Balance of Nature
TINA.org investigated Balance of Nature, Inc., a Utah-based dietary supplement company founded by Dr. Douglas Howard, and found that the company and its founder deceptively claimed that taking Balance of Nature’s “Fruits and Veggies” supplements could prevent and help treat the coronavirus by boosting a person’s immune system. As a result of these findings, TINA.org filed complaints with the FTC and the FDA urging the agencies to take action.
Highlights
- Filed complaint with FTC
- Filed complaint with FDA
- Company ordered to pay $1.1. million after CA regulators take action
- Company ordered to stop selling supplements after FDA takes action
Timeline
2023
November 15
In the case filed by the U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of the FDA against Balance of Nature, a federal court in Utah orders the company, as well as company executives and others, to stop manufacturing and distributing the supplements, which are marketed as unapproved drugs able to treat numerous diseases, including cancer, diabetes and COVID-19, until they are in compliance with federal regulations.
Under the consent decrees, the company must hire independent experts, submit documents demonstrating compliance, and receive the FDA’s approval to resume operations.
October 11
The U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of the FDA files a lawsuit in federal court against Balance of Nature, company executives and others for, among other things, introducing misbranded and unapproved drugs into interstate commerce, and seeking a statutory injunction. Evidence provided by TINA.org to the FDA regarding the supplements’ marketing as able to treat and prevent COVID-19 is cited in the complaint.
July 26
The California Food, Drug, and Medical Device Task Force announces that it took an enforcement action against Balance of Nature for making false advertising claims to market its dietary supplements, including that the products could prevent, treat, or cure diabetes, fibromyalgia, arthritis, heart disease, and cancer. The company was ordered to pay $1.1 million ($850,000 in civil penalties and investigative costs, and $250,000 in customer restitution).
2020
April 14
TINA.org files complaints with the FTC and FDA against Balance of Nature for deceptively claiming that its supplements can prevent and help treat the coronavirus by boosting a person’s immune system, and urging the agencies to take action.
2019
August 20
The FDA sends the company a warning letter because of its use of unapproved drug treatment claims to market its supplements – claims such as “Fruits and Veggies’” ability to treat multiple sclerosis, diabetes and arthritis.
2018
June 20
The FTC declines to take action against Balance of Nature.
2017
November 6
The National Advertising Division refers the company to the FTC’s attention for its use of unsubstantiated health claims about its dietary supplement, including claims that it enhances the immune system, prevents pneumonia, mitigates symptoms of multiple sclerosis and prevents cancer.
Evidence
Featured
TINA.org Reports Balance of Nature’s Coronavirus Claims to FDA, FTC
Company falsely claims its ‘Fruits’ and ‘Veggies’ supplements can prevent and help treat the coronavirus.
The Latest
Balance of Nature’ ‘Fruits’ and ‘Veggies’ Supplements
Supplement company stumbles over discount offer.
Court Orders Balance of Nature to Halt Supplement Sales
“The public cannot have confidence that their products are what they purport to be,” says the FDA.
Balance of Nature to Pay $1.1M to Settle Regulatory Action over False Health Claims
Lawsuit alleged company falsely advertised that its “Fruits” and “Veggies” supplements could prevent, treat or cure serious diseases.
A Growing List of Coronavirus Scams
A master list of known and alleged scams.
A supplement company is using conservative radio to market itself as a coronavirus defense and treatment
Eric Hananoki, Media Matters
Balance of Nature Founder Claims Supplement Helps Ward off Coronavirus
This comes seven months after receiving an FDA warning letter citing unapproved drug treatment claims.
Balance of Nature
Off-balance testimonials abound on supplement site, as NAD refers health claims to the FTC.
Class-Action Tracker
Balance of Nature Fruit and Veggies Dietary Supplements
Allegations: Falsely marketing Fruits and Veggies dietary supplements
Balance of Nature Dietary Supplements
Allegations: Misrepresenting that its products are “the highest quality whole food supplements available”
Balance of Nature
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing that supplements treat various health conditions, contain “100% whole fruits and vegetables,” and provide the “[n]utritional equivalent of over 5 servings” of fruits and vegetables