The Federal Trade Commission is alerting consumers about the fact that some scammers are taking advantage of the public’s fears about Ebola.
For example, some are making claims that products containing ingredients such as silver, herbal oils, or snake venom can prevent or even cure Ebola.
Consequently, the Federal Trade Commission and the Food and Drug Administration sent a warning letter to Natural Solutions Foundation to make it clear that these unsubstantiated claims will not be tolerated.
The FTC wants consumers to know that there are no FDA-approved vaccines or drugs that will prevent or treat Ebola. The commission says there are experimental Ebola vaccines and treatments in the works, but that they have not been through complete testing for safety or effectiveness, and the supply is limited.
“There are no approved vaccines, drugs, or products specifically for Ebola available for purchase online or in stores. No dietary supplements can claim to prevent or cure Ebola, according to the supplements industry,†says the FTC.
If you happen to see a product with a claim that it can cure or treat Ebola, report the manufacturer to the FTC and FDA.