Aug 15, 2008 11:05 am US/Eastern
Airborne Settles Suit, Offers $30M In Refunds
FTC: Maker Of Cold Supplement Falsely Claimed Product Fights Illness
BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. (CBS) ―
If you have used the popular anti-cold supplement "Airborne" you may be able to get your money back, CBS station WFOR-TV in Miami reports.
The Bonita Springs based company has agreed to settle a Federal Trade Commission deceptive advertising suit and offer $30 million in refunds.
According to the federal suit, there is no competent and reliable scientific evidence to support the claims made by Airborne's makers that the tablets can prevent or reduce the risk of colds or sickness; help fight germs or reduce the severity or duration of a cold.
The suit claims the company's founders, Victoria Knight-McDowell and Thomas John McDowell, made false claims that Airborne products are clinically proven to treat colds.
"There is no credible evidence that Airborne products, taken as directed, will reduce the severity or duration of colds, or provide any tangible benefit for people who are exposed to germs in crowded places," said Lydia Parnes, Director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection.
The class action settlement provides refunds for purchases of Airborne-branded products (including Airborne Effervescent Health Formula, Airborne On-the-Go, Airborne Power Pixies, Airborne Nighttime, Airborne Jr., Airborne Gummis, and Airborne Seasonal Relief) made between May 1, 2001 and November 29, 2007.
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