Australia based women activewear brand Lorna Jane has been fined $39,960 by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for advertising a new range of products called ‘anti-virus activewear’ which allegedly claimed to prevent and protect against infectious diseases.
Recently in this month, the company launched its LJ Shield exclusive technology, claiming it had worked for two years to develop a chemical-free treatment that when applied to activewear, protects wearers against viruses and bacteria.
According to the Department of Health, the company has violated the rules of advertising by referring the clothing, effective against Covid-19.
“This kind of advertising could have detrimental consequences for the Australian community, creating a false sense of security and leading people to be less vigilant about hygiene and social distancing,” Adjunct Professor John Skerritt, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health, said.
Products which are not included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods cannot lawfully be advertised or supplied in Australia.
Products that are not included on therapeutic materials in Australia are unlawful to advertise or supply in Australia.
In a statement, TGA said, “Under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989, any references to COVID-19 (and related terms) in the promotion of these types of goods are restricted representations. A restricted representation refers to a serious form of a disease, condition, ailment, or defect. The use of restricted representations in advertisements for therapeutic goods is unlawful without prior formal approval or permission from the TGA”.
