Have any weight-loss brands promoted by Oprah faced class-action lawsuits?
Executive summary
Several companies have used Oprah Winfrey’s name or likeness to promote weight-loss products, and Harpo/Oprah herself has sued firms over false endorsements in past cases [1]. In recent years she publicly warned fans about fraudulent “weight loss gummies” and in 2023 filed suit against companies selling products labeled “Oprah Winfrey Keto Gummies” and similar items [2] [3].
1. The short answer: yes — but usually as plaintiff, not defendant
Court records and reporting show Oprah (through Harpo Inc. or directly) has pursued legal action against companies that used her name without permission; for example, Harpo brought suits tied to fabricated endorsements of acai products [1], and a 2023 complaint targeted companies marketing “Oprah Winfrey Keto Gummies” and “Oprah Winfrey CBD Gummies” [3]. Available sources do not mention any major weight‑loss brand that Oprah endorsed being the subject of a class‑action lawsuit naming her as a promoter or defendant.
2. Fraudulent endorsements are the recurring problem — not corporate partnerships
Most coverage frames the issue as scammers or unscrupulous sellers misappropriating Oprah’s image or voice to sell supplements and gimmicks. Oprah publicly warned followers that weight-loss gummy ads using her likeness were fraudulent and urged people not to provide personal information to those sites [2]. Local reporting and fact‑checking likewise document widespread misuse of her likeness in 2024–2025 scam campaigns [4] [5].
3. Legal strategy: suing companies that falsely claim Oprah’s endorsement
Historically Harpo’s legal approach has been to sue manufacturers and marketers who falsely claim Oprah endorsed their products — exemplified by lawsuits tied to acai‑berry scams [1]. In 2023 reporting, Oprah sued firms identified as selling products labeled with her name, accusing them of capitalizing on her fame and misleading consumers [3].
4. How consumers have been harmed — examples from reporting
Investigations show consumers paid hundreds of dollars for supplements advertised with fake Oprah endorsements; one Utah woman said she bought bottles touted as “science‑backed” only to find common spices like turmeric as the main ingredient [4]. These stories underscore the consumer‑protection rationale behind suits and public warnings [2] [4].
5. The role of deepfakes and AI-era scams
Reporting for 2025 highlights a new layer: AI‑generated videos and fake endorsements that make scams harder to spot. Coverage notes Oprah and fact‑checkers have repeatedly clarified she does not endorse weight‑loss supplements and that deepfakes continue to circulate despite corrections [5] [6]. This technological shift increases both the scale of misuse and the legal and public‑education challenge.
6. Distinguishing legitimate partnerships from false claims
Oprah has had legitimate ties to the weight‑loss industry — most notably a public partnership with WW/WeightWatchers dating back years — but that differs from the unauthorized product endorsements pushed by scammers [7]. Recent reporting about her involvement with WW and her public discussions of weight‑loss medication are separate matters from the fraudulent gummies and supplements that used her name without consent [7] [8].
7. Two competing perspectives in coverage
One perspective treats Oprah as an active litigant protecting her brand and consumers [1] [3]. Another perspective highlights the limits of litigation and the growing sophistication of scammers: even after lawsuits and public warnings, fake ads and AI deepfakes kept circulating in 2024–25, producing new victims [5] [9]. Both views appear in the available reporting.
8. Limitations and what sources do not say
Available sources document lawsuits by Oprah or Harpo against firms falsely claiming endorsements and numerous scam incidents [1] [3] [2], but they do not provide a comprehensive list of every legal filing or identify any class‑action lawsuit that named a legitimate, Oprah‑promoted weight‑loss brand as defendant. If you want full courtroom records or an exhaustive list of lawsuits, current reporting does not include that level of legal‑filing detail (not found in current reporting).
9. Practical takeaway for readers
Treat unsolicited ads claiming celebrity endorsements as suspect; Oprah’s own public statements and lawsuits show she does not endorse gummies or similar supplements and that she pursues legal remedies against misusers of her name [2] [3]. Reporters and regulators note that the spread of deepfakes makes verifying claims more urgent [5] [6].