It's A Fraud!!!
Filed under: Legal Matters
Airborne is shit!!!! The company has just settled a class action lawsuit for $23 million!!!!
"There's no credible evidence that what's in Airborne can prevent colds or protect you from a germy environment," David Schardt, a nutritionist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, said in a written statement this week. "Airborne is basically an overpriced, run-of-the-mill vitamin pill that's been cleverly, but deceptively, marketed."
We feel lied to!!!!!
The herbal supplement of vitamins and minz was created back in 1999 with the intent of helping to fight off colds.
It was invented by Victoria Knight-McDowell, a second-grade teacher who according to the product's site, "studied the benefits herbal therapies used in Eastern Medicine." The company also claimed it "boosts the immune system with seven herbal extracts and a proprietary blend of vitamins, electrolytes, amino acids and antioxidants."
Back in March 2006, after an ABC News report revealed that the company's clinical trials were not conducted by doctors or even scientists, Airborne changed their advertising campaign when a plaintiff filed suit against them.
Turns out the "clinical trials" were just conducted by two random individuals!
Shortly after, advertisements for Airborne stopped mentioning the clinical studies and the cold-curing claims. Instead, Airborne began advertising itself as helping to boost the body's immune systems.
Airborne will now be fighting off cash collectors for a total of $23.3 million to settle the class-action lawsuit brought against them.
Those suing claim the company provided false advertising since it could not be proven that Airborne actually helps prevent colds.
Then in late 2006 the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), a non-profit advocacy group, joined the suit as co-counsel against Airborne. Later in 2007 the FTC and some attorney generals began investigating the cold-preventing claims as well.
The CSPI said the Airborne company will have to refund money to consumers who bought its product, and it will pay for advertisements in large publications with instructions on how to get refunded.
To learn more information about how to receive a refund if you've purchased Airborne, CLICK HERE.
This sucks! We used to take Airborne all the time!
Part 2:
These companies know FULL WELL the effect their toxic drugs have on the human body. They cure one thing and then the side effects cause other health problems. Since WHEN has Airbourne ever killed people in this way?? I use this stuff regularly in the winter. I used to take those shitty chemical cough syrups up till a few years ago, which never used to do shit, until a friend recommended me this stuff. I tried it at the very FIRST signs of a cold/flu and took it every 3 hrs as you are supposed to do. I got rid of this flu/cold by the end of the day. NO it is NOT a placebo effect like 'cough syrup' and those formaldehyde-laced flu shots, and YES it does fucking work! You have to take it up to 4 times in one day every 3 hrs and you will get rid of it (like I do EVERY time) in a day as long as you start taking it at the very FIRST sign of flu/cold symptoms. I find that if you let the flu/cold catch hold of you it just cuts the duration of the sickness. How can vitamin C/zinc/selenium be a 'con'? These are PROVEN to work by scientists all over the world and are good for you. These pharmaceutical companies will stop at nothing to eliminate their competition. Anything of a natural bent that actually works is hated by them as it affects their profits.
Sad to think of all the scammers who are going to profit from this: "I had six packages of Airborne in my medicine cabinet, now give me some money." Yeah, right, give me a break, loser. Go get a job if you want to make money, instead of expecting others to give it to you for free.
Anyone with half a brain who takes the time to read this thread can see that plenty of folks SWEAR by this product. And as everyone knows, there is no cure for the common cold, just as there is no miracle pill for being fat.
It's difficult to believe the jerk who brought this suit actually won. It's like that old lady who won millions because her McDonald's coffee was actually hot, or that woman who put a severed finger in her Wendy's chili. Or even the mother who coached her daughter to say, "Daddy died in Irag," to win Hannah Montana tickets. People like that are the lowlife scum of the earth.
part 3:
Like the health care industry the ONLY thing they care about is PROFIT. They don't care who they kill in order to maintain this. This is just another example of corporate bullying. Airbourne boosts your immune system to a point where it destroys the infection inside you. Don't believe the hype. Fraud my arse. I either KNOW when something works or I DON'T. These drug companies have the fucking gall to point the finger at natural health supplements when their drugs are not tested before being marketed to the public. Who's the more corrupt? Who in the FDA is responsible for allowing this to occur?
