Appeals Court Won't Strike Complaint Against Dietary Supplement Maker

LOS ANGELES - A California appeals court has upheld a decision to allow a consumer group to proceed with its claim against a dietary supplement manufacturer the group says lied about the product's ability to safely and effectively cause weight loss. Consumer Justice Center v. Natural Balance, Inc., et al., No. G028184 (Calif. Ct. App., Fourth Dist.).

The California Court of Appeal said in a May 1 decision upholding the trial court's denial of a motion to strike the complaint under California's anti-SLAPP statute, that evidence presented by plaintiff Consumer Justice Center (CJC) was sufficient to make a prima facie …