Twelve-Calorie Count

Calories Don't Count was the come-on title of a book by Dr. Herman Taller that has sold almost 2,000,000 copies to would-be weight losers since 1961. The book particularly recommended use of safflower-oil capsules made by Cove Vitamins and Pharmaceuticals, and then was used in Cove promotion. Trouble was, the capsules were virtually useless in the prescribed doses. At least that was the contention of the Food and Drug Administration, and last week a federal jury in Brooklyn finally found Taller guilty on eight counts of mail fraud, three of violating FDA regulations and one of conspiracy. He faces a maximum sentence of 50 years.