I am a student of eastern medicine and turns out Airborne is based on a traditional herbal formula we use all the time plus some vitamins. The thing about it is that it's really only for when you have a high fever and sore throat and you HAVE to take it every 3 hours to see some benefit. I don't think Airborne is harmful and it probably helps some but it depends what you have and how you take it. I'd rather just take chinese herbs prescribed by someone who knows how to prescribe them like an acupuncturist.
Clearly consumers are a bunch of fucking idiots….if you bought this product (as i did) you clearly run the risk of buying something that may or may not work…thats the chance you take in buying such a product…no one really knows the medical advantages to using these vitmains, minerals and acids….whoever sued them should be sued for just being a plain old money grubbing stupid fool
AIRBONE WORKS. READ ABOUT THE INGREDIENTS IN IT AND THEIR BENEFITS TO YOUR BODY. NOT ONLY DO I THINK IT PREVENTS COLDS BUT I ALSO FEEL BEETER FROM THE VITAMIN BOOST. I WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE THIS PRODUCT AS WELL AS TARGETS GENERIC BRAND OF IT.
I travel a lot for work and used to get sick everytime I flew. When Airborne came out I started taking one the night before I flew and one the morning of my flight and haven't gotten plane sick in three years. I still think the magic vitamin works despite the current expert opinions!
maybe Tom and Katie boarded Suri onto a spaceship so she could go visit her relatives on another planet.
I totally think Airborne works!! My hubby and I both use it whenever we are just starting to feel sick, and we either don't get sick at all, or only a very short mild cold instead of a long horrible one. I won't stop taking it!
Re: GLO – Wrong post
Thank you Perez! I'm spreading the word!!
the best cold remedy is to drink 2 cans of redbull a dayhaha
DUHH!!!! IDIOTS!!!! I TOLD EVERYONE THAT SHIZ!!! IF U CAN READ…THE LABEL SAYS ITS NOT FDA APPROVED OR PROVEN TO EVEN PREVENT INFECTION!!! THEY WERE PROBABLY THE BEST SCAM EVER FOR DUMB PPL WHO DONT READ OR WHO ARE EASILY GULLIBLE INTO HYPE!!!!!
HEY YOU DOLTS, ITS A FIVE DOLLAR VITAMIN SUPPLEMENT, NO ONE SAID IT WAS GONNA CURE AIDS, IT JUST GOES TO SHOW U CAN SUE ANYONE FOR ANYTHING NOWADAYS.
This goes back years ago before the company was bought by the current Airborne, Inc. This case was actually against the inventor. Since then, the package has been changed so it does not claim to cure colds. It is a great vitamin boost that really helps when you're not feeling well. There is no reason to stop using this item. And it tastes great!
Can I get refunded Wal-Bourne too?
FREE MONEY! I FILED A CLAIM FOR 6 BOXES AT 10 BUCKS APIECE, YOU DON'T NEED PROOF OF PURCHASE, JUST SAY YOU BOUGHT IT! LOL
don't need my money back, everytime i felt a sore throat coming on, or a stuffy nose, it never went through after i took an Airborne [but i like the gummies better]
i don't care what anybody says….this stuff has saved me from getting sick on numerous occasions.the trick is you have to take it before you actually develop symptoms, i'll keep taking it
Hey, I was stuck on a bus load of sick people with flus for a couple weeks straight (touring europe) and my sister and I were the only ones who popped airborne and never ended up catching the flu. It just rushes Vitamin C to your body if you don't already take the vitamin itself. It sucks that just because people are morons and completely depend on Airborne, this company has to pay for it.
it worked for me!!!!
AW POOR PEREZ..I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN THOUGH, I FEEL LIED TO TOO
I think the lawsuit is RIDICULOUS! Any person with half a brain woud know to read the ingredients in the things they take. Airborne is nothing more than vitamins and supplements which do, by the way, help boost your immune system and protect you against cold. Everyone knows vitamin C does that, and combined with the other supplements, airborne is really good for you. It is more expensive, yes, but most people buy into clever marketing and BS. They could have opted for a cheaper option EMERGEN-C which is the same thing and comes in different varieties for your needs. This is just STUPID SUE HAPPY BS. It's not like this was a pharmeceutical company advertising a cure all for some specific disease…it's COLD PREVENTATIVE for CHRISTS SAKE! PEOPLE ARE SO STUPID AND CAN'T THINK FOR THEMSELVES. GET SOME BRAINS!!!! STOPPED USING THE JUSTICE SYSTEM FOR BULLSHIT!
