Thai couple faces legal action over weight loss supplement

A prominent figure has revealed more details about a controversial weight loss supplement promoted by a celebrity couple, alleging exaggerated claims and potential legal violations. He pledged to continue legal action until the product is withdrawn from the market.

At the Crime Suppression Division’s complaint centre, Achariya Ruangrattanapong, President of the Crime Victims Assistance Club, provided further information to the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) investigators. This was about the celebrity couple’s online promotion of a weight loss supplement, which he claims exaggerates its benefits and violates the Food and Drug Act.

“I had to provide additional information to the investigators after listening to the couple’s press conference and their lawyer. There were about three key points that were clear, and from their behaviour, there was no sense of responsibility.”

Achariya mentioned that the couple denied the supplement contained sibutramine, an illegal substance.

The couple’s lawyer submitted a document to the Deputy Minister of Public Health yesterday. They also provided samples of the product, including counterfeit versions, to the Department of Medical Sciences for testing for sibutramine.

“The Ministry of Public Health should not be involved in this matter. It should be the responsibility of the police to investigate this supplement brand.”

Achariya added that there had been attempts to mediate and apologise but he rejected these offers due to accusations that he was hired to defame the product.

“Everything I do is for the sake of justice. I don’t want anyone to fall victim to these dangerous supplements.”

Investigators have summoned the factory owner responsible for producing the supplement to acknowledge the charges. The company’s tax compliance will also be scrutinised.

Regardless of the test results, Achariya is determined to pursue legal action against the product until it is no longer sold or promoted with false claims, reported KhaoSod.

“Yesterday, the couple’s lawyer submitted a document to the Deputy Minister of Public Health. They also provided samples of the product, including counterfeit versions, to the Department of Medical Sciences for testing for sibutramine.

“Everything I do is for the sake of justice. I don’t want anyone to fall victim to these dangerous supplements.”

ORIGINAL STORY: Celebrity diet pill under fire for false weight-loss claims

A celebrity couple’s weight loss supplement, Genius, has come under scrutiny for allegedly exaggerated claims. At 10am this morning, Atchariya Ruangrattanapong, head of the Crime Victims Assistance Club, filed a complaint with the Central Investigation Bureau, questioning the product’s advertised benefits.

Atchariya alleges the supplement, owned by the unnamed celebrity duo, boasts unrealistic weight loss capabilities, claiming users can lose over 10 kilogrammes if taken consistently for two months. This assertion, he argues, is unlikely given the ingredients listed on the packaging, potentially violating Sections 40 and 41 of the Food Act, which pertain to false advertising.

Previously having tried the product himself, Atchariya experienced side effects such as insomnia and excessive thirst, leading him to question the true contents of the supplement. Consequently, he decided to submit a sample to the police for examination by the Department of Scientific Services, to ensure consumer safety.

Furthermore, Atchariya claims to have evidence suggesting that the celebrities’ weight loss is due to fat-dissolving injections at a clinic in the Lat Phrao area, rather than their product’s efficacy.

This casts doubt on the supplement’s ability to deliver on its weight loss promise.

Investigators are currently reviewing Atchariya’s testimony and the evidence provided, which will be used to determine the next steps in the investigation, reported Khaosod.

This development has stirred concern among consumers who rely on celebrity endorsements for health products, highlighting the importance of regulatory oversight in the dietary supplement market. The incident underscores the potential risks of unverified weight loss claims and the need for stringent checks to protect public health and trust.