50 More Marketers Warned About Making Unsupported COVID-19 Claims

May 22, 2020 | Consumer Protection, Employment & Technology Archive

Numerous Marketers Warned by FTC To Stop Making Unsupported Claims That Their Products and Therapies Can Effectively Prevent or Treat COVID-19

Kehoe Law Firm, P.C. is making consumers aware that on May 21, 2020, the Federal Trade Commission announced that it has sent letters warning 50 more marketers nationwide to stop making unsubstantiated claims that their products and therapies can treat or prevent COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. This is the fifth set of warning letters the FTC has announced as part of its ongoing efforts to protect consumers from health-related COVID-19 scams. In total, the FTC has sent similar letters to more than 120 companies and individuals.

Several of the letters announced today target “treatments,” including Chinese herbal medications, music therapy, ozone therapy, and shields claimed to boost the immune system by protecting the wearer from electromagnetic fields. Currently, however, according to the FTC, there is no scientific evidence that these, or any, products or services can treat or cure COVID-19.

The Marketing Companies To Which The FTC Sent Warning Letters

Acupuncture Healing Center.  The Chicago company claimed in marketing materials that its treatments can “facilitate the body’s immune response to expel the pathogen (coronavirus) depending on what stage and location of infection.”

AcuIntegra.  To promote its traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatments, the Tennessee company claimed, “In the Guangdong province in south of China, TCM proved effective in 89% of the 1,245 confirmed COVID-19 patients . . . .”

American Chinese Medicine Association Clinic.  The Illinois clinic advertised its ACMA Cold/Flu treatment on a webpage titled On Coronavirus by claiming “ . . . we are confident that the coronavirus can be effectively treated, patients’ lives can be saved, and the coronavirus epidemic or pandemic can and will be stopped soon.”

Art of Wellness Acupuncture.  In promoting its treatments, the California company claimed that for COVID-19 patients in Beijing, “Acupuncture experts are documenting cases where acupuncture brings down fever significantly, and herbs have been shown to help resolve the severe cough.”

Ashland Natural Medicine.  On a webpage titled COVID-19 Update, the Oregon company promoted its services by claiming, “Chinese medicine, homeopathy and western herbs appear to be helping many people with this infection[,] so our intention is to use them to treat ill people.”

Beatty Acupuncture.  The Oklahoma company’s website offered “a number of Coronavirus treatment options for both Coronavirus prevention and COVID-19 positive treatment,” including gummies and sprays.

Biogetica.  Under a Coronavirus tab on its site, the California company offered “evidence based natural remedies & advanced bio energetic therapies,” claiming that “the proof of our methods is evident in the unparalleled results seen in clinical trials . . . .”

Carlin Creative Concepts LLC.  In pitches for “Antiviral Mushrooms to Prevent Getting the Coronavirus.” the company claimed, “Since we know that there is currently no treatment or vaccine to assist your body in fighting off this virus what can you do? The cool thing is there are tons of studies that have been done with mushrooms as a potential antiviral treatment . . . .”

Crescent Moon Herbals, LLC. In marketing its “Core Formulations,” the Philadelphia company advertised them “For Corona Virus or SARS.”

Dr. Adrian Hohenwarter.  Next to a graphic that said “CORONAVIRUS PROTECTION,” the Pennsylvania office described its “d-Lenolate Olive Leaf 60 caps” as an “all-natural herbal supplement that provides the protection you need from invading microorganisms that weaken the immune system.”

Dr. Alan Christianson.  In marketing materials titled Special Alert: Coronavirus and What You Need to Know, the Arizona office touted its products as “Natural Solutions.” For example, “In living animal and test-tube studies,” Astragalus “has been shown to kill other coronaviruses.”

Dr. Brownstein’s Holistic Medicine.  The Michigan office recommended its iodine, hydrogen peroxide, and vitamin treatments with the headline, “85 COVID Patients at The Center for Holistic Medicine: Zero Hospitalizations and No Deaths.”

Dr. Dale’s Wellness Center.  On a podcast, the California business claimed, “BioFilm Detox is the thing pathogens hate because if you have symptoms of any virus, any flu, any bacteria . . . the BioFilm Detox will pull it out. . . . You just take BioFilm Detox 20-30 minutes before you use ALLFLU or anything that you’re using to get rid of the COVID-19, but ALLFLU is the best thing to use, it’s the most effective, you feel a difference after using it once.”

Dr. Jill Carnahan.  On its website, the Colorado office answered the question “How Can You Protect Yourself From Coronavirus?” by recommending products it sells. According to the company, “[S]tudies are also finding that high doses of antioxidants – in particular, vitamin C – can help not only prevent, but also treat coronavirus.”

Dr. Nuzum’s Nutraceuticals.  In marketing materials titled Coronavirus, COVID-19, the Idaho business promoted its products as “natural methods to combat this virus . . . .”

