The FTC has successfully brought the first-ever case against a supplement company that allegedly boosted its Amazon ratings through a third-party firm that crafts fake “verified” reviews.
According to the settlement, Cure Encapsulations sold a supplement on Amazon touted as an “appetite-suppressing, fat-blocking, weight-loss pill.”
One of the ingredients in the supplement is an Indonesian plant called garcinia cambogia that has been linked to acute liver failure.
“People rely on reviews when they’re shopping online. When a company buys fake reviews to inflate its Amazon ratings, it hurts both shoppers and companies that play by the rules,” said Andrew Smith, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, in a statement.
The FTC claims the company’s founder turned to amazonverifiedreviews.com — one of the hundreds of websites that writes fake five-star reviews for a fee.
Cure Encapsulations must now inform Amazon that it paid for reviews and must notify all customers who purchased the so-called weight-loss supplement.
The FTC is imposing a $12.8-million fine, with only $50,000 due and the remainder used as a way to enforce the judgement.
WATCH: Tips from a marketing expert about how to spot fake reviews
Research shows that 91 per cent of consumers rely on online reviews for their purchases, and it takes about 10 reviews before a consumer can start trusting a business or product.
But a lot of those reviews are unreliable, and experts say it can put consumers at risk.
Fakespot, a website that identifies fake reviews, estimates 30 per cent of product reviews on Amazon are inauthentic.
Recognizing this is a widespread problem, Amazon has taken the matter into its own hands. As an Amazon spokesperson told TechCrunch, the company has filed suits against more than 1,000 defendants for “review abuse” since 2015. They’ve also sued the third-party sites that write them.
Ottawa, ON / April 7, 2014 / Pure Garcinia Cambogia extract is steadily becoming the world’s most popular weight loss supplement. Amongst the excitement people forget to ask themselves, “is it safe and what are the side effects?”
A new report into the safety and performance of Garcinia Cambogia extract published by the WWLR, shows that unless the Garcinia Cambogia ingested is “of superior quality,” there is a likely chance of side effects.
“Many Garcinia Cambogia products sold are producing side effects; however, we did see products that showed no sings of side effects, and also succeeded in providing solid weight loss results,” said Mark Nolan of the WWLR. “Much of the results depended on the authenticity of the brand used.”
“Sourcing the right brand of Garcinia Cambogia extract is the majority of the battle in achieving safe weight loss, with this product.” Mark Nolan of WWLR.
– The major concern with the use of some Garcinia Cambogia products is the mixtures used, not Garcinia Cambogia extract itself. Pure Garcinia Cambogia showed no side effects, and side effects only occurred in inferior unnatural Garcinia Cambogia extract products.
– Always use products backed by clinical human trails to assure no side effects, and to achieve weight loss.
“After reviews of the the trials, we noticed a correlation between the authentic pure Garcinia Cambogia supplements, and weight loss.” Mark Nolan comments on higher quality Garcinia Cambogia not having side effects, but it also provided superb weight loss, as the unhealthily mixed products did not.
What they Found
– 78% of Garcinia Cambogia extract products on the market contained harmful ingredients leading to side effects, and no weight loss.
– Only 14% of Garcinia cambogia dietary supplements provided weight loss, without side effects.
Another function of Garcinia Cambogia extract that was found, is garcinia increased the number Islet and Beta cells in the pancreas; therefore, more insulin is produced. Over a course of 3 months at one capsule per day, Garcinia Cambogia may help prevent diabetes, but more research is needed.
Why fillers? Easier, faster, and cheaper production. Other additives are also used for colorants and coatings, not only in dietary supplements like Garcinia Cambogia Extract, but many different kinds of Vitamins.
Things to Look For when purchasing Garcinia Cambogia Extract
– The Product is Made in the U.S.A – Must contain 60% HCA – All Natural Ingredients. – No toxic additives or fillers on product’s label. – Is a proven product. – High Potency Extraction Process – The Garcinia Cambogia Extract is Backed by Human Clinical Trails!
– With chemical and physical interactions occurring within a supplement, it is difficult to determine the exact efficiency of the product remaining.
– Manufactures are not required to list the exact amount of fillers within the supplement; therefore it is difficult to determine the amount of non-medicinal ingredients versus medicinal ingredients used. Always use caution when putting anything in your body, and purchase only verified products.
