Is a dietary supplement called Itcha XS a weight loss pill, as extensively advertised on social media? No, that's not true. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Thailand says the pill is not registered as weight loss medication and advertising it as having weight loss effects violates FDA regulation. The regulatory agency is preparing to issue consumer warnings regarding this product and legal actions may be taken against the supplement distributor to remove misleading advertisements from commercial channels.
The claim appeared in a video (archived here) on TikTok on March 21, 2024, by @ itcha2024, an account affiliated with the product's distributor. The caption (translated from Thai to English by Lead Stories staff) read:
Let's hear the answer. What has (the presenter) done (to her body)?
A woman is heard saying (as translated):
Many people ask whether Benz (the name of the presenter) has undergone gastric surgery or liposuction, but I haven't done anything at all. I've been taking Itcha since October (2023). I just take Itcha and also watch my diet. Some may feel it's impossible to lose weight but I want you to open your heart and give it a try because many people are afraid. Take Itcha one pill a day and your body will definitely change.
This is what the post looked like on TikTok at the time of writing:
(Source: TikTok screenshot taken on Wed Mar 27 09:12:03 2024 UTC)
The product is registered with Thailand's FDA as a dietary supplement product (archived here). According to the regulations of the FDA (archived here), advertising dietary supplements as products that can reduce weight or change body shape is forbidden.
Lead Stories reached out by phone to the FDA Thai's Complaint and Enforcement Management Center (archived here) on March 27, 2024. An FDA representative acknowledged that there have been many complaints about the product, saying (as translated):
Since the product is registered with the FDA as a dietary supplement, and it has not been reported to the office as having any properties that contribute to weight loss, it is considered a violation of FDA regulations for advertising with such a message.
Adding:
The bureau is currently addressing misleading advertising by the product. Warnings Thai consumers against the product and also legal issue against the distributing company will be soon launched.
