Wednesday 5th May, 2004

Class-action suit filed against Dr. Phil
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Big News Network.com Wednesday 5th May, 2004

A class-action lawsuit filed in Los Angeles claims TV talk-show host Phil McGraw used false advertising to increase sales of diet products he endorses.

Filed on behalf of three consumers, the lawsuit said the line of Shape Up! products that bear the name Dr. Phil falsely claim some of the supplements, energy bars and shakes in the line contain scientifically researched ... ingredients that can help you change your behavior and lose weight, reported Zap2it.com.

We want everyone who bought these things to get their money back, the suit's lead attorney, Henry Rossbacher, told the New York Post.

However, McGraw's lawyer, Bill Dawson, argued the host of the syndicated Dr. Phil talk show stands by the products, which he said are properly described.

Dawson also noted all of McGraw's endorsement fees go to charity.

The lawsuit was filed in late March after the non-profit Center for Science in the Public Interest criticized the weight-loss products.


http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/?sid=52b9b8edfd0ae7f4

Frankly, I hope they go after ALL the companies that make useless diet pills, and not just target these because of the name attached. "Hope in a bottle" is wrong, even with my favorite face plastered on it!

Well, if it's coming from CSPI, there's got to be an alterior motive. Plenty of diet docs have a line of supplements that go along with their books, including Atkins and the Eadeses. I wonder if there's any particular reason Dr Phil is being targeted.

Caveat emptor.
Okay, I'm old, and way bitter. But I don't believe in claims by people who are supposed to be something they are NOT.
Dr. Phil. Great guy. Snappy dresser. Counsellor supreme. But diet expert? That dog won't hunt.

They are going after him probably because they believe they have a case

Well, the concept of "deep pockets" really dictates who you sue. It's standard to go after the one with money, NOT the one who actually did what ever, if they did.

True, if they want to get rid of supplements that don't work, they'd be going after more than just ONE. Have they filed against ANY other companies? If they were serious, they would.