A hard pill to swallow: supplement company sued for misleading claims

A dietary supplement company making big claims about curing serious illnesses is now in some hot water.

Evig LLC, also known as Balance of Nature, recently agreed to a hefty $1.1 million settlement following a lawsuit filed by California district attorneys. The company claimed that its freeze-dried capsules could cure serious illnesses, including diabetes, lupus, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and even cancer.

The California Food, Drug, and Medical Device Task Force challenged Balance of Nature’s advertising campaigns, stating that they lacked solid scientific evidence to back them up. Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen was quick to point out the company’s dishonesty in marketing these products to the public.

To right the wrong, $250,000 of the settlement has been reserved for customers who purchased the products. The rest of the fine, $850,000, will be allocated to cover civil penalties and investigative costs.

As Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley emphasized, “customers have the right to expect the products they purchase to work as advertised.”

It’s crucial to remember that when it comes to health supplements, we should always seek evidence-based claims to protect our health and well-being. Balance of Nature’s advertising claims, promising piles of fruit and vegetable servings in a tiny capsule, turned out to be unverified. Have you seen some claims on drugs or supplements that you think are unverified? Share your story with Voices for Affordable Health.