FDA bans sales of so-called bird flu cures

WASHINGTON – The Food and Drug Administration is warning nine companies to stop selling purported remedies for bird flu and other forms of influenza, because they have not been approved by the agency.

“FDA is not aware of any scientific evidence that demonstrates the safety or effectiveness of these products for treating or preventing avian flu, and the agency is concerned that the use of these products could harm consumers or interfere with conventional treatments,” the FDA said Tuesday in a statement.

The nine companies are Sacred Mountain Management Inc., BODeSTORE.com, Melvin Williams, Iceland Health Inc., PolyCil Health Inc., PRB Pharmaceuticals Inc., Chozyn LLC, Vitacost.com and Healthworks 2000.

Claims made by the companies include phrases such as “prevents avian flu,” and “kills the virus,” the FDA said.

The agency therefore considers the products, mostly marketed as dietary supplements, to be new drugs that require approval before they can be sold.