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Airborne Settles up for Its Dubious Health Claims

March 4, 2008 at 3:35 PM | by pbb | 5 Comments

Hey, did you totally buy the hype that Airborne could keep you from getting sick on a plane? Turns out it can't. And a non-profit group that sued the makers of the vitamin supplement wants you to get in on a $23.3 million settlement.

The Center for Science in the Public interest put out a release yesterday with its findings:

"There's no credible evidence that what's in Airborne can prevent colds or protect you from a germy environment," said CSPI senior nutritionist David Schardt, who reviewed Airborne's claims. "Airborne is basically an overpriced, run-of-the-mill vitamin pill that's been cleverly, but deceptively, marketed."

We never really bought the bogus health claims, but we did pick up a couple samples when we saw 'em in JFK once. (No harm in giving the stuff a go, right?) As for Airborne, after dolling out this cash, will the company be able to afford a Sundance swag lounge next year?

Related Stories:
· Airborne Settlement and Claim Site [Official Site]
· Airborne Agrees to Pay $23.3 Million Settlement [CSPI]
· Airborne to Pour the Bubbly at Sundance [Jaunted]

5 Comments

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Return to » Airborne Settles up for Its Dubious Health Claims

  1. rdmcgeorge

    Jaunted Member

    More egg on Oprah's face.

    First James Frey and now this.  Oprah needs to stop endorsing things.  My mother bought everyone in my friggin' family this Airborne stuff after Oprah sang its praises and now we learn it's a glorified Flinstones Chewable.

    Should have known that "Created by a School Teacher" meant it was crap.  From now on I only take supplements created by dental hygienists or soccer players.

    March 4, 2008 at 3:51 PM
    #Permalink

  1. pbb

    Jaunted Member

    HRC for the win, then?

    @rdmcgeorge, you thinking Obama won't sew things up today, then??
    March 4, 2008 at 3:59 PM
    Parent #Permalink

  1. rdmcgeorge

    Jaunted Member

    Speaking of ...

    ... the lady on the Airborne box sort of looks like HRC, no?

    Obama wins today.  On the Daily Show last night, however, HRC mentioned Pennsylvania, which I suppose means she is planning on sticking around.  Ugh.

    March 4, 2008 at 4:09 PM
    #Permalink

  1. Alex Sung

    Jaunted Member

    Lol

    @ some of the things that are coming out of this: Should have known that "Created by a School Teacher" meant it was crap. From now on I only take supplements created by dental hygienists or soccer players. From another source: The company didn't understand that if you're going to say your product has been clinically studied, 2 guys with a beaker set in their basement doesn't qualify. ---- So I can't trust two guys in a basement OR 2nd grade teachers for drugs anymore? How'm I gonna stop colds now?
    March 4, 2008 at 4:59 PM
    #Permalink

  1. DragonflyDreaming

    Jaunted Member

    Placebo effect?

    Gods, I took this ALL the time and like Oprah, shamelessly plugged it, forcing ALL my friends to buy it and try it. And then, one day, I gave it to my kids (they have a juvenile version, if the adult version is Flinstones, wonder what that makes the kiddie verson?) who both promptly spewed fizzy, pink liquid all over my kitchen floor. And then I got the flu....

    Sorry, but good ole' fashion chicken/vegetable soup is still the safest (cheapest) remedy/feel better remedy out there. And you don't need a school teacher to tell you THAT.

    :)

    March 4, 2008 at 5:35 PM
    #Permalink

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