Starling Fitness: Daily writings on Fitness, Diet, and Health

Back in December of 2006, I warned you about Enviga, the purported “negative calorie” drink.

• Starling Fitness » Enviga Review on Big Fat Blog

Back then, I said:

Remember, weight loss is big business and companies think we are stupid. Don’t fall for it. Just because they slap a label on something telling you that it will make you lose weight, doesn’t mean it will or that it’s good for you.

It seems that Richard Blumenthal, the Attorney General of Connecticut, agrees with me:

Coca-Cola, Nestle and Beverage Partnership Worldwide (BPW) have been ordered to pay at least $650,000 in fines from the false claims.

• Attorney General: Attorney General Announces Settlement Resolving Weight Loss And Calorie-Burning Claims About Enviga

“The Enviga lesson is that weight loss requires sound diet and exercise, not simply a concoction of caffeine and green tea,” Blumenthal said. “Enviga’s calorie-burning claims led to credibility loss more than weight loss. Its new labels must now state clearly that calorie burning and weight loss requires proper diet and exercise.

“Enviga’s implied weight loss claims were scientifically weightless — unsupported by solid evidence. Enviga is no magic potion, capable of cutting pounds without pain.

“The larger message is that pound cutting claims are easy to swallow, but ultimately unsatisfying. Consumers deserve unadulterated truth — on food product labels as well as contents.”

The wheels of our system are SLOW. It took two and a half years for Coca-Cola to finally pay the piper. The fly-by-night scammers don’t tend to be around long enough for the government to finally put an end to them. If you ever see a product that promises to make you lose weight without diet and exercise, run away. And if you see a product that promises weight loss WITH diet and exercise, well, you can do that on your own without it. Don’t fall give them your money.

Via: Consumer Health Digest, March 19, 2009