Acai Berry Company Temporarily Shut Down By FTC Over Billing Practices

Last summer, Central Coast Nutraceuticals settled a deceptive practices charge from Arizona’s Attorney General by promising to pay $1.4 million in fines. Now the company, which peddles acai berry and colon cleansing products, has been forced to temporarily stop selling or marketing its wonder products completely under an injunction obtained yesterday by the FTC.

The FTC argues that Central Coast promises free trial offers, but actually bills customers for the full price, which can exceed $100. It also doesn’t provide full refunds on the trials as promised.

“FTC halts sales of weight-loss, colon-cleansing Internet sales company” [Chicago Tribune]
“FTC Cracks Down on Acai Supplements, Cites Rachael Ray and Oprah” [WSJ]

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