The Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") announced it has issued ten additional warning letters to companies located in both the United States and abroad for allegedly selling unapproved products that may violate federal law by making deceptive or scientifically unsupported claims about their ability to treat coronavirus (COVID-19).
The companies advertise products including a bundle of supplements called an "ANTI-VIRUS KIT" to "Sonic Silicone Face Brushes" and even intravenous (IV) "therapies" with high doses of Vitamin C to "fight off Coronavirus." Despite the companies' claims, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA"), there currently are no products that are scientifically proven to treat or prevent the virus.
The letters indicate that one or more of the efficacy claims made by the marketers are unsubstantiated because they are not supported by scientific evidence, and therefore, violate the FTC Act. Accordingly, the FTC's letters order the companies to "immediately cease making all such claims."
The FTC requested the companies respond within forty-eight hours describing the specific steps they have taken to address the FTC's concerns.
Takeaway: This is the latest round of warning letters issued by the FTC alleging unapproved and/or unsupported claims that products can treat or prevent coronavirus. As we wrote about here, the FTC, in conjunction with the FDA, previously issued several warning letters to companies making similar coronavirus efficacy claims. The warnings represent the continued effort by regulators to stop scams and remove from the marketplace bogus treatments and cures to purportedly combat COVID-19.
This article is presented for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice.