Other Findings
One study from Current Therapeutic research Inc, shows that a 1600 mg dose of Garcinia Cambogia Extract containing 60% HCA daily, provided weight loss between 7.3 – 8.1 pounds over a 12 week period. (1)
Another study by the WWLR presented, showed a 4.7% bodyweight reduction (BMI) in 6.5 weeks. (2)
Women’s Weight Loss, is a top-tier provider of natural health product information through clinical research. Research is conducted to aid and promote healthy lifestyles, weight loss, and high quality products to consumers. Women’s Weight Loss Reviews uses highly efficient research methods to gain accurate results on many dieting products without bias, and will only publish results that include safe natural ingredients, in order to assure optimum health and safety. Woman’s Weight Loss Review is dedicated to providing its viewers quality information that is geared towards living longer, healthier, and happier lives. The primary purpose of this release is to help consumers avoid poor quality products online, while shedding light on quality brands leading to informed buying decisions, and creating a better buying experience.
SeanRuad.com / January 07, 2014 / ACCESSWIRE / The USA made nutritional supplement Garcinia Cambogia Select has been named the Best Garcinia Cambogia product by SeanRuad.com, a leading international destination for news and product information about specialty nutritional supplements. Click here for more information about Garcinia Cambogia Select http://www.seanruad.com/garcinia-cambogia/
Since early 2013, nutritional supplements containing garcinia cambogia extract have been a popular nutritional supplement for their purported potential to help people lose weight. The odd sounding name refers to a fruit better known as tamarind. The substance gained popularity as a weight loss aid after being touted by a celebrity doctor who hosts a TV show in the United States along with a physician guest who recommended it as a substance that burns fat and suppresses appetite. Despite limited scientific evidence supporting those claims, products containing garcinia cambogia became top selling nutritional supplements in the United States and eventually in throughout the world. For information about garcinia cambogia side effects go to SeanRaud.com
In addition to garcinia supplements, supplements made from green coffee bean extracts are another popular nutritional product touted as an effective weight loss aid. Green coffee extract is believed to aid with weight loss by helping control high blood sugar as a result of an ingredient contained in raw coffee beans called chlorogenic acid. In the case of garcinia supplements, the active ingredient is thought to be hydroxycitric acid. Taken together, garcinia cambogia extracts and green coffee extracts presently dominate the market for natural weight loss helpers. The celebrity doctor with the popular TV show in the US enthusiastically recommended both substances for weight loss. Obesity and excess weight are huge health issues in the West thought by many medical experts to either be a major contributor to a variety of health problems and diseases, and by some to be a significant side effect of metabolic issues stemming from poor diet and/or excess amounts of sugar in processed foods, among other dietary issues. Regardless of the precise causes, millions of people struggle with excess weight and the problem seems to get worse every year.
The nutritional supplement selected by SeanRuad.com as the best value brand of garcinia cambogia is Garcinia Cambogia Select. Garcinia Cambogia Select is made in the USA and contains 50% hydroxycitric acid (or HCA) making it one of the most potent garcinia products available. Regarding dosage, the manufacturer recommended garcinia cambogia dose is three (3) capsules daily taken 30 minutes prior to each primary meal with an 8 ounce glass of water. The serving size is one (1) capsule so each bottle containing 90 capsules is a 1-month supply. Garcinia Cambogia Select is 100% natural. Consumers are assured they are buying a product with the quality standards of a USA made product and Garcinia Cambogia Select is backed by a 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee.
There are no fillers, preservatives, artificial ingredients or additives in Garcinia Cambogia Select. The ingredients label for Garcinia Cambogia Select is on display at SeanRuad.com
SeanRuad.com now has a special quantity discount offer on Garcinia Cambogia Select. Customers ordering 3 bottles (which is a 3-month supply) get an additional 3 bottles free. Each bottles contains 90 capsules, which is a one-month supply.
Garcinia Pure ships worldwide to hundreds of countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Great Britain, Denmark, The Netherlands and many more.
About SeanRuad.com SeanRuad.com is based in New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA and provides health and nutrition news and features. SeanRuad.com also offers discounted shopping for premium specialty nutritional supplements and products for fitness, weight loss, and healthy living. SeanRuad.com advises consumers that the information it offers is for informational purposes and should not be used as medical advice and, to always consult with a licensed physician or pharmacist before beginning any supplementation program, especially for persons with underlying medical conditions, or who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
