TO:
RE:	NOTICE OF POTENTIAL ILLEGAL MARKETING OF PRODUCTS OR THERAPIES TO PREVENT, TREAT, OR CURE ANTHRAX, SMALLPOX, OR OTHER DISEASES OR HEALTH HAZARDS: IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED
DATE:

 

Your Web Site claims that a product or therapy you sell is effective in the treatment or cure of anthrax, smallpox, or another disease or health hazard that may be associated with recent reports about threats of terrorism. We are aware of no scientific basis for such claims. Without competent and reliable scientific evidence to substantiate these claims, the claims are illegal under the Federal Trade Commission Act and must be discontinued immediately. Violations of the FTC Act may result in legal action in the form of Federal District Court Injunction or Administrative Order. An order also may require that you pay money back to consumers.

In addition, if you are marketing a dietary supplement, be aware that FDA prohibits any labeling claims that a dietary supplement is intended to prevent, mitigate, treat, or cure anthrax, smallpox, or any other disease under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act as amended by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994. Such claims would require that the product be submitted for FDA approval as a new drug. Also, representatives of the dietary supplement industry have issued a joint news release stating that dietary supplements should not be promoted as a remedy or cure for anthrax and that no dietary supplements have been proven to treat or prevent anthrax. The joint statement of the American Herbal Products Association, Consumer Healthcare Products Association, Council for Responsible Nutrition, National Nutritional Foods Association, and Utah Natural Products Alliance is attached.

FTC investigators have copied and preserved the pages of your online promotional materials and will be revisiting your Web site soon. If your Web site includes any express of implied claim about the benefit of any product or therapy for anthrax, smallpox, or other disease that is not substantiated by competent and reliable scientific evidence, or is otherwise deceptive or fraudulent, you must discontinue these claims immediately.

Please notify us via electronic mail to cureall@ftc.gov within 7 days of the specific actions you have taken to address the agency's concerns.