FTC, FDA warn companies making coronavirus claims

When a public health issue dominates the headlines, companies rush to market with products that can prevent or treat the problem. We’re seeing the same thing with coronavirus. But do these businesses have the evidence of advertising claims the FTC requires? Are their products approved, approved or authorized by the FDA? The Federal Trade Commission and the Food and Drug Administration just sent warning letters to seven companies expressing concerns about their coronavirus-related products. If your business is filing a coronavirus claim, stop. Pay special attention to the content of the letters. The Federal Trade Commission also has advice for consumers about protecting themselves from coronavirus scams.

Here are the companies that received warning letters from the FTC-FDA and some of the products they are promoting.

Jim Bakker and The Jim Bakker Show. (Yes, That You may remember Jim Bakker from television in the 1980s. ) The FTC-FDA warning letter cites antiviral claims in a video titled “Silver Sol Liquid,” “Silver Sol Gel,” and “Silver Lozenges.” A closer look at what’s not said about coronavirussocial media and website.

Amy’s Herbal Company The warning letter casts doubt on claims that the Idaho company is making multiple products, including “coronavirus solutions.” According to the advertisement, “The preparation has a prophylactic effect and targets acute infections.”

N-vitality. The FTC-FDA letter cites the Oklahoma-based company as manufacturing colloidal silver products. According to its website, “Colloidal silver remains the only antiviral supplement known to kill all seven human coronaviruses,” and “There is an unconventional treatment for Wuhan influenza pneumonia in China that has successfully killed coronaviruses among influenza viruses. Viruses have been responsible for studying epidemic diseases in vitro for more than 100 years…”

Important silver. The Florida-based company posted on Facebook and its website numerous statements cited by the Federal Trade Commission and FDA in warning letters, such as, “It is actually widely acknowledged by science and the medical industry that ionic silver can kill the coronavirus.” and”[R]Research work shows that silver can effectively inactivate human coronavirus strain 229E, a virus related to SARS. . ”.

Quinessence Aromatherapy Ltd. The British company promotes “essential oils to protect against coronavirus” on Twitter and on its website, listing the products it sells as “the most powerful antiviral essential oils to protect against coronavirus.” These are among the statements cited in the FTC-FDA warning letter.

GURUNANDA LIMITED. California-based GuruNanda asks on its website: “What exactly is this novel coronavirus, and how can it be prevented and/or treated?” According to the company, its frankincense products are a way to “reduce the chance of infection.” The warning letter cited these statements and others made by the company on Twitter and Facebook.

Vitality Holistic Clinic. According to the FTC-FDA warning letter, the Canadian company made various statements on its website and Facebook, such as, “About Wuhan Coronavirus: Stephen Buhner.” . . Coronaviruses have been studied extensively. . . and treated them with great success using his protocol. ” The company also makes recommendations on the use of “prophylactic doses” and “infectious doses” of its products.

What is the FDA telling these companies? “You should take immediate action to ensure that your company is not marketing, and will not market in the future, products to diagnose, mitigate, prevent, treat, or cure COVID-19 that are not approved, cleared, or authorized by the FDA.”

The FTC reminds these companies that “it is illegal to advertise that a product can prevent, treat, or cure disease in humans unless you have strong and reliable scientific evidence, including, where appropriate, well-controlled clinical studies in humans, that confirms these claims.” Statements are made at the time they were made.” Additionally, because “there are currently no vaccines, pills, drops, lotions, lozenges, or other prescription or over-the-counter products available to treat or cure coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19),” The FTC said the companies “must immediately cease making all such claims.”

Recipients of the letters have 48 hours to tell the FDA and FTC what steps they are taking to address the concerns raised by the agencies. The letters also serve as a reminder of the consequences of breaking the law. If a company fails to take immediate corrective action, the FDA may take enforcement action, which may involve criminal prosecution. The FTC may seek federal court injunctions and financial remedies for consumers.

What advice does the FTC have for other companies considering making similar statements?

• Advertising campaigns related to the coronavirus will be scrutinized. The Federal Trade Commission has a magnifying glass on the market to monitor coronavirus claims. We’ll take a closer look at what the company is saying. This also includes examining product names, URLs, meta tags, and other ways in which companies imply or imply claims to consumers.
• Don’t even think about marketing a product unless you can back up your claims with solid science. Under the FTC Act, claims that a product can prevent or treat serious disease need to be supported by strictly controlled clinical studies in humans.
• Be cautious on social media. Promoting coronavirus-related products on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, etc. is advertising covered by the FTC Act. If you don’t have solid science to back it up, don’t say it on social media.

Both agencies also provide guidance to consumers. FDA advises them “not to purchase or use COVID-19 related products that are not approved for sale”Compiled, approved or authorized by the FDA. ”

The Federal Trade Commission has set up a new page with resources to help consumers avoid coronavirus scams, including content and images you can share on social media or with employees.have Have you spotted a suspicious coronavirus promotion? Report to the Federal Trade Commission.

Source link

from Tech Empire Solutions https://techempiresolutions.com/ftc-fda-warn-companies-making-coronavirus-claims/
via https://techempiresolutions.com/

from Tech Empire Solutions https://techempiresolutions.wordpress.com/2024/02/03/ftc-fda-warn-companies-making-coronavirus-claims/
via https://techempiresolutions.com/

from Mary Ashley https://maryashle.wordpress.com/2024/02/03/ftc-fda-warn-companies-making-coronavirus-claims/
via https://techempiresolutions.com/