FTC Settles Home Anthrax Test Case
By DAVID HO
.c The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal regulators have settled deceptive advertising charges against the marketers of a do-it-yourself anthrax test kit and a dietary supplement touted as curing hundreds of deadly diseases.
``These companies used inaccurate and unfounded claims to sell peace of mind,'' said Howard Beales, the FTC's director consumer protection. ``They tried to cash in on consumer anxiety.''
The agency said Vital Living Products Inc. has agreed to stop marketing its ``PurTest Anthrax Test,'' which was advertised as an accurate and effective home test for detecting anthrax in air, water and on surfaces. The FTC investigation prevented the kits from reaching consumers, Beales said.
The FTC said the Matthews, N.C.-based company made false claims, including statements that the kit had been tested by a laboratory and found to work.
In a second case, Kris Pletschke, the operator of the Raw Health Web site, agreed to stop making unproven claims that his colloidal silver product could treat or cure 650 different diseases, including anthrax, Ebola and flesh-eating bacteria, the FTC said. Pletschke, based in Beaverton, Ore., is also prohibited from making false health claims about any product and must offer refunds to consumers who bought the colloidal silver.
Pletschke and lawyers for Vital Living did not immediately return calls seeking comment. By settling, both don't admit breaking the law.
Since the Sept. 11 hijackings and subsequent anthrax attacks, the FTC has been working with the Food and Drug Administration and law enforcement officials in 30 states to scour the Internet for misleading claims. The agency found more than 200 sites selling bioterrorism-related products.
Since November, the FTC has sent e-mail warnings to the operators of more than 120 Web sites that peddled questionable products for treating and protecting against anthrax, smallpox and other potential biological weapons. The ineffective remedies included dietary supplements such as oregano oil and zinc mineral water.
Nearly two-thirds of the warned sites have removed their suspect claims, the agency said.
On the Net:
FTC health fraud guidelines: ftc.gov
AP-NY-02-27-02 1205EST |
