Consumer Health Digest Archive (2004)

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Consumer Health Digest is a free weekly e-mail newsletter edited by Stephen Barrett, M.D., and cosponsored by NCAHF and Quackwatch. It summarizes scientific reports; legislative developments; enforcement actions; other news items; Web site evaluations; recommended and nonrecommended books; research tips; and other information relevant to consumer protection and consumer decision-making. William M. London, Ed.D, M.P.H., is associate editor. Items posted to this archive may be updated when relevant information becomes available.

Issue #04-52, December 28, 2004

High-tech screening promotions questioned
Phony detox device debunked
Acupuncturist facing insurance fraud charges
"Slim Chance" awards issued

Issue #04-51, December 21, 2004

Heavy metals found in ayurvedic herbals
Scientific panel supports amalgam use
Another review finds secretin ineffective against autism
FTC attacks bogus weight-loss skin patches

Issue #04-50, December 14, 2004

Nobel Prize winner involved in Herbalife scheme
BBB blasts Lorraine Day infomercial
"Abstinence-only" programs criticized
"Breast-enhancing" pills are unproven and pose risks

Issue #04-49, December 7, 2004

ACSH criticizes smoking coverage by women's magazines
WBAI terminates Gary Null radio program
Pennsylvania AG sues diploma mill
FTC charges ephedra and yohimbine marketers
Mail-order/online pharmacy guide published

Issue #04-48, November 30, 2004

Another argyria case reported
Hulda Clark associate barred from making false claims
Missouri sues home water treatment sellers for deceptive practices
Quack cancer product marketers ordered to stop
Dr. Stephen Edelson facing third autism-related lawsuit

Issue #04-47, November 23, 2004

Body wrap company told to improve sanitation and modify claims.
Clinical trial registry bill introduced
Unlicensed "naturopath" arrested in Utah
Infomercial scam video released
"Water cure" doctor dies
FTC issues "Consumer Alert" on free and low-cost prescription drug programs

Issue #04-46, November 16, 2004

Many federal employees found to have bogus credentials.
Court sides with Consumer Reports' criticism of Ionic Breeze
FDA asked to stop sale of dubious flu product
"7-Day Miracle Cleanse" debunked
"Cancer salve" distributor sentenced to prison.
FTC curbs another phony weight-control product

Issue #04-45 November 9, 2004

FTC blasts more diet-pill frauds
FTC sets up "teaser" site
Maine Attorney General attacks more weight-loss frauds
Nutrition certification board ignores legitimate complaints

Issue #04-44, November 2, 2004

Balance Bracelet marketers agree to stop unsubstantiated claims
Court dismisses "frivolous" attempt to block medical disciplinary proceedings
Food labels can discuss relationship between olive oil consumption and heart disease rates
Former fugitive chiropractor receives prison sentence
Another alleged sex-aid marketed as dietary supplement found to contain prescription drug

Issue #04-43, October 26, 2004

Infomercial complaint program launched
IOM "CAM" report overdue
Proposed chiropractic educational standards based on quack concepts
Unlicensed naturopath facing wrongful death suit
Former city officials indicted for paying psychic

Issue #04-42, October 19, 2004

CortiSlim/CortiStress marketers charged with false advertising
FTC settles another weight-loss product case
Herbalife class action suit settled
Homeopathic proponent dies

Issue #04-41, October 12, 2004

IOM issues report to counter childhood obesity
Medicare acts against chiropractic "maintenance care"
FDA orders halt to illegal cancer claims
FDA asks firm to pay damages for violating injunction

Issue #04-40, October 5, 2004

Educational statistics exaggerate autism rates
SEC halts cancer investment scheme
Homeopathic products get special airport security exemption
Indian remedy can clash with prescription drugs

Issue #04-39, September 28, 2004

Revised Dietary Guidelines draft report released
FTC urged to curb misleading "sex aid" ads
FiberWeigh infomercial debunked

Issue #04-38, September 21, 2004

Court opposes dentist's use of "inferior" medical degree
FTC may nail physicians who endorse bogus products
Top mail-order scammer gets 18-month prison sentence
Chitosan manufacturer penalized
Delicensed dentist selling quack device

Issue #04-37, September 14, 2004

Medical journals press for clinical trial registry
Local chiropractic survey finds 100% offer bad advice
CortiSlim marketer told to stop illegal claims
Australian TV star admits role in advertising fraud
"Biological dentist" surrenders license

Issue #04-36, September 7, 2004

FTC nails leading infomercial scammer
BodyFlex marketers settle FTC charges
Criminal charges brought against breast and penis enlarger sellers
Washington Post article cries out for better herbal regulation

Issue #04-35, August 31, 2004

FTC curbs chitosan marketers
Another ephedra victim wins suit
Another study finds chitosan ineffective for weight control
"Advisory board" scheme bilks doctors.

