California Sues & Wins: Airborne Doesn't Cure the Common Cold

Photo by katiescrapbooklady via Flickr

Airborne has agreed to pay $7 million, change their marketing and will change their formula after an agreement with 33 states who charged the "cold buster" for making false claims.

“Airborne dramatically misrepresented its products as cold remedies without any scientific evidence to back up its claims,” Attorney General Brown said today in a statement about California's settlement of $460,000. “Under this agreement, the company will stop advertisements that suggest that its products are a cure for the common cold.”

Even after studies, Airborne knew that major ingredients in their products--Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, and Zinc--did not prevent colds. They continued to market their product as a cold remedy, says the Attorney General's office. Even worse, they say, is that Airborne's dosage of Vitamin A is 5,000 international units and when taken as recommended, one would consume 15,000. That's a "potential health risk to vulnterable populations including children and pregnant women." The product will now carry 2,000 IUs.

But remember, mom knows best. Have some chicken soup.