Consumer advocate Megan Thomas has expressed skepticism towards the weight loss claims made by various supplements. In a recent podcast episode, she discussed her research findings on food supplements and the prevalent weight loss assertions within the industry.
A study published in the British Medical Journal revealed that approximately 1.5 million individuals in the UK use weight loss injections. A survey conducted by Ipsos for the Press Association found that 26% of respondents would only consider weight-loss jabs if prescribed by a doctor, while 16% would contemplate obtaining them from a pharmacy, online or offline.
Ms. Thomas criticized the unregulated nature of weight loss supplements on online platforms and in pharmacies, describing it as a “wild west” environment. She highlighted that many products make unsubstantiated claims of being fat burners or appetite suppressants without scientific backing, particularly noticeable in online marketplaces.
She pointed out that major retailers often stretch the boundaries of permissible claims, such as implying a connection between metabolism and weight loss. Ms. Thomas emphasized the need for consumer vigilance against exaggerated claims like “burns fat in five seconds” or promises of rapid weight loss within a week.
Consultant dietitian Sophie Medelin also raised concerns about the proliferation of weight loss supplements mimicking prescription medications like GLP-1 drugs for diabetes. She emphasized the lack of registered health claims for weight loss supplements and urged skepticism towards products claiming to support weight loss illegally.
Ms. Medelin highlighted the misuse of claims related to weight loss and emphasized the importance of reporting misleading advertisements to the Advertising Standards Authority. She encouraged individuals to utilize the online complaints form provided by the ASA to report any deceptive ads seen online.
For more information on reporting misleading advertisements, visit the ASA website. The full podcast featuring Megan Thomas’s insights on weight loss jabs and supplements can be accessed on the Which? website.