Claims about coronavirus killers, virus buster cards, sage, oregano and bay leaves are called into question in the latest round of warning letters from Federal Trade Commission staff. As the total approaches 300, the letters make it clear that companies need to clarify their claims about preventing or curing COVID-19. Here are the products and promises that have attracted attention recently.
The1VirusBuster. The company cited statistics about the spread of the coronavirus to promote The 1 Virus Buster card as “safe, easy and effective.” All you need to do is hang it around your neck or on your collar, close to your mouth and nose. When used correctly, it can kill 99.99% of the most harmful bacteria and viruses within a three-foot radius of the air you breathe. “
Active Lifestyle Clinic. In marketing materials titled “Learn About Our COVID-19 Solutions,” the Phoenix Clinic promotes ozone therapy as “an effective, safe and affordable way to treat viruses and infections…” . . ”.
Dave Asprey. In a letter sent to Seattle-based Bulletproof 360, Inc., FTC staff cited blog posts, including one about “How to Hack the Coronavirus.” The website promotes a variety of products, including andrographis, sage, oregano, bay leaf and a formula called “Bulletproof.”
Return to 2 Health Home Health Center. A video on the New Jersey office’s YouTube channel claims to show consumers “how to boost their immune system to fight any virus, including coronavirus or Covid 19.” In a video titled “Coronavirus Covid-19 and Chiropractic On the webpage, the company promotes “regular chiropractic adjustments” that “can lessen the severity or shorten the duration if you happen to get sick.”
bottom line company In promoting the products it sells, the Connecticut company said: “[A]According to the NIH, there is important data suggesting that melatonin can limit virus-related illness and may also benefit COVID-19 patients. ” Additionally, the company claims that astragalus, quercetin, elderberry, and zinc “help prevent viruses from entering your cells by blocking the receptors that viruses try to invade. “
Brenner is in total health. A video on the Connecticut company’s website claims, “We have several intravenous drips that can…” after mentioning the “new coronavirus spreading around the world.” . . Helps with prevention, as well as IVs that can be used if you currently have an infection. The company posted on Facebook that for consumers taking intravenous vitamin C, “the virus itself will just… be crushed to death.”
Coronavirus doctor. The Lubbock-based business advertises on its website: “Get the same herbal formulas used in Chinese hospitals to treat and prevent Covid-19.” The company also promotes three products it claims are based on “China Research on advanced formulas to prevent coronavirus infection.”
Vertex Vitamins. Florida Enterprises warns consumers on its website that “when you contract this virus, a cytokine storm attacks your lungs, heart and brain…” . You may die. ” The company promotes several products as “natural ways to help fight this viral invasion,” including the Fortifeye Super Immune Wellness Kit, which it describes as “the big daddy, the king.”
Health Nutrition Center. In describing “steps you can take to protect yourself from this coronavirus or any other virus,” the Montana company recommended products it sells, including “oregano oil, olive leaf extract, elderberry Fruit, sovereign silver, garlic, astragalus, cat’s claw.”
Hackbart Chiropractic. “There are many things you can do, but what’s the most effective option? Get a tune-up,” the Nebraska clinic says on a webpage titled “Boost immunity during Covid-19.” It continues, “Through the spine Massage therapy builds good offensive skills so you can have the upper hand in the fight against COVID-19.”
Hyde Park Holistic Centre. The Georgia clinic’s webpage includes a headline titled “Possible Natural Solutions to Coronavirus” and recommends four products available in its online store: AdvaClear, which contains EGCG; Sinuplex, which contains quercetin; Zinc AG; and Super powerful [Vitamin] C.
PhD. Rozita Moshtag. In a warning letter sent to Dr. Moshtagh, a naturopathic medicine clinic in San Diego, FTC staff cited statements on her website such as “We offer natural antiviral medications and intravenous therapies for COVID-19/Coronavirus ” and “Schedule your high-dose IV vitamin C.” Stay away from Covid-19. “
Clifton Natural Health Center. In a Facebook post titled “Coronavirus: How to Protect Yourself,” the New Jersey center promoted its “Coronavirus Protocol” as “specifically designed to boost your immune system and ward off the virus.” It also recommends chiropractic care as a way to “boost your immune system and protect yourself from coronavirus.”
naturalhealthsupply.com. The Maine company promotes its Zapper and Food Zappicator as devices that can prevent or treat the coronavirus by using specific frequencies to kill the virus.
NSideOut Health. The Atlanta company promotes its elderberry syrup, elderberry elixir, elderberry seaweed gel and black seed oil in Instagram posts using the hashtags #coronakiller, #coronacure or #covidcure, saying they are “suitable for everyday use, especially During this pandemic”. . . ”.
Providence Health Store. On its webpage, the company describes the health risks posed by COVID-19 and recommends the VariZapper, a device that “removes viruses.” The product is promoted on Instagram as a “#Frequencygenerator device that removes #pathogens from the body” using the hashtag #coronavirus.
Silver Cancer Institute and Chronic Disease Center. In promoting ozone therapy as part of its “coronavirus emergency package,” the Arizona company cited “new peer-reviewed literature” and recommended “intravenous ozone oxidation therapy,” which is “fairly effective at killing the virus.” [the] Virus.”
Youwell Life Co., Ltd. The California company claims on its website that consumers can “prevent coronavirus with Primocyn.”
The whole word botanical medicine. In marketing materials titled “Four Things You Can Do at Home to Relieve Coronavirus and Pneumonia Symptoms,” the New York company recommends camu camu, cat’s claw and money plant. The website also published a testimonial claiming that two health care workers infected with COVID-19 took the products and “three days later, their fevers were gone and their oxygen levels were almost back to normal!”
XSLIL. In a YouTube video titled “There’s an Easier, Cheaper Way to Fight COVID-19,” the Utah company claimed, “A study from Utah State University found that nasal sprays like Xlear can Reducing the COVID-19 virus to ‘undetectable amounts’ after 15 minutes. “
Like the hundreds of warning letters that FTC staff have issued, this latest one is substantial:
This is illegal under the Federal Trade Commission Act. . . Claim that a product or service can prevent, treat, or cure human disease unless you have sufficient and reliable scientific evidence, including (where appropriate) rigorously controlled human clinical studies, to substantiate the claim as true at the time it is made. For COVID-19, there are currently no such studies on the above mentioned products. Therefore, any coronavirus-related precautionary claims about such products are not supported by strong and reliable scientific evidence. You must immediately cease making all such claims.
The FTC has filed a lawsuit against a company that received a warning letter but failed to make significant changes to its COVID-19 statements. Looking for more compliance resources? Please visit the Federal Trade Commission’s Guidance for Business During the Coronavirus portal.
