Here we have a shiny happy tale about a woman who opened a Suddenly Slimmer franchise: http://www.freep.com/money/business/cainmacomb24r_20050324.htm

And below, my letter to the editor about this Scientological scam:

Someone pointed out Carol Cain's article to me today, about the Suddenly Slimmer franchise. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Suddenly Slimmer is a Scientology-based franchise. The parent company, VMM Enterprises, is owned by Scientologist Victoria Morton.

You're probably wondering why I think this is relevant. Part of the Scientology belief system is a deep mistrust of psychiatry, the mental health industry in general, and the FDA.

The FDA has investigated VMM Enterprises since 2001. It's latest warning letter was dated March 5, 2004. That's a long time to fail to comply. In part, the FDA warns that, " Your raw materials and finished products were analyzed and found to be contaminated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in an earlier inspection. In addition, the analysis of samples collected during the August 2003 inspection shows high counts of microorganisms, yeast, and mold (>105 cfu/g)."

The entire letter can be read at the FDA website here: http://www.fda.gov/foi/warning_letters/g4788d.htm

I found a Suddenly Slimmer franchise here in San Diego. I wrote to them, asking about the safety of their product, and asked if they had complied yet with the FDA's warning letter.

Here is where the significance of Scientology involvment comes in. The reply that I got reflects the Scientology attitude towards the FDA: "The solution is safe enough for children/elderly/pregnant etc. The FDA approves Prozac & all the other drugs that kill people, I don't worry about what they say. Our solution is safe enough to drink or get in your eyes. I've been doing this for many years & people love it. Thank you for your concern. Sincerely, SS "

This is typical Scientology-style hype. If this product is tainted, I won't be putting it in my eyes or on my aged parents.

Aside from the dangers of being wrapped up in some bacteria and mold infested bandage for a couple of hours, the insidious Scientology agenda is also being foisted off on unsuspecting patrons in another way. This is from Suddenly Slimmer's website here in San Diego;

"Here at SS we try to get our clients to be as healthy as possible, so we try to get them off ANY types of medication (the body CAN heal itself) that includes psychotropic drugs-anti-depressants. Also I cannot hire anyone who is on these types of meds. (I have alot of documentation on how these drugs harm the body/mind)."

So, not only are they using a tainted product, they are also giving medical advice to their clients.

I spoke to the woman listed on the FDA website. Apparently they're still interested in Suddenly Slimmer. She was most interested in the email I received from the franchise here.

It's pretty clear that VMM Enterprises and the Suddenly Slimmer franchises think they can simply ignore the FDA warnings about their product. This has been an ongoing issue since 2001, and they still haven't cleaned up their act.

People should be warned that this product can be potentially harmful to their health.

--
--barb
Chaplain,ARSCC

"Imagine a church so dangerous, you must sign a release form before you can receive its "spiritual assistance." This assistance might involve holding you against your will for an indefinite period, isolating you from friends and family, and denying you access to appropriate medical care. You will of course be billed for this treatment - assuming you survive it. If not, the release form absolves your caretakers of all responsibility for your suffering and death.

Welcome to the Church of Scientology."

--Dr. Dave Touretzky Peter Alexander

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