Advertiser Agrees to Refrain from Claims that Provezza Elderberry Syrup Protects Against COVID-19

New York, NY – June 22, 2020 – Provezza Health, LLC informed the National Advertising Division (NAD) that, prior to the opening of NAD’s inquiry, it had permanently discontinued the Instagram post of Provezza Elderberry Syrup with the text, “Potent Immune Support During A Severe Season” and associated text stating “Provezza is highly concentrated to deliver antioxidant action for immune defense” because the advertisement’s publication cycle had ended. While the advertiser disagreed that the post challenged by NAD conveyed the implied claim that Provezza Elderberry Syrup protects users against COVID-19, it committed to refrain from making express or implied claims with such a message in the future.

Through a routine monitoring program, NAD questioned a social media post by Provezza Health, noting that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have issued dozens of warning letters to dietary supplement manufacturers in response to advertisements touting their products’ abilities to cure or increase consumers’ immunity to protect them from COVID-19. NAD shares the FTC and FDA’s concerns and is using its monitoring resources to find claims for products touting misleading health-conferring benefits related to COVID-19 as part of its public interest mission to protect consumers particularly during this unprecedented time.

NAD appreciated the advertiser’s cooperation and its commitment to avoid making any express or implied claims that promote its products’ ability to protect consumers against COVID-19 in future advertising.

In its advertiser’s statement, Provezza Health thanked NAD for “its ongoing monitoring efforts of the dietary supplement industry” and stated that it has “never expressly or impliedly claimed to treat COVID-19 or any other disease, and we will continue this policy in the future.”

This release was updated on June 26, 2020. Contact Abby Hills with questions.