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Warning over internet sellers of herbal slimming products

Aberdeen City Council Trading Standards has warned residents to be wary of internet sellers of herbal remedies promising an easy route to weight loss.

The city council’s Trading Standards team have received an influx of complaints from consumers, who have been duped into paying £75 per month for pills based on Acai berries. Consumers have reported falling foul of internet sites where they thought they were subscribing to a free slimming pill trial only to discover they were tied into expensive contracts.

Typically, Trading Standards have found consumers respond to a pop-up advert on their computer screen while browsing an unrelated web page. The claims for weight loss are unverifiable, but consumers have reported the website indicates they are eligible for a free trial with no commitment.

The trader obtains the consumer’s bank details, allegedly to cover the cost of post and packaging of around £2.50. However, consumers are unaware of a small print clause entitling the trader to debit sums of up to £75 per month if they do not cancel the trial within 14 days.

Graeme Paton, Trading Standards Team Leader, said: “I am concerned that many consumers are being misled by the practices of unscrupulous traders in this sector. To make matters worse, most of these traders are based overseas, despite often giving the impression that they are UK-based by the use of a UK PO Box number.

“This causes a great deal of stress to consumers in getting these debits from their bank account stopped, and makes it difficult for Trading Standards to effectively police these companies.

“I am also concerned that consumers may be risking their health by purchasing from such companies. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has recently warned consumers that herbal slimming products bought from these overseas companies often contain banned ingredients such as phenolphthalein which may cause cancer, or sibutramine which can increase the risk of heart attack or strokes.

“The MHRA advise people to only purchase such products following consultation with their doctor or pharmacist, and to only purchase herbal remedies bearing the Traditional Herbal Registration (THR) logo. “

Consumers who have any concerns should contact Aberdeen City Council Trading Standards Service via the Consumer Direct help line on 08454 040506

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