Australia’s leading weight loss supplement BANNED for misleading consumers – “It’s about time it was banned for sale…”
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As a wise man (or woman, we’re not sexist here at the SDC) once said: if it seems too good to be true then chances are it probably is. One popular weight loss pill was banned for sale after Australian regulators deemed there was no medical evidence for its claims.
On Monday, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) removed one of Australia’s leading weight loss supplements, FatBlaster Max, from shelves across the country after its sponsor, Cat Media, registered the supplements with no mention of its weight loss properties.
“The TGA considers that the name ‘FatBlaster’, as used on the label for FatBlaster Max and on a website where Cat Media advertised the medicine, would be understood by consumers to represent that the medicine causes loss of body fat and therefore weight loss,” they said.
Image Credit: Healthline
“When the medicine was listed on [the register], however, Cat Media Pty Ltd had not included weight loss or body fat loss in the list of indications for the medicine. Thus, the TGA is unable to ensure that the medicine is effective for this advertised purpose.”
The creators recommended that consumers take a tablet every three hours, claiming that each pill contained the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee.
A researcher from the University of Queensland and an Accredited Practising Dietician, Dr Veronique Chachay, touched on the issue saying that it was long overdue that the ‘misleading’ product was banned from sale.
“You know, it’s a big jungle out there with marketing companies spreading misinformation. It’s a problem,” she said. “Having this being taken off the shelf is only a little drop in a big ocean of issues, but still, it’s a step.”
“People need to understand that weight loss doesn‘t happen this way. There’s no magic pill.”
A representative from FatBlaster revealed that they are disappointed by the TGA’s decision to ban the product.
“The TGA’s requirements have changed during the years that FatBlaster Max Tablets have been listed on the market and FatBlaster has taken great care to update all packaging, advertising, and claims to ensure compliance with these requirements,” the representative said.
“FatBlaster products have been used by thousands of people as part of a holistic approach to health and wellness and the listing cancellation does not impact the wider FatBlaster range.”
Image Credit: Dr Ken Harvey
Cat Media has since applied to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal in hopes to take action against TGA’s decision.
Back in October 2020, the same company was fined several times for illegally advertising FatBlaster Max as a ‘diet supplement’ before the products had been registered.
Last month, Cat Media found themselves in hot water again, getting fined $39,960 for unlawfully advertising three of its other products (which were also not yet registered) on the Chinese language section of their website.
Accredited practising dietitian and clinical senior lecturer at the University of Newcastle, Dr Trent Watson said it was “entirely appropriate the TGA is taking action against a product like this”, adding that pills with high levels of caffeine and B group vitamins don’t actually help with fat loss.
“These things give you energy, but for most people, these tablets will be superfluous to their needs. It’s like turning the sprinkler on when it’s raining,” he explained.
“It is not going to contribute to fat loss, that occurs with a better diet and increased exercise.”
Have you ever taken or heard about this product before? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
Learn more about the truth behind weight loss pills by watching the video below:
Video Credit: SciShow
On Monday, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) removed one of Australia’s leading weight loss supplements, FatBlaster Max, from shelves across the country after its sponsor, Cat Media, registered the supplements with no mention of its weight loss properties.
“The TGA considers that the name ‘FatBlaster’, as used on the label for FatBlaster Max and on a website where Cat Media advertised the medicine, would be understood by consumers to represent that the medicine causes loss of body fat and therefore weight loss,” they said.
Image Credit: Healthline
“When the medicine was listed on [the register], however, Cat Media Pty Ltd had not included weight loss or body fat loss in the list of indications for the medicine. Thus, the TGA is unable to ensure that the medicine is effective for this advertised purpose.”
The creators recommended that consumers take a tablet every three hours, claiming that each pill contained the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee.
A researcher from the University of Queensland and an Accredited Practising Dietician, Dr Veronique Chachay, touched on the issue saying that it was long overdue that the ‘misleading’ product was banned from sale.
“You know, it’s a big jungle out there with marketing companies spreading misinformation. It’s a problem,” she said. “Having this being taken off the shelf is only a little drop in a big ocean of issues, but still, it’s a step.”
“People need to understand that weight loss doesn‘t happen this way. There’s no magic pill.”
A representative from FatBlaster revealed that they are disappointed by the TGA’s decision to ban the product.
“The TGA’s requirements have changed during the years that FatBlaster Max Tablets have been listed on the market and FatBlaster has taken great care to update all packaging, advertising, and claims to ensure compliance with these requirements,” the representative said.
“FatBlaster products have been used by thousands of people as part of a holistic approach to health and wellness and the listing cancellation does not impact the wider FatBlaster range.”
Image Credit: Dr Ken Harvey
Cat Media has since applied to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal in hopes to take action against TGA’s decision.
Back in October 2020, the same company was fined several times for illegally advertising FatBlaster Max as a ‘diet supplement’ before the products had been registered.
Last month, Cat Media found themselves in hot water again, getting fined $39,960 for unlawfully advertising three of its other products (which were also not yet registered) on the Chinese language section of their website.
Accredited practising dietitian and clinical senior lecturer at the University of Newcastle, Dr Trent Watson said it was “entirely appropriate the TGA is taking action against a product like this”, adding that pills with high levels of caffeine and B group vitamins don’t actually help with fat loss.
“These things give you energy, but for most people, these tablets will be superfluous to their needs. It’s like turning the sprinkler on when it’s raining,” he explained.
“It is not going to contribute to fat loss, that occurs with a better diet and increased exercise.”
Have you ever taken or heard about this product before? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
Learn more about the truth behind weight loss pills by watching the video below:
Video Credit: SciShow
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