The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a warning to owners of coconut products for violating federal food safety laws by marketing illegal drugs. Original Living Coconut LLC claims that their coconut products can kill viruses and bacteria, including ulcers and urinary tract infections; repel tapeworms and lice; relieve symptoms and health risks associated with diabetes; and protect the body from cancer. The company also claims that studies published in medical journals show that coconut, in one form or another, may provide a wide range of health benefits.
Below is a list of some of their products:
- Your Coconut Cream Dessert
- Raw Coconut Cream
- Virgin Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil
According to the FDA, the claims on Original Living Coconut’s labeling establish that their products are drugs because “they are intended for use in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease.”
If you have purchased any of these products you may have a claim for false advertising. Please contact Finkelstein, Blankinship, Frei-Pearson & Garber, LLP to discuss your legal options.