Consumers file class action regarding labeling on Body Fortress powder

Consumer ProtectionTwo Illinois residents have filed claims against health food supplement companies, NBTY Inc. and United States Nutrition, alleging that the companies falsely advertised the supposed benefits of their products.

Named plaintiffs, Gherson Tovar and Larry Wiegard, claim that the labeling on the Body Fortress 100% Pure Glutamine Powder actively deceived consumers by boasting that the product assists in muscle growth, enhancement and recovery after a workout.  Plaintiffs point to many scientific studies to argue that any promotion of the Body Fortress product as a key part of muscle recovery is blatantly false.

The Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition found that glutamine, which is a naturally-produced neutral amino acid in the human body, failed to affect muscle protein kinetics in study test subjects. Likewise, a study published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology also concluded that glutamine supplements have no beneficial effects on muscle performance or protein degradation in test subjects.

To further bolster their claims, Plaintiffs also point out that the 1995 study cited on the product’s label never actually consisted of study subjects ingesting glutamine supplements.

The complaint alleges that had they known that the promoted benefits of the product were based on misleading studies and empty claims, both Plaintiffs would not have purchased the product and accuse the defendants of violating the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Plaintiffs are seeking class status on behalf of all consumers who purchased Body Fortress 100% Pure Glutamine Powder.

The Body Fortress Glutamine Supplement False Advertising Class Action Lawsuit is Gherson Tovar and Larry Weigand v. NBTY Inc. and United States Nutrition Inc., Case No. 3:16-cv-1037, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.

Steve Larson

An experienced trial lawyer who handles both hourly and contingent fee cases, Steve has expertise in class actions, environmental clean-up litigation, antitrust litigation, securities litigation, corporate disputes, intellectual property disputes, unfair competition claims, and disputes involving family wealth. Steve regularly represents individuals and businesses in federal and state court and has obtained class-wide recovery in multiple class actions. A veteran practitioner, Steve’s clients value his creative approach to resolving complex litigation matters.

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