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Recalls & Warnings
ConsumerLab.com is keeping you informed with current product recalls and warnings.
Posted January 16, 2018
Marketers of CellAssure and Cognify Settle FTC Charges of Deceptive Cancer Claims
CellAssure is a nutritional drink which was marketed to treat cancer-related malnutrition. It was described as having "anti-cancer and anti-tumor properties," and promoted with statements such as "specifically addresses the malnutrition suffered by over 80% of all cancer patients." A one-month supply cost $248.
(See ConsumerLab.com's Review of Protein Powders, Shakes, and Drinks for tests of related products.)
Cognify was promoted to treat "chemo fog," or cognitive dysfunction related to cancer treatment. It was advertised through a YouTube video featuring a breast cancer patient who claimed that Cognify helped her "remember the names of places and people and things" and to "think more clearly." It cost $79 for a one-month supply.
(See ConsumerLab.com's answer to the question Do any supplements really help with brain function, like memory and cognition? >>)
According to the FTC's complaint, CellMark's claims about the products were not supported by adequate scientific evidence. (The company also received an advisory letter from the FDA in 2017 noting that statements made about CellAssure were drug claims.) The settlement prohibits CellMark from engaging in similar conduct in the future. The settlement also requires CellMark to have "competent and reliable scientific evidence to support health claims for any product" and bars them from "misrepresenting the results of any study, test, or scientific research" in the future.
See Related Warnings:
Health Research Labs Agrees to Settle FTC Charges of False Claims, Deceptive Marketing of BioTherapex and NeuroPlus
Marketers of Weight Loss System Agree to Settle FTC Charges of Deceptive Claims
Seller of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Settles FTC Charges of False Advertising
No Evidence Supplement Can Reverse or Prevent Gray Hair, Says FTC
To read the FTC's full news release, use the link below.
Report a Problem
If you have experienced an unexpected and adverse reaction to a dietary supplement, nutritional product, or generic drug, we would like to hear about it, as we may investigate the problem. Please select from one of these options:
Dietary Supplement or Nutritional Product Problem Report
If you believe that a dietary supplement (e.g., vitamin, mineral, or herbal supplement) or other nutritional product has caused an unexpected, adverse reaction, we would like to know about it. We are collecting and organizing this information and may publish it. We might test the product in the future. You may also want to report the problem to the U.S. FDA through their Safety Reporting Portal at https://www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov.
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Generic Drug Problem Report
If you believe that a generic drug has not acted like the original drug, we would like to know about it. We are collecting and organizing this information and may publish it. We might test the product in the future. You may also want to report the problem to the U.S. FDA through their MedWatch program at the FDA MedWatch website.
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