FTC settles false advertising suit against low-level light therapy marketer with $22 million judgment
Per a settlement with the FTC, the marketers of Willow Curve, a low-level light therapy device costing hundreds of dollars, will have to stop making deceptive claims that the device treats chronic, severe pain and associated inflammation. Any health claims made for the device must be supported by "competent and reliable scientific evidence".
FTC warns naturopaths, acupuncturists, physicians, and chiropractors about false and misleading COVID-19 claims
Since March, the FTC has issued almost 250 warning letters to companies and individuals making unsubstantiated claims for COVID-19 treatments. Included among these are naturopaths, acupuncturists, physicians, and chiropractors.
Cell-cultured meat: Earth’s savior or just a $600 burger?
Cell-cultured meat raises may issues, including safety, environmental impact, cost, and our current technology's ability to manufacture it. Most importantly, when it finally hits the supermarket, will consumers buy it?
NewsGuard identifies social media “super-spreaders” of COVID-19 misinformation
NewsGuard has identified "super-spreaders" of COVID-19 misinformation on Facebook and Twitter, including Dr. Joseph Mercola, the NVIC, Rush Limbaugh, and Ty Bollinger.
Chinese government recommends bear bile for COVID-19
The Chinese Government is relentlessly promoting TCM for COVID-19, including a remedy containing bear bile, which is cruelly extracted from the gall bladders of living wild or "farmed" bears.
FDA issues new CBD safety warnings, calls for more research to guide regulation
The FDA recently warned the public about CBD health risks and urged further research. Meanwhile, special interest groups are pressing Congress and the FDA for quick action to allow CBD in dietary supplements and other consumer products.
Naturopaths exploit COVID-19 with unproven treatments and self-promotion
The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians endorses unproven IV Vitamin C as a COVID-19 therapy and pushes for inclusion of naturopaths in fighting SARS-CoV-2. Actually, naturopaths should sit this one out and let the doctors and nurses on the front lines have the PPE they are currently wasting administering bogus treatments.
Canadian authorities warn chiropractors and naturopaths against making false COVID-19 claims
Regulators in British Columbia are investigating bogus COVID-19 preventatives and issuing public alerts warning chiropractors and naturopaths against advertising information that is not evidence-based. Other Canadian and U.S. authorities should follow suit to protect the public against pseudoscience.
Chiropractors falsely claim they can protect patients from coronavirus
Chiropractors are falsely claiming that their spinal "adjustments" can protect people from coronavirus infection, as well as giving other dubious health advice on COVID-19. As they have with other bogus remedies, the media and government authorities should take action.
Quackademic medicine update: UC Irvine reneges on promise of scientific rigor
In 2017, UC Irvine promised that the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute would be "rigorously evidence-based". A recent review discovers plenty of pseudoscience.