Health News

FTC, FDA send warning letters for false marketing claims

On Tuesday, the FTC and the FDA sent 3 warning letters to 3 firms that promote CBD products. The agencies said that these forms are making wrong claims about dealing illnesses such as Alzheimer’s and cancer.

FTC and FDA claim that 3 firms, including Advanced Pain and Spine, PitNetwork Holdings, and Nutra Pure, are falsely marketing the effectiveness of some supplements which contain CBD, also known as cannabidiol. The products are promoted under names like “Hemp Oil,” “Cannabidiol for pets, “CBD Oil,” and “Gold Gummies.” Nutra Pure, in particular, advertises that there is scientific research proving their claims of the effectiveness of CBD products in treating anti-seizure.

“According to these ads, the products could treat diseases effectively, including neuropsychiatric disorders, fibromyalgia, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer,” FTC and FDA jointly said in an announcement.

The letters direct the firms to notify the agencies of the specific measures taken to deal with the agency’s concerns within 15 days of letter receipt.

It is basically the first time the FTC and FDA have sent a warning letter jointly, but firms have had unproven CBD claims many times before. The FDA warned 4 firms in 2017 to prevent them from making unfounded claims that their marijuana and cannabis-based products would treat cancer. In 2018, the agency banned the use of cannabidiol in food products.

On Tuesday, however, the FDA announced that it will have the first public meeting on 31st, May to discuss how CBD could be safely used cosmetics, supplements, and food.

“We have heard, or seen of interest in, cannabis derivatives or cannabis-containing products which are promoted as cosmetics, animal drugs and foods, conventional foods, dietary supplements, and human drugs,” Dr. Scott Gottlieb – FDA Commissioner – said on Tuesday.

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is extracted from the hemp plant, which is a close relative to marijuana. Both plants are loaded with abundant forms of cannabinoids. However, marijuana contains more THC – the psychoactive chemical, whereas hemp is high in the non-psychoactive element or CBD.

CBD is sold widely as medicinal products in a wide range of products, such as baked goods, massage lotions, and CBD-infused lattes. However, there is still little proof that it can do anything to the human body. There has been so far one application of CBD that is approved by the FDA, and that is the treatment for 2 rare types of epilepsy.

Source:

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2019/04/ftc-joins-fda-sending-warning-letters-companies-advertising

Below are other symptoms that you may be interested in:

FDA Report Assesses Precision of Labeling CBD Products

Main Causes of Alzheimer You Need to Know

FDA Plans to Hold the First Hearing on the Regulation of Cannabidiol

Fibromyalgia – 12 Signs & Symptoms

Epilepsy – Symptoms & Causes