FTC Halts Bogus Cancer Cures
Source: Federal Trade Commission

Mary T. Spohn, individually and doing business as Herbs for Cancer – The FTC’s administrative complaint alleged that Spohn marketed Chinese herbal teas that purportedly treated and cured many different types of cancer. After Spohn failed to respond to the complaint, the Administrative Law Judge issued an order on default judgment and initial decision against her on November 5, 2008. After Spohn failed to appeal, the judge’s order and initial decision became the final order and decision of the Commission. The final FTC Order prohibits false and deceptive claims that the products treat or cure cancer or have other health benefits.
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Native Essence Herb Company – According to the FTC’s administrative complaint, Native Essence Herb Company and its principals violated federal law by making unsubstantiated claims that herbal concoctions such as a variety of essiac tea blends (including blends containing cat’s claw), Maitake mushroom extracts, and the herb chaparral were effective for treating and curing a variety of cancers, eliminating or shrinking tumors, and preventing breast cancer. In addition, the complaint alleged that the company falsely claimed scientific studies had proven that some of the challenged products were effective.

According to the proposed settlement announced today, Native Essence Herb Company and its principals, Mark J. and Marianne Hershiser, are prohibited from representing that their products prevent, treat, or cure any type of cancer unless the representation is true, non-misleading, and supported by competent and reliable scientific evidence.

This entry was posted on Monday, April 6th, 2009 at 6:40 pm and is filed under Diseases and conditions, Ethics, Government and politics, Health and healthcare, Legal and law enforcement. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.