Vitamin Shoppe Class Action Says ‘Weight Loss’ Pills Don’t Work

A class action lawsuit in California alleges that Garcinia Cambogia pills manufactured and marketed by Vitamin Shoppe for weight loss do not work as advertised.

Vitamin Shoppe falsely states that its Garcinia Cambogia is “an effective aid in ‘weight management’ and ‘appetite control’ despite that the Product’s only purportedly active ingredients, Hydroxycitric Acid (‘HCA’) and chromium are scientifically proven to be incapable of providing such weight-loss benefits,” the class action asserts.

The Vitamin Shoppe class action lawsuit cites numerous scientific studies that Garcinia Cambogia extract (also called HCA) does not help with weight loss or appetite suppression. “In fact, the only reliable scientific evidence demonstrates it is no more effective as a weight-management aid than a placebo,” according to the complaint.

For example, one double-blind study by the International Journal of Obesity found that HCA did not cause any changes in metabolism and that it was not “an effective weight loss agent.” Similarly, a scientific test in 2000 by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that even large doses of Garcinia Cambogia extract did not effect “fat and carbohydrate oxidation rates.”

This is not the only class action to challenge the purported effects of Garcinia Cambogia. A prior lawsuit was filed against BPI Sports for their pills containing HCA. That class action claims that BPI Sports and others marketed its Garcinia Cambogia pills for “weight loss” and “appetite support.”  That complaint cited the same studies, and alleged violations of California consumer protection laws.

Here, the complaint against Vitamin Shoppe claims the company made false and misleading statements that the “dietary supplement” will help people lose weight and control their appetite. In support, the complaint includes pictures of a Vitamin Shoppe pill bottle that has the phrases “weight management” and “appetite control” on the front.

Plaintiff Andew Nathan states that he lives in San Diego, and that he purchased a bottle of 180 caplets of Vitamin Shoppe’s Garcinia Cambogia Extract. Nathan says he bought those pills because of its claims of “weight management” and “appetite control.”  The complaint asserts that Nathan reasonably relied on those claims, and was injured as a result.

The Vitamin Shoppe false weight loss lawsuit requests certification of a Class of all persons who purchased the Garcinia Cambogia extract pills in California for personal or household use. The complaint alleges violations of regulations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and California consumer protection laws.

The class action seeks restitution, including actual and punitive damages. In addition, the complaint asks for an injunction requiring Vitamin Shoppe to stop its deceptive marketing, engage in a corrective advertising campaign, and issue a recall of its Garcinia Cambogia pills.

Nathan is represented by Paul K. Joseph of The Law Office of Paul K. Joseph PC.

The Vitamin Shoppe Garcinia Cambogia Class Action Lawsuit is Andrew Nathan v. Vitamin Shoppe Inc., Case No. 3:17-cv-00948, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California.

UPDATE: The Vitamin Shoppe Garcinia Cambogia class action lawsuit was dismissed for failure to state a claim on February 12, 2018.