RMN'S Blog
A Case of False Advertised Panties Lawsuit
The theory that caffeine gets rid of the appearance of cellulite has been floating around on the internet and pop news for the past couple years. Since the fad, caffeine-infused panties claiming to rid the buttocks of cellulite appearance have come on the market. In addition, a lawsuit has been filed against the panty-making company.
Maidenform and Wacoal America are companies that both produced the underwear made of Novarel Slim, a fabric that contains retinol and small caffeine capsules, that claim to zap away fat cells. Both of the companies made big claims about their products. Maidenform stated the panties were “embedded with microcapsules containing caffeine to promote fat destruction.” Wacoal called their line, iPant, “hope on a hanger”, and if worn for 8 hours a day for 28 days, there would be a reduction in thigh diameter.
We can all see that wearing a certain type of underwear will probably not completely obliterate fat and cellulite like these companies claimed. The Federal Trade Commission called the claims “about as credible as a note from the Tooth Fairy.”
Two New Yorkers were the first to file a law suit, and the case is slowly moving forward. In April, two Massachusetts women added their suit, along with one in Tallahassee. All of the lawsuits stated the panties did not “reduce thigh measurement or promote fat destruction.”
This case has people on one side saying, “Why would you believe something like this?” It is very hard to believe an article of clothing can rid a body of fat and cellulite without any type of exercise or dietary change. On the other hand corporations should not lie about their products just to gain profits.
Lawsuits against false claims from corporations have been around for years. For example, Coca-Cola recently faced a lawsuit because of its deceptive “vitamin water” product said to be a better alternative to plain water and sodas. The drink even claimed to boost the immune system function. Airborne, a medicine to prevent sickness, also faced a lawsuit in 2008 because of false advertising. It first stated that its formula helped a 2nd grade teacher ward off colds. The company later changed its claim to the supplement helped to “boost your immune system”. The problem was that Airborne had no evidence the product actually did as it said it would.
Suing over false claims is nothing new to the legal system. What do you think about the lawsuit for the “fat destroying panties”? What other false advertisement lawsuits will arise in the future?
