'Never our intention': JSHealth responds to cancer-curing claims

The health supplement brand claim they did not mean to say they could cure cancer with their products.

The health supplement brand claim they did not mean to say they could cure cancer with their products.

Multi-million dollar Australian nutrition brand JSHealth Vitamins said the brand never intended to suggest their product could treat serious illnesses after they were fined $26,640 for the claims. 

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) fined the company after it allegedly failed to receive permission to make representations about its ability to treat serious health conditions such as cancer and Alzheimer's disease.

In order to receive permission, a company must lodge an application including scientific studies to support the claim.

"We just wanted to take a moment to clarify a blog post that spoke about the benefits of our Tumeric+ formula," the company posted on its verified Instagram page in a post that has since been deleted. 

"In this blog we introduced our formula and listed its official indications. In a separate section, we briefly discussed C3 turmeric extract, an ingredient in our Tumeric+ formula, citing the research studies behind this isolated ingredient as we found them to be interesting."

The original Instagram story

"It was never our intention to suggest that those studies relate to our formula itself, but simply the ingredient C3 extract alone."

"Our commitment is always to present information and education on products and ingredients with care, accuracy and integrity."

An updated post adds, "we are passionate about ensuring our formulas meet strict guidelines and only use permitted health claims... Abiding by the regulatory law is a top priority."

The company founded by clinical nutritionist Jessica Sepel sells vitamins targeting libido, hair, bloating, anxiety and energy. 

Its supplements and vitamin products are regularly endorsed by high-profile influencers across platforms like Instagram, including publicist Roxy Jacenko and former MAFS star Martha Kalifatidis. 

Sepel and her husband Dean Steingold have an estimated net worth of $426 million.

A product in the JSHealth Vitamins range.

In 2020, activewear brand Lorna Jane was fined $39,960 for claims its activewear could prevent infectious diseases, implying it may provide a level of protection against Covid-19. 

The claim was escalated to the Federal Court where the company was ordered to pay $5 million in penalties for 'false and misleading representations to consumers'.

Last year, Australia’s drug regulator also fined four companies more than $170,000 for unlawfully advertising or importing vaping products. 

Speaking of unlawful representations... this is what happened when we called the TGA because a man was pretending to be a journalist from The Oz.