Article content

A key player in the country’s weight-loss industry deserves a formal caution for violating advertising rules, a professional appeal board in Ontario has ruled.

In a decision released Thursday, the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board dismissed a protest by Dr. Stanley Bernstein, who wanted the caution thrown out.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Review board dismisses protest by Dr. Stanley Bernstein, key player in weight loss industry, over formal caution Back to video

“That part of the decision requiring [Dr. Bernstein] to attend the college in person to be cautioned for his use of testimonials, comparatives, and superlatives in his advertising is confirmed,” the review board said.

The complaint to the College of Physicians and Surgeons originated with Toronto lawyer Peter Rosenthal, who argued Dr. Bernstein had breached the rules with his advertising of his weight-loss clinics by making numerous unsubstantiated claims.

In its decision in July 2013, the college’s inquiries, complaints and reports committee upheld Mr. Rosenthal’s complaint, finding Dr. Bernstein had violated advertising rules “in a number of significant ways.”