MuscleTech Agrees to Pay State $100,000 to Settle Deceptive Ads Case

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - MuscleTech Research and Development Inc., the Canada-based distributor of the ephedra-containing weight loss supplement Hydroxycut, agreed to pay the state of Missouri $100,000 to resolve a lawsuit claiming that the company used deceptive 'before' and 'after' photos in its advertisements. Nixon v. MuscleTech Research & Development, Inc. No. 034-00889 (Mo. Cir. Ct., St. Louis Cty.).

Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon issued a press release on May 4 stating that the lawsuit, which was filed in March 2003, had been resolved. MuscleTech's $100,000 payment would go to the Missouri Merchandising Practices Revolving Fund, Nixon stated.

The supplement …