Acai Scams Proliferate Online

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), Washington, D.C., is warning consumers not to enroll online in “free trials” of diet products containing the trendy Brazilian superfruit acai. While traditionally a popular food in its native land, there’s no evidence to suggest that acai products will help shed pounds, flatten tummies, cleanse colons, enhance sexual desire or perform any of the other commonly advertised functions, CSPI said. Thousands of consumers have had trouble stopping recurrent charges on their credit cards when they cancel their free trials. The Better Business Bureau has already received thousands of acai-related complaints.