Sneaky, Rotten, Underhanded, Dirty Tricks Vol I.
A short while ago I received an e-mail offering an invitation to purchase one or more of a small number of remaining bottles of BetaFuel. BetaFuel is distributed by MarqiLife and Brock Felt (who appears as an “unbiased customer” in the before and after shots featured on the BetaFuel web site. You can also see Brock’s pictures featured on the NiteTrim product site as well).
BetaFuel happens to be an ephedra-based product, containing 10 mg of ephedra derived from Ma Huang.
Ephedra, of course, is illegal in the U.S., where MarqiLife is based, and where BetaFuel is marketed.
Now let me be clear; I do not intend to make this into a discussion on whether ephedra should or should not be illegal, and whether the ban is just or justified.
This is about BetaFuel.
If you review the product page you’ll see the text (should the page be down by the time you read this, I’ve taken screenshots here and here) …
“On April 14, a federal Judge in Utah reversed the short-lived ban on Ephedra. Also known by its Chinese name “Ma-huang”, ephedra burns fat while you sleep and gives you the energy of a teenager. The Ma-Huang supplement is now back on the market.”
Seems reasonable enough, right?
Well no.
What they fail to mention is that although the ephedra ban was overturned in April, 2005, that same ban was re-instated in August 2006. In other words, they are presenting the product as legal, when in fact it is ILLEGAL. By advertising in this manner, the retailers of BetaFuel are encouraging you to break the law. It may actually get you into trouble should a over-zealous postal worker or customs officer open the BetaFuel package.
And that, in my opinion, is a sneaky, rotten, underhanded, dirty trick.
August 29, 2008
Indeed. Here’s the FDA memo on the subject: Sales of Supplements Containing Ephedrine Alkaloids (Ephedra) Prohibited
I doubt the FDA would go after individual consumers – rather, they will go after the manufacturer, either via warning letters or direct seizure.
I imagine that a consumer could be out some $$$, however, if a package was seized.
January 16, 2009
Not only is there dirty tricks, sneaky, rotten and underhanded practices, my Visa was charged today for a product that I didn’t order from this company, Marqilife. I have never needed or used a weight loss product in my life. I reported this as a fraudulent transaction and further investigation has been initiated. Even my contact with the company to resolve the issue was an unpleasant experience because I didn’t get the cooperation I expected should be coming from them. A big caveat emptor to all consumers. Beware of Marqilife.