Saint Paul, Minnesota – April 19, 2011 –The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) is challenging claims made by Pure Life Health Laboratories, makers of the Pure Life Patch. Promotional literature touting the benefits of Pure Life Patches, which are worn on the feet, claim that ‘98.7% of patients affected with ‘benign’ diseases are healed within the first 3 days of Pure Life Patch treatment’ and ‘96% of patients affected by ‘serious’ diseases were healed in less than 30 days after starting the treatment.’ The BBB has given the company a rating of “F” due to their nature of business and the claims they’re making, which are scientifically unproven.
“We were alerted to this company by a concerned citizen, whose mother was about to sign up for a $100 per month subscription for this highly questionable product,” said Dana Badgerow, president and CEO of the BBB. “We looked into the company’s claims and sought the opinion of an M.D. who specializes in alternative medicine. He reviewed the ingredients in the company’s product and said that none have been proven to be beneficial in the manner claimed.”
The medical professional the BBB consulted, Dr. Greg Plotnikoff, the Medical Director of the Institute for Health and Healing at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital, noted there is no data to support the company’s claims. He also added that due to the fact the product is manufactured in Japan, there isn’t the same infrastructure in place as there is in the U.S. to test and validate health product claims.
The Mayo Clinic in Rochester has also weighed in on detoxification foot pads, such as the Pure Life Patch, in an online article available on their website. The article states that no scientific studies have been published that show these foot pads work or that they’re safe to use. They suggest that, as with anything that sounds too good to be true, people wait for scientific evidence that proves the claim before investing their time or money.
Pure Life Health Laboratories claims an address in Minnesota – a mailbox in a UPS store on Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis. The company is not registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State. A BBB investigation determined Pure Life’s parent company is CJW Holdings (also known as Ultralife Fitness), located in Midvale, Utah. That company has an “F” rating with the BBB of Utah, and there have been several government actions against them in regard to misrepresentations involving ‘free’ offers and claims involving the products they market.
The BBB has processed three complaints against Pure Life Health Laboratories regarding delivery issues. The company has resolved two of those complaints by providing refunds. A third complaint is currently pending.
If you’re considering ordering an alternative medical product or treatment, the BBB advises that you be wary of those making dubious claims, and keep in mind that nothing is more important than your health. You’ll also want to make sure that you’re doing everything you can to ensure you’re dealing with legitimate companies who are selling quality products they will stand behind.
Here are some other things consumers should consider – or do – before ordering alternative medicinal products or treatments:
- Is the product you’re looking at approved for use in the United States? The U.S. has some of the strictest safety standards worldwide, and though you may be able to purchase medical products from other countries, they may not be cleared for use here. Ask the manufacturer of the device whether it’s approved or check for yourself at the Food and Drug Administration’s website, www.fda.gov.
- If the company is offering a free trial, is that offer related to a membership, subscription or extended service contract? Also, is there an action you need to take should you decide not to continue receiving the product?
- What are the companies return policies? How many days do you have to return the product?
- Look at the product label. If the label is written in multiple languages or the measures are in units other than those used in the United States, it’s possible the product is approved for use in another country and not approved here in the U.S.
- Talk to your doctor. They will be familiar with your medical history and also be able to advise you as to which products or treatments are effective and which are not.
- Know who you’re dealing with. Even if a company’s website seems formal or legitimate, be wary if they don’t provide their address and/or a contact number.
- Check the company’s Reliability Report at www.bbb.org.
Additional advice on free trial offers is available at www.bbb.org/us/article/free-trial-offers--are-they-good-deals-425. Consumers who believe they have been misled by a free trial offer can file a complaint online with the BBB at www.bbb.org.
