Makers of Airborne cough up $30M for false advertising claims

As part of a whopping $30 million settlement with the Federal Trade Commission, the makers of Airborne may have to grant refunds to millions of consumers who purchased their highly popular cold remedies. The settlement charges that Airborne did not have adequate evidence to support its advertising claims. "There is no credible evidence that Airborne products, taken as directed, will reduce the severity or duration of colds, or provide any tangible benefit for people who are exposed to germs in crowded places," said Lydia Parnes, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.

We've been skeptical of Airborne's claims since 2006. In a more recent blog about misleading packages, we advise consumers to leave over-the-counter products that are labeled homeopathic on the shelf.

Read more on what we say about homeopathic drugs, and to apply for a refund for Airborne product purchases, visit www.airbornehealthsettlement.com.

Comments

[KimJSCP]

I strongly disagree with this post. I understand the reasoning behind the settlement. Although the definition of credible can be debated, I believe that from what I have read, not too many people would consider the study they used as "credible evidence".

That said though - I find that Airborne works great. In fact, everyone I know who has tried it has at least had some success with it. I didn't really expect it to work and certainly not so well. But, people I trust liked it and so I agreed to give it a try.

I find that when I feel a cold starting (scratchy throat, runny nose, sneezing, headache and over all yucky feeling) I start taking Airborne and my cold goes away. Sometimes it takes just a few doses over a couple of hours, but never more than a day to be mostly better and 2 days to be symptom free.

The biggest problem is that sometimes it works so fast, I forget I ever felt bad and then forget to keep taking it. If I don't take it for a day or two after I am symptom free, the cold will come back.

I have not had any luck with Zicam, although I may not have given it a fair try.

Now while I realize my evidence is anecdotal, I also believe there is no way Consumer Reports actually tested this without ar least some positive results.

Additionally, I am really disappointed in Consumer Reports for saying "We've been skeptical" and "leave over-the-counter products that are labeled homeopathic on the shelf." While I realize you do not feel Airborne has not provided you with credible evidence it works, credible evidence has been provided time and time again that Zinc, an ingredient in Airborne, does lessen the severity of a cold and shortens the duration.

Even if nothing else in Airborne had a helpful effect, the other ingredients are highly unlikely to lessen the effect of Zinc and therefore, Airborne would offer some benefit just with the zinc alone.

FYI - I have found Airborne much more effective than zinc alone.

[isaac martin]

I think this is out rajous how they just made a product with probably with out testing it!!!