FDA warns about Web sites illegally selling unapproved H1N1 “swine” flu treatments
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has listed 40 Web sites that the FDA says are illegally selling unapproved products that claim to treat or prevent H1N1 “swine flu”.
Under U.S. law, a company cannot market a product with the claim it can diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure a disease unless it has obtained FDA approval.
One Web site on the list, www.resolveswineflu.com, for example, has been promoting a “complete flu detox” product called “Back to Health Minerals” that, the Web site claimed, “are 100% effective at ‘supporting your natural immune system in pushing out’ all viruses. Common colds and flu will ‘be pushed out’ in 48 hours if taken as recommended.”
Among the unapproved claims on the Website cited by the FDA in a warning letter to the company were:
• “RESOLVE SWINE FLU TODAY! PREVENT OR ELMINATE THE SWINE FLU VIRUS FROM YOUR SYSTEM”
• “One pack is enough for a family of four to prevent winter colds and influenza, including swine flu, if you have been exposed.”
• “If you currently have the Swine Flu you will need 1 complete detox per person.
• “By Purchasing ‘Resolve Swine Flu’ for your family and [sic] avoid contracting the virus, also if you or any of your family have contracted or suspect that you have the virus then you will be free of it once the steps have been completed as directed.”
• “If you have been exposed to the swine flu but do not yet have the virus you can take back to health minerals as a precaution for 3 days as directed in the instructions when you receive the product. The detox will eliminate any exposure of the virus out of your body.”
The product cost $99 plus a shipping fee of $50 for 48-hour delivery and $25 for 5 – 10 day delivery.
Today, the site’s homepage has been replaced by a “down for maintenance” message.
To learn more:
- Visit the FDA’s list of Web sites selling unapproved H1N1 “swine flu” products: Fraudulent 2009 H1N1 Influenza Products List.
- Read the FDA’s warning letter to www.resolveswineflu.com
- Read the FDA’s warning to consumers about fraud related to the H1N1 influenza outbreak.
- Read the FDA’s tips on how to spot health fraud: Health Fraud 101
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