Antitrust Law Daily Wrap Up, ADVERTISING NEWS: New York AG warns marketers over ‘Zika-preventive’ claims, (Aug 4, 2016)

By Jeffrey May, J.D.

Seven companies that marketed products using "Zika-protective" or "Zika-preventive" claims have been told to stop making the representations by the New York attorney general's office. Cease and desist letters were issued to the seven companies, New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced yesterday.

The targeted companies sell either ultrasonic devices or botanical oil-based products. They purportedly claimed that their products would prevent or protect against the Zika virus by repelling mosquitoes, even though the products contained no EPA-registered insect repellents with at least one of the five active ingredients recommended by the Centers for Disease Control. The attorney general's office also reminded marketers and consumers that claims that products are cures for Zika are deceptive, as there are no cures for the disease.

Among the products identified by the attorney general's office were Wildheart Outdoors Natural Mosquito Repellent Bracelet, Kenza High Quality Zika Mosquito Repellent Smiley Patch, and Mobile Pro Gear ZIKA Shield Mosquito Repellent Bands. Many of the products have already been removed from the online shopping site Amazon.

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