Weight-Loss-Products Sellers to Pay for False Ads

FTC metes out fines.

Universal Nutrition Corp.; MTM Marketing & Consulting Inc.; Robert Michnal, owner of both companies; and Mark Nutritionals Inc. will pay a total of $2 million to settle false-advertising allegations pertaining to their weight-loss supplements. Michnal and his companies will pay $1 million in consumer redress. San Antonio, Texas-based Mark Nutritionals will also pay $1 million.

All of the companies had advertisements claiming that users if their products would lose weight without diet or exercise, according to a Dec. 9 announcement by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

The FTC has also filed a temporary restraining order against Beauty Visions Worldwide, a Canadian seller of weight-loss patches.