FDA Takes Aim at COVID-19 Claims

The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has released a new round of warning letters sent to companies marketing products and making claims related to coronavirus treatments. The newest letters target companies selling copper discs that would work like bar of soap, CBD and essential oils and oral care products. 

Copper Touch, LLC, Branch, MN, has been issued a warning letter for statements made  on its website (https://coppertouch.com) regarding  its Sani-Bar GK95 and Sani-Disc GK95D products. The firm, according to FDA’s letter said that these products were intended to mitigate, prevent, treat, diagnose, or cure COVID-19 in people. 

According to FDA, claims that the company made on its website included: 
• “Examples of Microbes Killed by our CopperTouch Products Include . . . Coronaviruses.” 
• “Is copper effective against coronaviruses? . . . In a recent study by US health organizations, copper was shown to be more effective than any other surface tested at deactivating (killing) the HCoV-19 coronavirus.”
• “Because we do not have access to the actual HCoV-19 corona virus cells, based on the research reports and our knowledge of the manner in which copper kills germs (including bacteria and viruses), we do believe that CopperTouch will be effective in killing it.”
• “We believe there is adequate research to show that copper kills coronaviruses, including the most recent stories to hit the media which back up the kill of HCoV19 and also indicating that copper killed HCoV19 faster than it killed SARS.”

A UK-based company, Nova Botanix, was sent a warning letter following a review of its website (https://canabd.com) on April 10, 2020, and April 14, 2020, as well as on social media, for marketing CBD oil as a way to mitigate, prevent, treat, diagnose, or cure COVID-19.

Earth Angel Oils, Porter, TX, has also received a letter from FDA following a review of its website (www.earthangeloils.com) on March 25, 2020. The FDA observed that the company’s website was offering essential oils intended to mitigate, prevent, treat, diagnose, or cure COVID-19 . The agency said that the company’s claims included the following statements: “The immune-building, antiviral essential oil blends in this category are beneficial for prevention and treatment of Wuhan Corona Virus, and also help to protect against flu, respiratory and other antibiotic-resistant viruses. . . . All antiviral blends in this category are featured at 60% Off to allow wide distribution during flu season and also for protection against the rapidly expanding Corona Virus epidemic SARS-CoV-2.”

Accoring to FDA, another claim made by eearth Angel Oils included: “Best essential oils to Fight Corona Viruses & Flu . . . the most important essential oils to protect against Corona Viruses are Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus radiata, Cinnamon, Clove, Frankincense, Ginger, Grapefruit, Lemongrass, Rosemary & Tea Tree. . . . Other essential oils known to be effective in fighting positive-stranded RNA viruses including those which are active against SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) & other Corona Viruses, include Bay Laurel, Lavender, Oregano & Myrrh.”

Further, FDA said Earth Angel Oils also claimed the following: “[O]n the Corona virus epidemic, the key concept is prevention. Rub on top of the feet, wrists, and chest; spritz & diffuse.” 

Earthley Wellness (dba Modern Alternative Mama LLC) Columbus, OH, was cited by FDA for claims made on online such as “Immune Support Collection . . . Worried about your family coming down with colds, flu – coronavirus? Strengthen your immune systems to stay healthy naturally, with our Immune Support Collection! . . . Elderberry Elixir . . . Immune-Aid Vitamin C Powder . . . Good Night Lotion . . . Vitamin D Cream . . . Nourish Me Naturally.”
 
In addition, FDA said another company claim made by Earthley Wellness was: “Continuously supporting your immune system should be an ongoing habit to help prevent you or your family from getting sick. Strengthen your immune system naturally to help fight off the possibility of you or your family getting the coronavirus with our powerful Immune Support Collection!” Below this claim is a graphic displaying your “Vitamin D Cream,” “Nourish Me Naturally,” “Immune Aid,” “Good Night Lotion,” and “Elderberry Elixir” products. 

Lastly, controversial political figure Alexander E. Jones of Infowars was also flagged by FDA for touting unapproved and misbranded products related to COVID-19 on its website, www.infowarsstore.com on March 26, 2020 and April 6, 2020, respectively, as well as www.infowars.com and www.banned.video. 

Products that Jones promoted included Superblue Silver Immune Gargle, SuperSilver Whitening Toothpaste, SuperSilver Wound Dressing Gel and Superblue Fluoride Free Toothpaste. 

In a video posted on March 3, 2020 (“Alex Jones Deep States: Using Coronavirus Fear and Panic To Destroy Our Country) FDA noted that Jones made the following statement: “[R]egardless of how deadly this virus is . . . if it kills you, it's bad news. So, I would advise listeners, just for your everyday life anyway to boost your immune system. We have the products that are documented on record to be good for your body. I mean Nano Silver is on record taking out viruses and bacteria. It's in our entire line of high quality silver products and it's patented, it's amazing, it’s in the Super Silver Wound gel, it’s in the Super Silver Toothpaste, it is in the Super Blue Toothpaste . . . we’re very close to selling out in infowarsstore.com . . . ” 

Additional statements in other videos included: “I’m not going to belabor this, I’m just gonna tell ya, that for just your daily life, and your gums and your teeth and for regular viruses and bacteria, the patented Nano Silver we have, the Pentagon has come out and documented, and homeland security have said this stuff kills the whole SARS corona family, at point blank range. Well of course it does, it kills every virus. But they found that, this is 13 years ago, and the Pentagon uses the product we have. And the product we have in private label is about to be in Walmart . . . the Nano Silver toothpaste in the Superblue with the tea tree and the iodine, that’s the Superblue’s amazing, and we have the whitening toothpaste that has the Nano Silver and a lot more as well . . .they are at infowarsstore.com.”