Dr. Ronald Hoffman.  On a website with the heading Coronavirus treatment and prevention strategies, the New York office described products it sells – including melatonin, nitric oxide, and Beta glucans – as “the most plausible natural therapies for COVID-19.”

Energy Wellness Products.  Under the title Natural Virus Remedies – Coronavirus – Support and Prevention, the Indiana company listed “natural virus remedies” it sells as having “strong scientific evidence to support their efficacy.”

Feelin 02 Good.  The New York company promoted its treatments by claiming, “Ozone Therapy is now becoming an effective treatment for COVID-19.”

Gordon Medical.  Among other therapies, the California business advertised its in-office “Nebulized Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) as a Preventative and Treatment for Covid-19.”

Hansen Clinic of Natural Medicine.  In marketing materials titled Coronavirus Fears & Prevention, the Arizona clinic said its PhytoBiotic product contains an ingredient that works “by blocking the release and spread of the virus within the body.”

Health Remedies.  The Florida business promoted an array of products on its website under the heading Coronavirus and Your Immune System: How to Reduce Your Risk.

Herbs Rosalee.  Under the heading Herbs to Consider for Coronavirus, the Washington-based affiliate marketer included links where consumers could buy Astragalus root, Codonopsis root, elderberry, and mushrooms.

Holgistic Personalized Healthcare / Natural Care Institute.  In a Facebook post, the Michigan office offered a discount on Vitamin C infusions for healthcare workers and first responders, and linked to an article that described high-dose intravenous Vitamin C as a regimen that “should be included in the treatment of COVID-19 and used as a preventative measure for susceptible populations such as healthcare workers with higher exposure risks.”

Hunter’s Natural Health.  The Maryland company promoted its iodine and quercetin product as a way to “Boost your immune system in response to the coronavirus” and “deactivate viruses, bacterias and other microbes . . . .”

iCRYO.  Citing what’s being done “to tackle COVID-19 in China and other infected places around the world,” the Houston company promoted its Vitamin C and Zinc intravenous infusions with the statement “This method is so potent that it is being used to tackle COVID-19 as a recommended measure.”

iMRS2000 and Bryant Meyers.  In YouTube videos, the Florida business promoted the sale of pulsed electromagnetic field devices by touting “nine ways how PEMF therapy can help you fight the Coronavirus.”

Jill’s Home Remedies.  In marketing materials titled Natural Prevention for Coronavirus, the Missouri business promoted its products by claiming, “When encountering any illness, such a COVID 19, it’s important to strengthen your immune system. . . . Does this guarantee that you won’t get sick? No. But there’s a greater chance that you won’t, and that if you do, the sickness will be much less severe.”

Lemus Natural.  When consumers clicked a “Beat the Coronavirus” button on the Florida company’s website, they were taken to a page titled COVID-19: Prevention Tips that promotes a product called Immun-I-Can.

Lilac Corp.  In promoting products called Gene-Eden-VIR and Novirin, the New York company said on its website, “Lilac Corp specializes in natural, broad-spectrum treatments that target viruses, including the Coronaviruses, and specifically COVID-19.”

LotusRain Naturopathic Clinic.  The San Diego clinic promoted “In-Clinic Preventative Options” for preventing COVID-19, including “High Dose Vitamin C IV’s,” “Hydrogen Peroxide IV’s” and “AVACEN – Advanced Vascular Circulation Enhancement.”

Meta-Labs, Inc.  On a webpage labeled COVID 19 – DEFENSE PRODUCT, the Georgia business stated “With the coronavirus spreading across the world, we need to know effective natural anti-viral herbs and dietary supplements.” The company claims the compound Curcumin “has antiviral properties that help block viruses and acts at an early step in virus infection.”

Mind & Body Acupuncture.  Among other treatments, the California business promoted “a powerful herb – Tiger Cane,” claiming that experts in China have found it “has strongest effect for Anti coronavirus.”

Mulberry Leaf Acupuncture and Herbs.  Based in California, the company claimed to offer “Chinese Medicine to help defeat COVID-19.”

Nature’s Best Relief, Inc.  In a Facebook post, the Colorado company claimed, “Viral infections, like Coronavirus / COVID19, influenza, and colds can result in days of downtime, or even worse. Help your body fight viral infections and strengthen your immune system with our ULTRA Viral Resist. . . . #virus #socialdistancing #coronavirus #COVID #COVID19 #naturalhealth #CBD #anitviral #wuhanvirus”

Naturopathic European Medical Centre LLC.  On its The COVID-19 Virus: What You Need to Know page, the Wisconsin office claimed that “using high doses of vitamin C to both prevent and combat virus-caused illnesses is well-established science” and “[z]inc is known to inhibit the replication (growth) of viruses, including coronavirus.”

Naturopathic Health Care.  In offering “COVID-19 Thoughts and Recommendations,” the Connecticut office claimed that products it sells – including homeopathic remedies and ones containing zinc, elderberry, and Echinacea – can or treat prevent the illness.

