With so many overweight people in the US, diet products have become a multibillion dollar industry with more and more people jumping in trying to sell new products.
As for the hot spicy meals, it could be cayenne pepper, known to be a laxative.
For those who really want to lose weight the healthy way and eat what you really love, then just get yourself on fresh fruits and veggies. I can't stress this enough. Diets do not work. Eating right does.