FTC, FDA Actions Put Seasilver Makers Out of Business

FTC, FDA Actions Put Seasilver Makers Out of Business

WASHINGTONCompanies selling a liquid supplement purported to aidwith conditions as diverse as AIDS and obesity had product seized forunsubstantiated claims on product labels and literature. On June 13, the FederalTrade Commission (FTC) filed a complaint with the U.S. District Court in Nevadaagainst Carlsbad, Calif.-based Seasilver USA Inc. and its subsidiary, AmericaloeInc., stating the companies were making false and unsubstantiated claims. Thecompanies, due to the expenses involved with changing labels, substantiallycurtailed operations, according to a Seasilver press release.

Seasilver is a liquid multivitamin, mineral, amino acid supplement containingaloe vera, phytosilver (reportedly a plant-based silver), sea vegetables,Pau DArco and cranberry concentrate. FTC reported the defendants promotedSeasilver as a safe and effective way to treat or cure 650 diseases, such ascancer. FTC was granted a temporary restraining order that prohibits thecompanies from selling or distributing product until labeling changes have beenmade.

In a June 19 FTC press release, the agency reported it and the Food and DrugAdministration (FDA) combined forces to combat the fraudulent claims thesecompanies were making. On June 16, U.S. Marshalls, acting on behalf of FDA,seized 132,480 bottles totaling $5.3 million from the companies headquarters.

This is the sort of intolerable health fraud I had in mind when Iannounced six months ago that the FDA will take vigorous actions against firmsthat prey on consumers and patients by selling worthless dietary supplements ascures for serious and chronic diseases and conditions, said Mark B.McClellan, M.D., Ph.D., FDA commissioner.

This is not the first time Seasilver has had a run-in with FDA; as recentlyas December 2002, FDA cited the company for using improperly cleaned equipmentand for permitting employees to work the production line in street clothes. Andin April 2002, FDA wrote Berkes, threatening regulatory action if the companydid not stop making unsubstantiated claims on its product.