Judge Orders Xenadrine Maker to Pay $12.5 Million for Ads

SAN DIEGO - In a tentative bench ruling, a California Superior Court judge ordered Cytodyne Technologies, the maker of the ephedra-based supplement Xenadrine RFA-1, to pay $12.5 million for using ads that allegedly misled and deceived consumers. Jason Park, et al., v. Cytodyne Technologies, Inc., et al., No. GIC-768364 (Calif. Sup. Ct., San Diego Cty.).

Superior Court Judge Ronald Styn opined that statements used to promote the supplement's ability to promote weight loss found in advertisements and commercials were misleading under the 'reasonable consumer' standard.

According to the ruling, Cytodyne's claims were not sufficiently supported by scientific research because the …