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Cold 'Remedy' Firm Settles Suit for $23M

Airborne ends class action with promise of consumer refunds

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 4, 2008 3:10 PM CST

(Newser) – Herbal supplement company Airborne will pay $23.3 million to settle a class-action suit alleging false advertising but won't say it did anything wrong, CNNMoney reports. At issue was the company's claim its pills could cure colds. Airborne denies “any wrongdoing or illegal conduct,” but it will give customers their money back, said the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a plaintiff.

“Airborne is basically an overpriced, run-of-the-mill vitamin pill that's been cleverly, but deceptively, marketed,” said a CSPI nutritionist. Airborne’s website says the pill “boosts the immune system,” but “there’s no credible evidence” for that, said the nutritionist. The current claim replaced statements that Airborne cured colds after questions arose about clinical trials.

Herbal supplement company Airborne will settle a false-advertising suit for $23.3 million. The company will refund its customers, though it denies wrongdoing.
Herbal supplement company Airborne will settle a false-advertising suit for $23.3 million. The company will refund its customers, though it denies wrongdoing.   (Shutterstock.com)
Herbal supplement company Airborne had no credible evidence to support its cold-curing claims, said a nutritionist.
Herbal supplement company Airborne had "no credible evidence" to support its cold-curing claims, said a nutritionist.   (Shutterstock.com)
Airborne will settle a false-advertising suit for $23.3 million. The company had claimed its herbal supplement could prevent colds.
Airborne will settle a false-advertising suit for $23.3 million. The company had claimed its herbal supplement could prevent colds.   (Shutterstock.com)
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