The U.S. Food and Drug Administration ordered a range of bee products seized after the manufacturer failed to remove information in promotional materials claiming the creams, throat spray and other consumer items could diagnose, cure and prevent certain diseases. The action came three years after the FDA warned the Wisconsin-based Beehive Botanicals Inc. that it was illegal to make such claims because the products were not approved as drugs.
From the FDA press release:
The products are not FDA approved as safe and effective in treating any of the stated diseases or conditions. Despite previous requests and warnings from the FDA, Beehive Botanicals has continued to market products with unfounded medical claims.
“This seizure shows that the FDA will seek enforcement action against companies that promote therapeutic benefits of products not yet evaluated by the agency for safety and effectiveness,” said Michael Chappell, FDA’s acting associate commissioner for regulatory affairs.
Last year, the FDA sent warning letters to more than 75 Web sites selling unapproved products that claimed to diagnose, mitigate, treat or cure the H1N1 flu virus. Products are considered drugs if they make such claims, and therefore cannot be sold unless they’ve obtained federal approval.
