Companies that market over-the-counter hcg weight loss products have recently been hit by a joint legal action by the FDA and FTC...
A joint action has been taken by the U.S Food And Drug Administration and Federal Trade Commission to combat the production of weight loss products containing the human chorionic gonadothropin (HCG).
HCG as is well-known is an hormone that is found and produced in human placenta. It is also found in the urine of pregnant women.
This hormone is one of the hormones that regulates metabolism in pregnant women.
HCG can also be used in the management and treatment of obesity. This was discovered by a british physician, Dr. ATW Simeons.
HCG has been approved by FDA as a prescription that can be used and injected as a treatment for some cases of female infertility and other medical conditions.
The FDA claims that the hcg weight loss products labelled as " HOMEOPATHIC" by the companies who produce them has recommended that the products be used with a low caloric diet. This according to FDA, does not increase weight loss from that resulting from the recommended caloric restriction. This restriction in caloric intake may expose consumers to health risks such as gall stones formation, electrolyte imbalance and heart problems.
In a post on the FDA site, the following excerpt is a reinforcement on this issue:
" The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) today issued seven Warning Letters to companies marketing over-the counter (OTC) HCG products that are label ed as “homeopathic”
for weight loss.
Human Chorionic Gonadothropin......
(HCG) is a hormone produced by the human placenta and found in the urine of pregnant women. HCG is FDA-approved as an injectable prescription drug for the treatment of some cases of female infertility and other medical
conditions.
The letters warn the companies
that they are violating federal law by selling drugs that have not been approved, and by making unsupported claims for the substances. There are no FDA-approved HCG drug products for weight loss. "
Courtesy-
www.fda.gov This is in no way misleading as some might thought. HCG is not an harmful drug for the treatment of obesity. Has mentioned before, in this post, the fda has approved hcg as an injectable prescription drug.
The problem here is the way those companies has presented it.
" The labelling for the *homeopathic* HCG products states that each product should be taken with a very low caloric diet."
Taken from the fda website.
The approach here is that consumers should be careful with the products they buy online. Thorough review or research should be done before setting to buy a product online.
Commenting on the issue, Isila Bernstein, acting director of the office of compliance in FDA's center for drug evaluation and research, says:
" These hcg products marketed over-the-counter are unproven to help with weight loss and are potentially dangerous even if taken as directed.
And a way a low calory diet should only be used is under proper medical supervision."
" Deceptive advertising about weight loss products is one of the most prevalent types of fraud." Said David Vladeck, director of the ftc's bureau of consumer protection. " Any advertiser who makes health claims is required by federal law to back them up with competent and reliable scientific, so consumers have the accurate information they need to make good decisions."
Wrapping it up, consider researching or reviewing whatever product you wish to buy online before buying. Be wise in your decision so you will not be duped by online criminals who have set trap for you, so you can open your wallet.
Before buying a weight loss product from a company, make sure you check out the company selling history. You should also consider checking out reviews about the company if there is any.
Thank you for your time.