Maybe, Perezita you can sue for what it's done to your face. Just kidding. not
AIRBORNE WORKS WHEN NOTHING ELSE DOES .. When it came out and I had the chills, fever, sore throat and was so weak I could no nowhere nearly midnight I stopped in a store over 2 years ago and the person behind the counter told me they took it and it made her well when she used it … I TOOK AIRBORNE AND IT WORKED SO WELL, I'VE TAKEN NO ANTIBIOTICS OR ANYTHING FOR COLDS AND FLU I MIGHT HAVE GOTTEN AND USED TO GET. I TAKE AIRBORNE AS DIRECTED AND IT WORKS FOR ME…. SO PAY ATTENTION TO LYING LAWYERS WHO MAKE MILLIONS ON CLASS ACTION SUITS WHEN THE LITIGANTS MAKE NOTHING. THIS IS A SUPER ADVANCE IN KEEPING PEOPLE WELL. I ALWAYS GOT SICK BEFORE .. AND NOW .. NEVER … NOT ONCE SINCE I'VE TAKEN AIRBORNE ..
Re: Tim –
you're exactly the kind of person #310 was talking bout…how proud your mother must be…unless she's a loser like you ofcourse
Airborne does work! I take it all the time whenever I fly. The times I forgot to take it, I got sick. This lawsuit is crap.
okay my friend get hang overs and they use airborne to fix them…works every time…or if they feel a little under the weather…they take it feel better…who cares if i doesnt cure your cold as long as you feel better
Airborne is a Chinese Medicine herbal formula that has vitamin C and another couple of vitamins added to it. The derivative formula, Yin Qiao San, is used for an exterior invasion of wind and heat. It is a very effective formula, and, as most people, when they get a "cold", quickly transform into heat, this formula is often appropriate. So, does Airborne work. Yes, as long as the pattern is correct.
It is full of vitamins…hmmm the things that your body needs to fight colds. This lawsuit sounds like pharmacutical companies getting a little worried that it might work and people wont be going to the doctor to get medicine. ???
You're all retards. Perez, you'd take anything that comes in something that shape, anyway, don't front, kid.
i dont think its a fake. seriously people. this is another smear from the drug companies trying to run a great business into the ground for their own gain. perez hilton, you need to research this stuff before going along with what the media has to say. this stuff works. if it didnt it wouldnt have made as much money as it made. now its made even more money since kids cant take regular medecine since it's filled with side effects that may include death. seriously america wake up. get out of these no brain websites and start reading about real issues. we suck as a country. we are misinformed and given drugs when something hurts. listen if i want my headaches to go away well i guess i wont feel the pain when i get death as one of my side effects. don't believe this airborne stuff. it works. i love it so much im not getting a refund because i dont want this company to go under. i dont want to be forced to take something nasty and trashy. just my thought.
I remember thinking this was a scam when I saw Oprah interview the woman who invented it. You could see right through this lady, she was full of crap. I was surprised Oprah didn't know any better than to promote this garbage…but then again…it explains the garbage she's promoting now!!
leave it to americans to abuse the legal system yet again but blaming someone else for something. only in this case, all they got hit with was a COLD… come on people have some common fucking dog… and take responsibility for yourself. Do you believe everything you read?? if so, you deserve more than a cold and you'll probably come to much worse.
ITS BECUASE THE FDA IS NOT MAKING MONEY OFF IT.
I dont care what they say I have used these little tablets of joy for years and I swear that they help me stay well !!!!
well it worked for me….i started with a sore throat (felt like a lugy was stuck ) that usally turns into a cold…i took 3 of the pills that day and one before bed….and woke up fineeeee. I was very surprised. SOOOOOO it is for a booost not for a CURE!!! I will still buy it!!!
I never used and never believed it in. I thought is was a con from the start because how can anything prevent a cold, vitamins can't even do it.
for anyone who cares to know… this is just a publicized form of homeopathic medicine (herbal PREVENTATIVE medical practice used everywhere BUT the US because the herbal pills are inexpensive) which is not supported at all in the US and no doctor would ever be able to vouch to its effectiveness because he would literally lose his license… no doctor is allowed to perscribe or diagnose using homeopathic medicine/techniques… i am not some major supporter of airborne i just think you need to do your research a little better perez this stuff is good for you and it does boost your immune system thats what herbs and vitamins are for… good immune system= less of a chance of illness
The best piece of advice I ever got from a doctor about cold medicine or cold-prevention-medicine was: If any of those hundreds of products would actually work, it would have driven all the others out of competition years ago. If there are 50 'improve your immune system' meds out there it's a pretty good proof that they're all not helping.
