Acai Berry Scams

CSPI Warns Consumers of Web-Based Açai Berry Scams

Just as millions of Americans enter another weight-loss phase -- this time for bathing suit season -- the Center for Science in the Public Interest, is warning consumers about companies using "fake blogs, fishy science and hard-to-cancel credit card transactions to bilk consumers" through the sales of acai pills.

CSPI is warning consumers not to enroll online in supposedly free trials of diet products made from acai berry (pronounced a-sigh-EE).

Again, according to CSPI, there's no evidence whatsoever to suggest that açai pills will help shed pounds, flatten tummies, cleanse colons, enhance sexual desire, or perform any of the other commonly advertised functions.

And to insult to the wound, thousands of consumers report difficulties stopping recurrent charges on their credit cards when they cancel their free trials.

Here's the best quote from CSPI:
"If Bernard Madoff were in the food business, he’d be offering 'free' trials of açai-based weight-loss products," said CSPI senior nutritionist David Schardt, who authored an exposé of the scam in the April issue of CSPI’s Nutrition Action Healthletter. "Law enforcement has yet to catch up to these rogue operators. Until they do, consumers have to protect themselves."

Why the Popularity?
In early 2008, Açai received some publicity when Dr. Mehmet Oz included açai among tomatoes, blueberries, broccoli, and other healthy foods in a segment on Oprah.

A guest on Rachael Ray also talked about an açai beverage.

Since then, ads on Google, Facebook, and major news media web sites have misleadingly steered consumers to sites with names like Oprah-best-acai.com , OprahsAmazingDiet.com, DrOzMiracle.com, rachaelray.drozdiet-acaiberry.com and dozens of others.

Oprah Winfrey, Mehmet Oz, and Rachael Ray have all publicly disassociated themselves from the açai sites that make unauthorized use their names.

Once again, EDUCATION is key! No magic pills... and now, no magic berries!!