I cannot express the joy I am feeling after learning that the Federal Trade Commission has banned chronic huckster Kevin Trudeau from doing infomercials for three years (click here to see FTC press release). While I believe wholeheartedly in free speech and individual rights, and I might even believe that there are some in regulatory and corporate positions who do want to supress information about natural/alternative health, I also believe that Mr. Trudeau has no business earning money by deceiving people. Kudos to the FTC for going after this perfect example of what legitimate champions of health and wellness call "a bad actor." And in three years, when Trudeau returns to late night paid-programming as he surely will, please just change the channel.

User Comments !

Good post.  The huckster has been stopped.  But what about the deadly direct To Consumer advertising courtesy of big Pharma?  I doubt Trudeau has killed anyone with his chronic scamming.  The same can't be said for Big Pharma.  One person drops dead every five minuted from their heavily advertised meds.

Posted by: the People's Chemist | October 07 2008 09:47:04

Indeed, Trudeau was repetitive and obnoxious, but he raised many good points about the big pharma boys who do as they wish, pay fines and move on, yes, killing people on the way. While the FTC goes after legitimate small companies that have been successful like Airborne so that they can fine them, threatening them with criminal persecution and the FTC and FDA are not accountable to anyone. So, sure, one less hard core salesy huckster. So what? What is the government doing to police itself and it's pseudo government agencies? Nothing, just scratching each others back. Keep your eyes open for the next FTC and FDA suit against natural products companies. Just look at the witch hunt for steroids and hormones which don't kill unless well above recommended values. What's next?

Posted by: Lorne Caplan | October 09 2008 15:25:59