WOWWWWWWWW THAT SUCKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.
Of course it doesn't help more or less than a balanced and healty nutrition. Vitamin A and vitamin C are water soluble which pretty much means you eat or drink them together with something and after wandering to your kidneys you pee them out again.
no wonder! I took that crap about 2 weeks ago and it didnt do shiiiiiiiiiiit !! I still got very sick! What a waste of money and it tasted horrible!
Yeah, and you know what else is fraudulent? That David Jones $300 giftcard you're advertising…The first give away? Jennifer Hawkins, the model in the ad on the left hand side is the face of DJ's rival store MYER. You are an idiot, Perez.
Re: Toni – #350
Why do people keep complaining that Airborne is ineffective because it contains "water soluble" vitamins? Water soluble vitamins are excreted daily, and therefore must be replenished daily. This is just one of the reasons Airborne is beneficial; it resupplies the body with vitamins that cannot be stored.
Btw, maybe you misspoke, but vitamin A is FAT soluble, not water soluble. Only the B vitamins and vitamin C are water soluble.
All I know is that The sleepy time one (nighttime apple spice or whatever the.. It's called ) MADE ME SLEEP FOR DAYSZZZZ thats the best sleep i have had in a long time! NO I didnt feel like it made me feel anybetter. Can I jump in on the class action lawsuit!?
It wasn't created back in 1999 with the intent of helping to fight off colds. It was created back in 1999 with the intent of helping relieve suckers of their cash.
FYI, that homeopathic crap Oscillococcinum doesn't work either.
thank you for posting this. that shit is rotting in my cupboards.
It does wonderful things for hangovers.
What do all the skeptics out there do when THEY feel a cold coming on? Wait until their symptoms are really serious, then gulp down OTC medications like cough syrup, decongestant, and pain reliever?
So are most really that stupid and believe everything they hear in the media? Just because there's a lawsuit doesn't mean it's a bad product. You can clearly see what vitamins are in the product, exactly what you're buying. It's the drug companies that want people to buy man made drugs instead of all natural cures. If something all natural can help, according to the drug companies it can't. This is because drug companies are multi-billion dollar industries. It's all about money with them and I'm sure they're the ones who brought this lawsuit about. Think about all the money these drug companies make. Tons and they just want to make more! They don't care if it works or not, but if something all natural is being a competition for them, they'll do anything they can to knock it down. Use you're brains! Vitamins help keep you healthy and can help you when you get sick!
"This sucks! We used to take Airborne all the time!"
No, that was crystal meth Perez.
honestly dont people have better things to bitch about? its vitamins, which are good for you no matter how you take them.
Don't believe it. As long as their are halfway n atural products coming out at all that might take some money out of the pockets of the Drug Industry, you'll have "expert" reports like this coming out.
Big money in the drug industry - they don't likethings like Airborne or anything they can't charge you an arm and leg for an convince you you need it.
HAHAHA pEREZ YOURE SUCH A STUPID N I GG E R F A GG O T!
damn it…ive been tricked all along
This article makes me sad. Everyone should know that any type of eastern medicine is usually based on natural vitamins and herbs and is rarely approved by the FDA. These types of herbal supplements are never "approved" to cure things… they are preventative measures unlike the shit that the FDA does approve. People are idiots and I think the court ruling is unfair. It is almost as bad as the McDonald's coffee lawsuit…
Although I have tons of receipts, I will not be a part of this. I used to get a number of colds a year. I started using Airborne as needed and ZERO. Even when other sickos were around me. I think it worked even more than a self fulfilling prophecy. I think they should re-do their clinical trials!!!
OMG I know! my roommate was really sick so before I came back to school I took airborne and the next day I was extremely sick and throwing up.. EVEN WORSE than my roommate was! that shit sucks so bad and I'm glad that the public is seeing this.
airborne works.. it boosts your immune system to fight off colds…go to college people, learn a thing or two
Re: Just One Of The Benefits Of Airborne –
I didn't say airborne is ineffective. I just said it doesn't do less or more than a balanced nutrition. You're right about water soluble vitamins being excreted daily, but if you eat healthy, you don't need airborne to resupply them. If you live off canned food and junk food however, airborne is definitely something you could use.
