WASHINGTON  —  The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (search), a nonprofit health group, filed two lawsuits against the dairy industry on Tuesday alleging false advertising for claims that milk helps in weight loss.

One lawsuit filed by the Washington, D.C.-based PCRM filed in Alexandria Circuit Court in Virginia seeks to have Kraft Foods Inc. (KFT), General Mills (GIS), Danone unit Dannon and trade groups stop the ad campaign. A second suit seeks recover $236 for a Virginia woman who claims to have gained weight af weight loss aid, refuted the allegations.

"There is a substantial body of evidence that supports the connection between calcium and potential weight loss," General Mills spokeswoman Marybeth Thorsgaard said.

However, Catherine Holmes, the Virginia woman who said she gained weight following the dairy industries recommendations disagreed.

"I'm here to add my voice against this sort of fraud." Holmes said at a news conference. She is seeking $236 in damages, the amount she says she spent on dairy products promoted as helping weight loss.