Who is Tanya Zuckerbrot? Lawsuit claims dietician’s F-Factor is ‘ill-conceived' and ‘dangerous fad diet'
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK CITY: A group of women alleges in a recent lawsuit that the well-known "F-Factor" diet made them seriously ill, in some cases leading to emergency surgery or intestinal bleeding. Eight plaintiffs from different states claim Tanya Zuckerbrot's high-fiber diet, which was introduced with a book in 2006 and has gained celebrity fans over the years, has caused them serious health problems, the New York Post reports.
The Manhattan Supreme Court lawsuit from Wednesday, October 12, claims that the weight loss program promotes "no upper limit" on fiber intake and allegedly pushes supplements containing heavy metals. The lawsuit stated that F-Factor is "an ill-conceived and dangerous fad diet" and claimed, "Excessively high fiber consumption is what defendants peddled to the public as the 'secret to permanent weight loss."
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Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD, a recognized expert in the field of health and wellness, has developed the famous F-FactorTM diet, which she describes as "the most liberating and sustainable approach to weight loss and optimal health based on a scientifically proven fiber-rich nutrition," according to the F-Factor website.
'The F-Factor Diet: Discover the Secret to Permanent Weight Loss' (2006, GP Putnam & Sons) and 'The Miracle Carb Diet: Make Calories and Fat Disappear - with Fiber!' (2012, Hyperion). are two of Tanya's best-selling books on weight loss.
She also oversaw the creation of the F-Factor line of High Fiber/Protein Powders and Bars, which have both garnered praise from numerous national publications.
According to the lawsuit, F-Factor powders and bars actually contain 20 grams of fiber in just one serving, which is the entire daily allowance of fiber advised by the US Department of Health. It claims that despite this, the products only include a warning to "use only as directed in the book F-Factor Diet," rather than any other potential danger warnings, stating that the book costs $17 and is frequently out of stock.
The F-Factor diet, meanwhile, is alleged to have led to "consumers and plaintiffs significant health issues," including "intestinal blockages requiring emergency surgery, debilitating gastric pain, disordered eating, [and] severe allergic reactions," according to the lawsuit. The suit mentioned other issues including intestinal bleeding, liver problems, kidney stones, and loss of a period for women. According to the lawsuit, Zuckerbrot and her brand "intentionally misinformed consumers about F-Factor Products in order to increase sales."
The lawsuit claims that the nutritionist has bullied anyone who raises concerns about the negative effects of her diet. In a press release, she referred to negative feedback as "rumors and lies," deleted it from social media, threatened legal action against critics, and allegedly hired "a team of internet bullies" to harass whistleblowers.
Since 2020, Zuckerbrot has been embroiled in a public legal battle with influencer Emily Gellis, claiming Gellis is attempting to destroy her brand by spreading lies about the negative effects of her diet. Both cases are still active. Jordyn Bloom, Zuckerbrot's niece, also sued Gellis in September for allegedly fabricating claims that the relative had threatened Gellis in an effort to boost her social media following. That case is still open. Claims that Zuckerbrot's diet is harmful have been brushed off as "rumors."
A statement from Nathan Werksman, an attorney for the plaintiffs reads, "As alleged in this complaint, Plaintiffs seek to hold F-Factor Defendants accountable for selling a dangerous product that injured many people. We look forward to the truth about the F-Factor Products coming to light in this litigation."
The allegations, according to Zuckerbrot's attorney Duncan Levin, have been "time and time again disproven" and are "utterly baseless."Levin stated, "The F-Factor Diet has been a huge success and sold hundreds of thousands of units,” Levin said in a statement. “These eight claims are not based on any medical science whatsoever … This is absolutely frivolous."
Zuckerbrot graduated from New York University with a master's degree in nutrition and food studies, and she also completed a two-year dietetic internship at NYU Medical Center. She successfully earned her CDR Certificate of Training in Adult Weight Management as well as her CDR Certificate of Training in Childhood and Adolescent Weight Management. The nutrition guru has coached well-known people like Megyn Kelly and model Olivia Culpo.