2001 || 2002 || 2003 || 2005 || 2006 || 2007 || 2008 || 2009 || 2010
2011 || 2012 || 2013 || 2014 || 2015 || 2016 || 2017 || 2018 || 2019 || 2020
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
Issue #04-16, April 20, 2004
- FDA plans to increase enforcement
- “Zapper” causes dizziness and near-fainting
- Unlicensed “naturopath” arrested in Colorado
- Unlicensed chiropractor arrested in Michigan
- Quackwatch top-rated for “CAM” cancer information
- Quackwatch acquires additional funding source
Issue #04-15, April 13, 2004
- IOM reports on dietary supplement safety regulation
- Common diet pill ingredients not proven effective
- “Focus Factor” and “V-Factor” marketers settle FTC charges
- FDA orders “homeostasis protocol” seller to stop
Issue #04-14, April 6, 2004
- Consumer Reports rips supplement “dirty dozen”
- Defendants added to Braswell case
- Phony diploma seller receives prison sentence
- FBI raids California surgery clinics
- FDA warns 16 companies to stop false weight-loss claims
- BBC to phase out “junk-food” ties
Issue #04-13, March 30, 2004
- FTC challenges QVC Home Shopping Channel ads
- Seasilver penalties announced
- Faulty manufacturing leads to vitamin D toxicity and product recall
- FDA attacks unapproved brain stimulator device claims
- Medical Letter discourages autologous cord blood banking
- Third Neuralyn marketer pleads guilty
Issue #04-12, March 23, 2004
- Special request for Quackwatch support
- Major providers file anti-spam suits
- Herbal formulations found to vary widely
- Phony weight-loss patch marketers settle FTC charges
- Two Canadian acupuncturists reportedly used inadequate sterilization
Issue #04-11, March 16, 2004
- FDA proposes anti-obesity action plan
- Magic Johnson endorses bogus “immune-booster”
- Zymax marketers settle FTC charges
- Androstenedione crackdown announced
- ACSH publishes vaccination booklet
- Skeptical chiropractic forum launched
Issue #04-10, March 9, 2004
- GAO warns against unlicensed health insurance plans
- Most chiropractic school Web sites have unsubstantiated claims
- FDA petitioned for carbohydrate content claims
- Chiropractor sentenced to prison for insurance fraud
- British cancer quack receives prison sentence
- Florida committee opposes naturopathic law expansion
Issue #04-09, March 2, 2004
- Mail scamster Clinton pardoned pleads guilty to tax evasion
- “Research” project exposed as marketing ploy
- FTC terminates Zoetron/CSCT cancer scam
- Chiropractor/radio host arrested for tax evasion
- Chiropractors, naturopaths marketing dubious health assessment
- Court upholds conviction of “hyperimmune” egg marketers
Issue #04-08, February 24, 2004
- Appeals court upholds do not call list
- Court supports FDA policy on saw palmetto claims
- Urology site debunks phony impotence aids
- FDA bans sale of “low level laser” device
- Dutch psychic implicated in woman’s death
Issue #04-07, February 17, 2004
- Faith healer receives 9-year prison sentence; radio host sued
- Skin product manufacturer ordered to stop “face-lift” and “body lift” claims
- FDA acts against counterfeit contraceptive patch sellers
- Ohio osteopath charged with laetrile-related crime
- Student loans granted to nonexistent schools
- Agency appeals for science books
Issue #04-06, February 10, 2004
- FDA issues final rule banning ephedra in dietary supplements
- “World’s Greatest Vitamin” debunked
- FTC hits “Skinny Pill” marketers
- FDA warns “crocodile blood” product marketer
- Canadian organizations oppose cross-border prescribing
- Dubious cancer information provider dies
- Fundraising fraudster gets 15-year sentence
Issue #04-05, February 3, 2004
- Homeopathy flunks a “water memory” test
- Web site explains “trans fat” labeling
- Evening primrose oil ineffective against eczema
- California legislator promoting feng shui
- Fake document marketers settle FTC charges
- Mad cow safeguards announced for supplement products
Issue #04-04, January 27, 2004
- “King of Calcium” dethroned
- Major acupuncture claim challenged
- FDA cautions against keepsake ultrasound
- ACSH rates nutrition coverage in popular magazines
- Prosecutions of cancer fakers
Issue #04-03, January 20, 2004
- Coroner’s jury links neck manipulation to stroke death
- Court upholds discipline of prominent Canadian chiropractor
- Metabolife officials suspected of tax evasion
- JAMA will offer partial free access
Issue #04-02, January 13, 2004
- Naturopathy critically appraised
- Consumer Reports nixes “ephedra-free” products
- Man indicted for selling counterfeit Viagra
- Investigator reports serious chiropractic deficiencies
- Chiropractors encouraged to market cholesterol testing
Issue #04-01, January 6, 2004
- Quackwatch blasts infomercial industry
- Consumer Reports tests infomercial exercise equipment
- CNN/Gallup survey finds nurses are highly trusted
- FTC settles with two diet-pill marketers and sues a third one
- Skin-patch seller ordered to stop diabetes and prostate claims
