America's Federal Trade Commission has charged home shopping channel QVC with making "deceptive claims" for weight-loss products.

The FTC says that "false or unsubstantiated claims" were made with respect to For Women Only-brand weight loss products, and other unsubstantiated claims for both Lite Bites and Bee-Alive products. Also, the FTC says QVC made unsubstantiated claims about Lipofactor Cellulite Target Lotion.

Howard Beales, director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection at the FTC, said: "QVC’s claims for these products are not only unsubstantiated, but for some, scientifically impossible. No pill or drink can cause anyone to lose 125 pounds. QVC didn’t keep its promise to use sound science and solid evidence to back up the claims it makes for the health products it sells."

The United States Department of Justice has, at the FTC's request, filed a lawsuit against the Liberty Media-owned channel at the federal district court of Philadelphia. The suit seeks civil penalties, consumer redress, and "other relief."

Four years ago, QVC settled FTC allegations that unsubstantiated claims regarding Cold-Eze lozenges were transmitted on its channel. In the settlement, QVC promised that it must provide "competent and reliable scientific evidence" to back up claims that dietary supplements "can or will cure, treat, or prevent any disease, or have any effect on the structure or function of the human body." The new FTC action is based on the premise that QVC violated this promise by not backing up its claims.

No response from QVC's parent company, Liberty Media, was available at the time this article was posted.