Latest News MEDIA RELEASE 21 August 2009 Weight Management Council of Australia supports calls for regulation of weight-loss industry The call by the Preventative Health Taskforce to regulate the weight-loss industry is welcomed by the Weight Management Council of Australia. The Weight Management Council administers the compliance of its members with a Code of Practice developed by representatives of the weight management industry, consumer organisations, health and nutrition professionals and state and federal government consumer affairs departments. OBJECTIVES OF THE CODE OF PRACTICE To ensure that the advertising by Members gives accurate information about costs and the likelihood of success of weight management products and services. To ensure that members providing weight management products and services deal openly, honestly and fairly with consumers and represent themselves in accordance with their training and accreditation. To enable consumers to make informed choices about the weight management products and services they purchase. To achieve standardised and recognised training and qualifications for those providing weight management products and services. To ensure that consumers are informed about their legal rights and the Code before they enter into a contract. To ensure timely and appropriate resolution of disputes within an established framework of dispute resolution mechanisms. To ensure that weight management products and services do not compromise health status and are supported by sound food technology and nutritional science. To ensure that Members actively promote the Code to their clients and potential clients. The Board of the Council is chaired by an independent chairperson - Professor Gary Wittert who can be contacted for comment – 0409 411 789". Members of the Weight Management Council are Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Fernwood, Nestle Nutrition, Trim-a-Weigh. MEDIA RELEASE 5 February 2009 Weight Management Council Australia urges consumers to choose accredited weight loss programs The Weight Management Council Australia (WMCA) welcomes the report by CHOICE – Pharmacy Diet Plans, which says that some diet plans sold in pharmacy, including shakes and meal replacements, fail to deal effectively with the complex issues surrounding weight loss. WMCA independent chair Professor Gary Wittert said consumers should look for an accredited program when seeking an effective weight loss solution. "We are very concerned that consumers may be provided with unproven weight loss solutions, and incomplete advice that may not address the problem in a holistic and appropriately tailored manner. A related and equally problematic issue is the promotion and sale of "medications" for weight loss that are not required to be subjected to evaluation by the TGA" Professor Wittert said. "The WMCA currently administers a voluntary code of practice for commercial weight loss companies, which covers all the minimum standards called for by Choice, but which the shakes and meal replacements covered in the Choice report, do not meet. The Code was developed to protect consumers following extensive consultation with consumer organisations, representatives of the weight management industry, health and nutrition professionals and state and federal government consumer affairs departments. It is supported by the Consumers’ Federation of Australia". Professor Wittert said that the Weight Management Council strongly support the call by Choice for the Government to introduce regulations to better protect consumers. The current voluntary code is excellent but the protection affords consumers should be more widely implemented through Government regulation. "In the meantime Consumers should look for the WMCA accreditation symbol or check if an organisation is accredited before joining any weight loss plan." The Australian Weight Management Code of Practice was the first of its kind in the world and provides a benchmark for other countries. For more information or interviews contact Weight Management Council Australia Douglas Browning on: 03 8637 4722