The US government has filed a lawsuit against a Brooklyn-based store that has been marketing its herbal tea as a COVID-19 treatment.
According to the Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Food and Drug Administration, the lawsuit argues that the marketer of Earth Tea utilized deceptive and harmful marketing practices to push its products online.
The Lawsuit has named B4B Earth Tea LLC, B4B Corp., and its owner, Andrew Martin “Busta” Sinclair, as defendants.
“Without any scientific evidence, the defendants claimed that drinking their herbal tea is more effective in preventing COVID-19 than approved vaccines, and cures anyone who has gotten ill within 24 hours,” Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said in a statement.
“In bringing this matter with our partners at the Department of Justice and the Food and Drug Administration, the Commission continues its commitment to using every tool available to stop and deter those who would treat the pandemic as an opportunity to peddle bogus treatments.”
Some of the ads are as follows:
“B4B Corp is sharing a COVID-19 Update…Earth Tea works!! The all-natural instant immune booster clinical trials prove its [sic] effective against Covid19.”
“Our Clinical Trial was successful. So successful we are offering a Money Back Guarantee against covid-19. If two bottles do not get you negative, you will get your money back.”
“Our Goal is Zero Death, Zero Ventilator, Zero Suffering, Zero Hospitalization, Zero Long Haulers. Is that possible? Our first Clinical Trial Report will show that Nature Rules! Watch us lead the fight against #Covid19 with the world’s most powerful natural Supplement!”
Although the company cites a 15-person study conducted in India, the FTC dismisses the results since there is no control group and the results were never published in a reputable scientific journal.
“Products like this may delay patients from seeking proven treatments from their health care provider,” said Judy McMeekin, Pharm.D., FDA’s Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs. “Preying on patients’ vulnerabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic is unacceptable. The FDA will continue to actively monitor the U.S. market for any companies or individuals falsely marketing products with claims it prevents or treats COVID-19, and will take actions against those who violate the law and endanger patients.”
