FTC Cracking Down on Media Channels Running Deceptive Diet Ads

FTC Updates Media Guidelines on Deceptive Diet Ads

Announces $34 Million in Settlements with Diet Product Marketers

The Federal Trade Commission Tuesday announced settlements with four diet product marketers for alleged false and deceptive advertising that will see $34 million returned to consumers, and at the same time released new media guidelines, an online tutorial tabbed “Gut Check,” for helping media outlets spot and reject ads with facially false diet claims, something the FTC has been urging them to do since at least 2003.

But the FTC isn’t waiting for media outlets to find the new guidelines. According to an FCC official, it is sending letters to 75 media outlets, trade associations and others with info on how to spot bogus claims and let those outlets know about t ...