Lorna Jane cops hefty fines for ‘antivirus’ activewear which is allegedly unlawful advertising
Activewear company Lorna Jane has been hit with a $39,000 fine for alleged unlawful advertising after branding its clothing line ‘antivirus’ — leading to widespread criticism by health experts.
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Activewear company Lorna Jane has been fined $39,000 for alleged unlawful advertising after branding its clothing line ‘antivirus’.
The misleading claims from Lorna Jane that its ‘LJ Shield’ clothes could protect against infectious diseases were roundly criticised by health experts who argued they were preying on people’s fears of the coronavirus.
In a ruling on Friday night, the Therapeutic Goods Administration said the company was in breach of the TGA advertising code, which it said was “of significant concern given the current pandemic”.
The TGA issued the company three infringement notices totalling $39,960.
A Lorna Jane spokesman had earlier this week defended the branding by saying: “We are not saying LJ Shield will stop you coming into contact with bacteria we are saying LJ Shield is an added protection like hand sanitiser but for the clothes you wear”.
Federal Department of Health deputy secretary John Skerritt said Lorna Jane’s ads “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”.
Earlier this year, celebrity chef and anti-vaxxer Pete Evans was fined $25,000 by the TGA for promoting a $15,000 light machine on social media. Evans had claimed the machine could be used to treat “Wuhan coronavirus”.
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Originally published as Lorna Jane cops hefty fines for ‘antivirus’ activewear which is allegedly unlawful advertising