FTC Approves Final Administrative Consent Order with Marketer of Product Falsely Claiming to Prevent or Treat COVID-19

FTC Approves Final Administrative Consent Order with Marketer of Product Falsely Claiming to Prevent or Treat COVID-19 Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final administrative consent order settling charges that a California-based marketer of a supplement called Thrive, which consists mainly of Vitamin C and herbal extracts, made baseless claims that it can treat, prevent, or reduce the risk of COVID-19. According to the FTC's April 2020 administrative complaint, since at least December 2018, Marc Ching, doing business as Whole Leaf Organics, advertised and sold Thrive online, through his Whole Leaf Organics website, and in March 2020 began marketing it as an "anti viral wellness booster" that treats, prevents, or reduces the risk of COVID-19. The complaint also alleged that Ching used his Whole Leaf Organics website to deceptively advertise and sell three CBD-containing products. The final order settling the complaint bars Ching's false and unsubstantiated health claims and requires him to send written notices to customers and retailers of Thrive explaining that it will not treat, prevent, or reduce the risk of COVID-19. He also must tell customers and retailers that the three CBD-containing products will not treat cancer. Finally, the letters must inform customers and retailers of his settlement with the FTC. The Commission vote approving the final consent order and letter to one public commenter was 3-1-1, with Commissioner Rohit Chopra dissenting and Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter not participating. (The staff contact is Amber Lee, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 202-326-2764.) The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about consumer topics and file a consumer complaint online or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357). Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, read our blogs, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources. Contact Information Contact For Consumers: Consumer Response Center 877-382-4357 Media Contact: Mitchell J. Katz Office of Public Affairs 202-326-2161 Related Cases Marc Ching, In the Matter of More news from the FTC >>    SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:  Manage Preferences  |  Unsubscribe  |  Help This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

 

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