There are consumers all across the U.S. who swear by the popular cough/cold product Airborne. Despite its popularity, the company has been hit with a $30 million fine by the Federal Trade Commission for claiming Airborne can help reduce the length of a common cold.
Lydia Parnes, director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, said in a statement, "There is no credible evidence that Airborne products, taken as directed, will reduce the severity or duration of colds, or provide any tangible benefit for people who are exposed to germs in crowded places."
A piece on the Drug Store News website pointed out that Airborne is unlike brands such as Mattrix's Zicam or Quigley's Cold-Eeze, that contain zinc gluconate, which has been demonstrated to reduce the length of time that people suffer from a cold.
Airborne's Original Effervescent Formula is marketed as a dietary supplement containing vitamins A, C, E, zinc, and selenium.
Discussion Questions: Will the Airborne brand's settlement with the Federal Trade Commission have an impact on the product's sales? Will the settlement affect how retailers approach the promotion and merchandising of the Airborne brand?