New Delhi: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a penalty of ₹3 lakh on VLCC Limited for publishing misleading advertisements regarding its fat-loss and slimming treatments through the US-FDA-approved CoolSculpting machine.
The regulatory body found that the company exaggerated treatment claims, misleading consumers with promises of drastic weight and inch reduction within a single session.
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VLCC Limited Misleading Claims on CoolSculpting
According to the CCPA investigation, VLCC’s advertisements promoted CoolSculpting as a permanent weight-loss solution, with claims such as:
- “Lose up to 600g and 7 cm in 1 session”
- “Drop 1 Size in 1 session permanently”
- “Drop one size in one hour”
- “With Lipolaser Lose 6cm and 400g in one session”
The authority observed that these statements went far beyond the actual approval granted to the CoolSculpting device, which is only authorized for localized fat reduction in specific body areas such as the abdomen, thighs, arms, and flanks — and only for individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or less.
CCPA’s Directives to VLCC Limited
In addition to the financial penalty, the CCPA directed VLCC Limited to:
- Clearly disclose targeted body areas for treatment.
- Specify that CoolSculpting is not a weight-loss procedure.
- Mention BMI restrictions (30 or less).
- Inform consumers about the lack of testing on Indian demographics.
- Avoid misleading contract clauses that limit liability.
- Regulatory Clarifications on CoolSculpting
The CCPA highlighted that the CoolSculpting machine, manufactured by Zeltiq Aesthetics, is not approved as a weight-loss treatment.
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Clinical trials submitted to the US-FDA had limited sample sizes with no representation from Indian or Asian demographics. Furthermore, the US-FDA has not provided any endorsement for its use in India.
Broader Impact on the Wellness Industry
This enforcement action against VLCC Limited follows a similar penalty imposed earlier on Kaya Limited for misleading CoolSculpting advertisements.
The CCPA has cautioned all beauty clinics, wellness centers, and service providers using CoolSculpting machines in India to strictly adhere to approved claims or face penalties under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
