions,” the organization said in a recent press release.

Connecticut AG Launches Acai Berry Probe

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said he is now investigating numerous consumer complaints related to acai berry products. He said his office is likely to file a lawsuit against FWM Laboratories soon.

“There are no magical berries from the Brazilian rain forest that cure obesity, only painfully real credit card charges and empty weight loss promises,” Blumenthal said. “Aggressive acai berry pitches on the Internet entice countless consumers into free trials promising weight loss, energy and detoxification. These claims are based on folklore, traditional remedies and outright fabrications unproved by real scientific evidence.”

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