The Federal Trade Commission today announced a settlement over claims made by Norm Thompson Outfiters and Warcoal America.
The two marketers of women’s “shapewear” undergarments claimed their caffeine-infused underwear and pants could help you lose weight. Just one problem, the claims were false and not substantiated by scientific evidence. Oops.
The proposed orders settling the FTC’s complaints bar Norm Thompson Outfitters, Inc., and Wacoal America, Inc., from making false and unsubstantiated claims about their shapewear and require them to pay a total of more than $1.5 million for consumer refunds.
“Caffeine-infused shapewear is the latest ‘weight-loss’ brew concocted by marketers,” said Jessica Rich, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “If someone says you can lose weight by wearing the clothes they are selling, steer clear. The best approach is tried and true: diet and exercise.”
The companies claimed wearing caffeine infused underwear could eliminate or reduce cellulite, and reduce hip and measurements.
Apparently all it did was reduce wallet weight and reduce the dimension of the wallet.
The product by Warcoal America was called iPants. Seriously, iPants.
Finally, the FTC orders require Norm Thompson Outfitters and Wacoal America to pay $230,000 and $1.3 million, respectively, that the FTC can use to provide refunds to consumers who bought the caffeinated shapewear.