Jim WinsettQ. I see advertising for health products to protect against the Ebola virus. Is this legitimate?
A. News about the spread of the deadly Ebola virus is frightening. Even as we have compassion for the victims; many worry, and speculate where else will it strike? Could we or loved ones contract Ebola? Better Business Bureau's experience shows that bogus health products and unproven claims crop up when there's a high level of fear about a disease. BBB files are full of extreme examples. In the 1950s, one promoter offered an "Atomotrone" device to make "irradiated water" at home to cure "irregular heart action, blood clot in the brain, tumors, etc." The inventor was convicted of mail fraud after BBB showed the device was just a box with colored lights.
Now, preying on fears of Ebola, offers are turning up for "unapproved and fraudulent products" to prevent or treat Ebola, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. An alert issued Aug. 14 stated, "FDA has seen and received consumer complaints about a variety of products claiming to either prevent the Ebola virus or treat the infection." Despite these claims, "there are currently no FDA-approved vaccines or drugs to prevent or treat Ebola ... There are no approved vaccines, drugs, or investigational products specifically for purchase on the Internet," said FDA officials.
What about the experimental vaccines that have been in the news? The public may hope to get some of those vaccines, but that wouldn't be any time soon. "These investigational products are in the early stages of product development, have not yet been fully tested for safety or effectiveness, and the supply is very limited," FDA officials said.
Consumers are also warned against any claims that a dietary supplement could help prevent or treat Ebola. According to FDA officials, "By law, dietary supplements cannot claim to prevent or cure disease." The truth is Ebola does not pose a significant risk to the U.S. public, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But it's just when fear is high that unproven, fraudulent products appear, CDC officials said.
FDA is monitoring for bogus products and false claims, and will take appropriate action if claims aren't corrected or removed. Consumers who have seen fraudulent products or false claims relating to Ebola can report them to FDA, and can also inform BBB.
BBB and FDA offer these tips to recognize fraudulent health products. Be wary of these red flags:
One product does it all. Be suspicious of products that claim to cure a wide range of diseases. No one product could be effective against a long, varied list of conditions or diseases.
Personal testimonials. Success stories are easy to make up and are not a substitute for scientific evidence.
Quick fixes. Few diseases or conditions can be treated quickly, even with legitimate products.
All natural. Some plants found in nature, such as poisonous mushrooms, can kill when consumed. Numerous "all natural" products contain hidden, untested or dangerous ingredients.
"Miracle cures." If a real cure for a serious disease were discovered, it would be widely reported through the news media and prescribed by health professionals--not buried in print ads, TV infomercials or on Internet sites.
Conspiracy theories. These statements are used to distract consumers from the obvious, common-sense questions about the so-called miracle cure.
BBB is a nonprofit organization that promotes truth in advertising by investigating questionable advertising claims, and asks advertisers to voluntarily substantiate, modify or discontinue those claims when appropriate. Most advertisers cooperate with BBB and adhere to the guidelines in the BBB Code of Advertising.
To report product advertising that may be false or misleading, visit www.bbb.org or the Food & Drug Administration at webcomplaints@ora.fda.gov.
Jim Winsett is president of the Better Business Bureau of Chattanooga.