Issue #04-34, August 24, 2004

Barrett wins libel award
Lead poisoning by ayurvedic products reported
Stuart Suster's medical license revoked
Antiamalgamist loses dental license
Omnimedia adds misguided publications

Issue #04-33, August 17, 2004

FTC attacks funeral price advertising restriction
Enzyte marketers sued
British Advertising Authority attacks hypnosis-for-cancer ad

Issue #04-32, August 10, 2004

Medical impostor resentenced
Court upholds regulatory action against phony breast developer
Heavy metals found in "hair supplement"

Issue #04-31, August 3, 2004

Quackwatch expands
Lorraine Day infomercial called "dangerous"
Heart Association skeptical of antioxidant supplements
FTC goes after "growth hormone" spammer
Man ordered to stop misrepresenting self as a licensed provider

Issue #04-30, July 27, 2004

Metabolife and founder facing new charges
CortiSlim marketers facing class-action suit
Chiropractor/radio host pleads guilty to tax evasion
New Zealand creatine marketer fined

Issue #04-29, July 20, 2004

Judge bans sales of shark cartilage and two other questionable cancer products
FTC attacks phony "memory enhancer" supplement
Patient protection law struck down
"Tanning pill" sellers told to stop

Issue #04-28, July 13, 2004

Tougher cholesterol guidelines issued
NAD challenges "anti-hangover" product
Study finds soy protein ineffective as estrogen substitute
Lead poisoning found among ayurvedic product users
Kevin Trudeau violates injunction

Issue #04-27, July 6, 2004

Preliminary injunction bans "Supreme Greens" infomercial
FDA issues tattoo ink warning
Dr. Stuart Suster facing license revocation
Chinese herbals found ineffective against hepatitis C

Issue #04-26, June 29, 2004

Defiant laetrile seller receives 5-year sentence
Metabolife International hit with $7.4 million verdict
FTC sues Biotape infomercial marketers
Hyaluronic acid marketers ordered to stop making unsubstantiated claims
Montana sues alleged "spirit healers"

Issue #04-25, June 22, 2004

FTC hits major weight-loss scammers
FTC challenges claims for children's weight-loss pill and women's sex aid
"Maker's Diet" author tied to illegal supplement marketing
Appeals court upholds license revocation of "biological dentist"
SIDS Alliance supports immunization

Issue #04-24, June 15, 2004

Chiropractic "practice-builder" receives 10-year prison sentence for insurance fraud
IOM refuses offer of "CAM" report review
Health Canada warns against "Thermonex" use
Chiropractic impostor charged with sexual assault
Kentucky Fried Chicken settles FTC charges
FTC says "do not spam" list would be premature

Issue #04-23, June 8, 2004

Internet-based medical schools will face increased scrutiny
FTC hits two more infomercials
Rogue dentist warned to stop marketing anti-SARS products
Wisconsin dentist charged with unprofessional conduct for quack device usage
SRAM resumes publication

Issue #04-22, June 1, 2004

Atkins diet promoters sued
"Paranormal" researcher pleads guilty to fraud
Court bans unreliable HIV/AIDS home test kits
Germanium marketer warned to stop cancer claims

Issue #04-21, May 26, 2004

IOM debunks alleged vaccine-autism link
Mexican clinic operators arrested
FDA challenges illegal claims for "Supreme Greens"
Medical Letter warns against cosmetic "penis enhancement"
Health Canada curbs unapproved erectile aid

Issue #04-20, May 19, 2004

Warner-Lambert to pay $430 million for illegal marketing of Neurontin
FTC sues "Balance Bracelet" marketers
Echinacea flunks another test
Chiropractic book bargain

Issue #04-19, May 12, 2004

PayPal^® "spoof" warning
Hydroxycut marketers pay $100,000 fine
"Dr." Paula Bickle unmasked
British "volcanic rock" scammer sentenced to prison

Issue #04-18, May 5, 2004

Major spammers facing prosecution
Dermatologists call for tanning device ban
Two more argyria cases from colloidal silver reported
Penn & Teller's "Bullshit!" starts second season
Another chelationist charged with misconduct

Issue #04-17, April 27, 2004

Australian Government warns advertising outlets to curb "extravagant" health claims
Court rules against anti-amalgam lawyer
Illegal cancer vaccine marketer indicted
Hair-removal product marketer hit for $300,000 penalty