Sorry about misspelling and putting vitamin A in the water soluble category. You're of course right.
I always knew it was lame. I've bought Airborne once and only once because right after taking it, I didn't become immune to the cold that was going around, but immediately got sick!
YES! ~ ITS ABOUT TIME! otherwise ppl will keep throwing their money away for years to come, but thats cuz ppl are stupid and believe anything. HEY i got this great deal on the brooklyn bridge,.. u wont believe it, but i can sell it for a million bux! any takers? same ones as the ones taking airborne …
This is BS….It's just pharmasudical companies trying to run any natural cure into the ground!!!! High does of Vitamine C and High doses of antioxidants call cure and prevent all kinds of things, from colds to cancer(realy!!)….
But the FTC is the Pharm comps Bitch!!! used only to make it imposible for any herb or vitamin to claim anything….even though pharm drugs are just synthetic versions of herbs!!!!!!! F***ing Corporate America …They don't care that it does acctually work!!!!! There hv been a ton of studdies that prove these componants kick diseases ass!!!
They are going to run this comp to the ground to selling something healthy!!!!!! What ??? Completely good for you and healthy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, if they discontinue it, I'll be hoarding it the way Elaine (Seinfeld) hoards the Sponge!
I'll tell you the prime benefit of Airbourne - hangover cure. The last toast around the table should be done with fizzy Airbourne, and the next morning you'll feel just peachy.
clearly all of u are so smart…i took this stuff all the time! apparently PDiddy took it daily
How come when drug companies come out with DRUGS that kill people they are not held responsible and the people taking their shitty prescription drugs don't get their money back if the drugs don't work and cause nasty side effects like liver damage?? Vitamins do work and drug companies who own and control the media don't want you to know…there is a move by these companies to make vitamin and natural products only accessible by prescription. People need to get educated on what the REAL story is and how our civil liberties are so not protected.
it works!
prevent means to….1. to keep from occurring; avert; hinder: NOT completely stop - you're right Ennis - ppl need to read labels bitches!!!
Re: brazmillion –
Precisely what I said in my 3 posts on this site. The immune system is key to fighting off diseases such as colds and flu. The ingredients in Airborne bolster the immune system to the point where it destroys the viruses in the body. Again, I have never seen a herbal product that kills as many people as toxic drugs put out on the market which are very often NOT tested before being sold to people! These drug companies do NOT care how many people they kill. They see people as disposable cash cows to make profits off of. I will NEVER take drugs to 'ward off' flu. Give me Airbourne any day. I went out to buy more yesterday.
Yeah I have told everyone I know that this product was a scam. Its just a very high mg of vitamins tlhat are just put in liquid format. Not very shocking to me. If you want to fight a cold just wash your hands to the point of having ocd and take extra multivitamins.
What a crock - and shame on you, Perez for falling for this. Prescription drugs and obesity/inactivity KILL hundreds of thousands of people a year. This case was all about television news ratings and making lawyers rich.
It's a VITAMIN. Can't anyone read labels? Probably not or else why would Excedrin put out Excedrin MIGRAINE - with the exact SAME ingredients in the EXACT SAME dosage … only the BOX has changed.
Hey Perez,
Keep taking it! It never HURT anyone and I still say it works for me. Immune boosting vitimins are always GOOD. Calm down America, and stop suing everyone. You are just adding to the cost of doing buisness and the consumer always gets the bill.
the stuff in it does make you sicker! It has THREE different kinds of fake sugar in it that cause neurological damage, headaches, and on top of that SUGAR DISRUPTS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM ANYWAY-live healthy.
Does not surprise me. The one time I took this stuff (exactly as directed) I ended up getting one of the worst colds of my life.
fraud? whatever. it works for me! everyone's different.
It's been proven that taking 300% or thereabouts of your daily allowance of Vitamin C every day of your life can reduce recovery time from a cold by about 15%. That kind of evidence is what pop medicine miracle cure developers use to sustain their arguments about the benefits of the vitamin. Also, echinacea is completely useless. Go Perez!
but she was on OPRAH……..ha