The Power of Negative Blogging

Is it coincidence that on a day I don’t blog, I have the most hits in a single day? J I certainly appreciate everyone stopping by and please feel free to comment. Tell me what you like, dislike about the blog. Don’t be shy!

So why does my wife owe me an apology? I’ve had to drink more than my fair share of the nastiest tasting concoction known to man to appease her. It’s called “Airborne” and my wife swears by it. She makes me drink the gritty junk every time we fly or she feels ill.

“It’s for your health!” she’d claim. “It was invented by a 2^nd Grade teacher” she would use as evidence of its magical properties.

“It was invented by a 2^nd Grade teacher” was my proof that we have no idea if it actually works. Second grade teachers cure children of illiteracy, not the common cold.

And now people are suing for false advertising. From ABC News:

People who have taken the herbal formula Airborne with the hope of curing or fending off the common cold are eligible for refunds from the company.

Airborne will pay $23.3. million to settle a class action lawsuit over false advertising. Legal battles beginning in 2006 called into question the product’s claims as a “miracle cold buster.”

“You can say your product prevents or cures the common cold if you have data to support that,” said Ronald Turner, professor of pediatrics and associate dean for clinical research at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. “What happened with Airborne is that they made the claim, but had no data.”

Since its creation in 1999 by a former second grade schoolteacher, Airborne sales have soared, surpassing $100 million by 2006.

The product has been touted as a way to ward off a cold if taken prior to entering a germ-laden area, like an airplane or school, or to cure a cold that’s already been caught.

Airborne and many other remedies are classified as dietary supplements, not drugs, which means as long as they don’t make specific health claims, they don’t have to prove to the government that they work.

But a February 2006 investigation by ABC’s “Good Morning America” found Airborne might not work as advertised. The investigation revealed that Airborne’s clinical trial was conducted by just two people in the absence of a clinic or scientists.

So let’s recap: There is no proof that Airborne works. It tastes nasty.

And to my wife:

Honey, I love you and certainly accept your heartfelt apology. We all make mistakes from time to time.

Got screwed by Airborne? Fill out a claim form at www.airbornehealthsettlement.com.