Nicole Apelian. On a webpage selling “Turkey Tail” tincture, the marketer recommended that consumers combine the product with other items sold on the site “to stay healthy while the Corona Virus is emerging.”

NutrientCures.com.  In marketing materials titled What Supplements Can Fight Coronavirus, the company listed a number of products it sells, including lauricidin, colloidal silver, and an elderberry derivative called sambucus.

OrganyLife.  The Texas company claimed on Instagram that “HORSE MILK can help to recover from RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS such as COVID-19 & increases IMMUNE SYSTEM quicker . . . . ”

Plum Dragon Herbs.  The Maryland company claimed that its “Wen Bing Defense formula, Huang Qin Extract and Wildcrafted Osha Root Extract may continue to provide beneficial support against COVID-19.”

Premilife.  On the Israel-based company’s site, the link “Click Here For the Coronavirus Treatment” took consumers to a page that said “Based on the individual homeopathic constituents of Umabaxin, therapeutical possibilities result for the treatment of Coronavirus Infections.”

Puredia.  In promoting its products, the California company cited the example of “a family of 7 in Spain who were all diagnosed with COVID-19. The mother has been taking CyanthOx™ for 6 months and remains the only one free of symptoms.”

Spooky2Scalar.  The Chinese company promoted its scalar treatment device by claiming “You can also protect yourself and your family members from COVID-19 by applying the COVID-19 frequencies to scalar field with Spooky2 Scalar.”

StuphCorp.  In promoting a nebulizer that could be used for a “Hydrogen Peroxide At-Home Treatment Against Coronavirus,” the Nevada company claimed that “Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is known for its bactericidal, virucidal, sporicidal, and fungicidal properties” and has recommended “nebulizing hydrogen peroxide during this pandemic.”

The Raw Food World.  In a YouTube video, the California company promoted its Angstrom Silver product by claiming that “many people are actually using it for Coronavirus.” The company also cited a clinical study purporting to show “it is actually very effective against the SARs virus which is actually a component of the Coronavirus.”

The Stern Method.  In advertising ozone therapy, the Utah company claimed, “Ozone gas has been proven to kill the SARS coronavirus, and since the structure of the new 2019-nCoV coronavirus is almost identical to that of the SARS coronavirus, it is relatively safe to say that it will also work on the new coronavirus.”

Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic.  In promoting its products and services, the Colorado clinic stated, “Early Large Dose Intravenous Vitamin C is the Treatment Choice of 2019-nCov.” In addition, the clinic claimed, “Of the natural compounds screened, 13 that exist in traditional Chinese medicines were found to have potential anti-2019-nCoV activity.”

Vidl Wellness.  For consumers who want to “Boost Your Immune System to Help Avoid Coronavirus COVID-19,” the Virginia business advised them to “stock up on immune-boosting plant-based supplements” it sold, including a blend of honeysuckle, Chinese skullcap, forsythia, and shuanghuanglian advertised to “inhibit” the virus.

Vital Source Natural Medicine.  Under the heading Coronavirus/COVID-19 information, the Washington company advised people who “become sick” that it uses “homeopathy, herbal medicine, hydrotherapy, and nutrition” to treat “viruses in general, flu-like viruses in particular, fevers, as well as lung infections and cough.”

Viva Healthy Life-Philadelphia Holistic/Homeopathic Clinic.  The clinic claimed to offer “Chinese Herbal Remedies” that are “Scientifically Proved natural remedies for coronavirus,” citing the herbs Fructus forsythia, Lonicerae Japonicae Flos, Rhizoma Atractylodis, and Macrocephalae “for prevention or treatment for Coronavirus 2020.”

The warning letters, according to the FTC, remind recipients that because no study is currently known to exist that substantiates their COVID-19 representations, they “must immediately cease making all such claims.” FTC staff also expects to hear from recipients within 48 hours, describing the actions they’ve taken to address the FTC’s concerns.  The letters also note that if the false claims do not cease, the FTC may seek a federal court injunction and an order requiring money to be refunded to consumers.

Last month, the FTC announced its first case against a marketer of such products, Marc Ching, doing business as Whole Leaf Organics. The FTC previously sent warning letters to sellers of vitamins, herbs, colloidal silver, teas, essential oils, and other products pitched as scientifically proven COVID-19 treatments or preventatives. The FTC also recently announced letters targeting general therapy products, supplements, and herbal treatments. The latest round of letters went to the marketers of more esoteric products and services, including nebulizers, naturopathic and homeopathic treatments, hydrotherapy, and freeze-dried horse milk.

Warning Letter Recipients Grouped By Type Of Therapy, Product Or Service “Pitched” As Preventing Or Treating COVID-19 
Supplements and Chinese Herbal Treatments
Acupuncture
Homeopathic Treatments
Nebulizers
Ozone and Intravenous (IV) Therapies/Hydrotherapy
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy and Scalar Frequencies

Source: Federal Trade Commission – FTC.gov

Kehoe Law Firm, P.C.