The FDA has done it again. Public health is sacrificed over the need to make more money. Flu vaccines have been vigorously promoted as the only true remedy against the flu. Internet distributors of dietary supplements have received letter from U.S. health officials trying to scare them from promoting “so-called” natural flue fighting remedies.
This letter was posted on the FDA website discouraging people from using herbal supplements and warning of pretensious claims made by the makers of these supplements. The Chicago Tribune reported that government health officials in a letter to a company called Supplementality LLC stated that the supplemets’ distributors were making claims about these products (their ability to treat or cure flue viruses) that were deceiving.
Gary Coody, the FDA’s National health coordinator, told the newspaper that “there are no over-the-counter products that shorten the duration or severity of the flu”.
In the statement, the FDA warns about the following products: resveratrol, echinacea, elderberry, garlic, astragalus immune support system and ashwagandha. Additionally, the warning letters were received by Oasis Consumer Healthcare LLC, Secure Medical Inc, Sun Drug Store, Vitalmax Vitamins, The University of Berkley, Discount Online Pharmacy, Kosher Vitamin Express and Medsnoscript,
This has been a severe flu season making people search for various alternatives (natural flu remedies) to stay healthy. Thus, it does not come as a surprise that FDA regulators tried to interfere with people making a possible shift to a healthier remedy. There is a lot of money to be made during flu season for the government, and loosing potential consumers is not on their agenda.
Sources:
http://www.chicagotribune.com
