Facebook posts falsely advertise weight loss pills as endorsed by judges on US Dragons’ Den

First published 6 December 2021
Updated 13 January 2022
What was claimed

Weight loss pills advertised on Facebook have been endorsed by judges on the US version of Dragons’ Den, Shark Tank.

Our verdict

False. Shark Tank has never featured weight loss pills.

Clips advertising weight loss pills have been shared tens of thousands of times on Facebook, claiming endorsement from judges on Shark Tank, the US version of Dragons’ Den.

This is false. Weight loss pills have never featured on the US version of the programme. The judges on Shark Tank have previously confirmed they do not endorse weight loss pills.  

This is not the first time these sorts of false claims have been spread on social media. USA Today, Health Feedback and other fact checking organisations have previously investigated similar videos.

These particular posts do not mention which brand or type of diet pills they are advertising, but similar products are described as “keto” pills, referring to ketogenic diets which are high in fats and low in carbohydrates. 

Correction 13 January 2022

This article originally repeated the claim in the conclusion box. This has been corrected.

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