WASHINGTON DC (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are warning the public to be mindful of companies making false claims on products that can protect or cure coronavirus (COVID-19).

The FDA said in a statement they are “particularly concerned that products that claim to cure, treat or prevent serious diseases like COVID-19 may cause consumers to delay or stop appropriate medical treatment, leading to serious and life-threatening harm.”

The FDA and FTC jointly issued warning letters to seven companies making such claims:
Vital Silver
Quinessence Aromatherapy Ltd.
Xephyr, LLC doing business as N-Ergetics
GuruNanda, LLC
Vivify Holistic Clinic
Herbal Amy LLC
The Jim Bakker Show

The products cited in these warning letters are teas, essential oils, tinctures and colloidal silver.

There are currently no vaccines or drugs approved to treat or prevent COVID-19.

The FDA has established a cross agency task force in an effort to closely monitor social media, online marketplaces, and incoming complaints. The task force has enlisted the help of major retailers to seek assistance in monitoring products.

More than three dozen listings of fraudulent COVID-19 products have already been removed.

The FDA reminds consumers to “be cautious of websites and stores selling products that claim to prevent, mitigate, treat, diagnose or cure COVID-19. Fraudulent COVID-19 products may come in many varieties, including dietary supplements and other foods, as well as products purporting to be drugs, medical devices or vaccines. Products that claim to cure, mitigate, treat, diagnose or prevent disease, but are not proven safe and effective for those purposes, defraud consumers of money and can place consumers at risk for serious harm. Using these products may lead to delays in getting proper diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 and other potentially serious diseases and conditions.”

“The FDA considers the sale and promotion of fraudulent COVID-19 products to be a threat to the public health. We have an aggressive surveillance program that routinely monitors online sources for health fraud products, especially during a significant public health issue such as this one,” said FDA Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn, M.D.

For more information on the FDA task force visit their website.