Lilly, O'Toole & Brown Blog

Airborne Settles False Advertising Suit for $23.3 Million

The makers of Airborne, an herbal supplement that claims to ward off the common cold by boosting your immune system, have settled a false advertising lawsuit for $23.3 million. 

What did they do wrong?  The company didn't have a shred of evidence to back up their claim that their supplement could prevent the common cold.  Turns out the company had commissioned a single study into the effects of their drug, but the results were so poor that they wouldn't share them with anyone outside the company, says David Schardt, a senior nutritionist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Schardt says the drug was a simple mix of vitamins A, C, E, magnesium, zinc, selenium, herbs, and other ingredients.  The name "Airborne" comes from the claim that the combination of those vitamins and minerals is meant to prevent infection from airborne viruses and germs. 

The settlement, which admits no wrongdoing on the part of the drug maker, offers a refund of the purchase price to anyone who can prove they bought one or more Airborne products in the United States between May 1, 2007, and November 29, 2007.  Airborne has set up a website that explains their settlement.  On the site, you can fill out a claims form to recieve your money back.

Labels: