FTC & FDA Warn Companies Making False COVID-19 Claims

On 3/6/2020, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Food and Drug Administration sent warning letters to seven companies telling the companies they were “violating federal law and putting patients at risk by falsely claiming their products … can prevent or treat the coronavirus” (ie, COVID-19).  The seven companies are:  Colloidal Vitality LLC, GuruNanda LLC, Herbal Amy Inc., The Jim Bakker Show, Quinessence Aromatherapy Ltd., Vivify Holistic Clinic, and Xephyr LLC dba N-ergetics.  All seven companies were given 48 hours to report on their specific steps to correct the violations.  Failure to correct the violations “may result in legal action, including, without limitation, seizure and injunction.”  Also, within the warning letters, the FDA states “there currently are no vaccines, pills, potions, lotions, lozenges or other prescription or over-the-counter products available to treat or cure coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).”  For more information, see the FDA COVID-19 page.