WARNING LETTER
Radhanite, LLC d/b/a Curalife Ltd
MARCS-CMS 614542 —
September 07, 2021
Delivery Method:
United Parcel Service
Product:
Dietary Supplements
Recipient:
Recipient Name
Ron Elul
Recipient Title
CEO
Radhanite, LLC d/b/a Curalife Ltd
208 Paterson Plank Rd.
Union City
,
NJ
07087-2826
United States
Issuing Office:
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN)
United States
Federal Trade Commission
WARNING LETTER
RE: 614542
Dear Mr. Ron Elul:
This is to advise you that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed your website at https://curalife.com/ in August 2021 and has determined that you take orders there for your CuraLin product. In addition, FDA reviewed your social media websites, https://www.instagram.com/curalife/ and https://www.facebook.com/curalife/ which direct consumers to your website https://curalife.com/ to purchase your product. You are also advised that the Federal Trade Commission reviewed your websites in August 2021.
The claims on your website and social media websites establish that this product is a drug under section 201(g)(1)(B) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act) [21 U.S.C. 321(g)(1)(B)] because it is intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease. As explained further below, introducing or delivering this product for introduction into interstate commerce for such uses violates the Act. You can find the Act and FDA regulations through links on FDA’s home page at
www.fda.gov.
Examples of some of the website claims that provide evidence that your product is intended for use as a drug include:
• “[P]romote healthy glycemic response. . ." (the product label)
• "CuraLin offers people needing advanced glucose support an effective. . .option for maintaining healthy glucose levels. . ."
• “89% would recommend CuraLin to a diabetic friend”
• “Turmeric [described as an ingredient in your CuraLin product] has been used . . . to help people maintain healthy glucose levels though [sic] healthy insulin tolerance."
• "Bitter Melon [described as an ingredient in your CuraLin product] is . . . used by diabetes [sic]in Eastern medicinal systems. Its mechanism of action . . . supports glucose absorption, and the sensitivity of the muscle cells to insulin."
• "Fenugreek [described as an ingredient in your CuraLin product] . . . promotes insulin production, release & sensitivity."
• "Picrorhiza Kurroa [described as an ingredient in your CuraLin product] . . . supports healthy glucose tolerance . . ."
On your social media Instagram page:
• “An herb with powerful health benefits like maintaining blood sugar levels and cholesterol, Fenugreek is a key component in our Curalin supplements."
Your Instagram page also contains evidence of intended use in the form of personal testimonials recommending or describing the use of “CuraLin” for the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease. An example of such testimonial include:
• "I am taking them daily and feel that they are some help in controlling my blood sugar . . . #beatingdiabetes . . ."
On your social media Facebook page:
• “The right nutritional supplement for the specific condition can provide a sustainable solution for managing your glucose levels. Empower your lifestyle by managing your Type 2 Diabetes naturally!”
Your CuraLin product is not generally recognized as safe and effective for the above referenced uses and, therefore, this product is a “new drug” under section 201(p) of the Act [21 U.S.C. 321(p)]. With certain exceptions not applicable here, new drugs may not be legally introduced or delivered for introduction into interstate commerce without prior approval from FDA, as described in sections 301(d) and 505(a) of the Act [21 U.S.C. 331(d), 355(a)]. FDA approves a new drug on the basis of scientific data and information demonstrating that the drug is safe and effective.
A drug is misbranded under section 502(f)(1) of the Act [21 U.S.C. 352(f)(1)] if the drug fails to bear adequate directions for its intended use(s). “Adequate directions for use” means directions under which a layperson can use a drug safely and for the purposes for which it is intended (21 CFR 201.5). Prescription drugs, as defined in section 503(b)(1)(A) of the Act [21 U.S.C. 353(b)(1)(A)], can only be used safely at the direction, and under the supervision, of a licensed practitioner.
Your product CuraLin is intended for treatment of one or more diseases that, with certain exceptions not applicable here, are not amenable to self-diagnosis or treatment without the supervision of a licensed practitioner. Therefore, it is impossible to write adequate directions for a layperson to use your product safely for its intended purposes.
Accordingly, CuraLin, fails to bear adequate directions for its intended use and, therefore, the product is misbranded under section 502(f)(1) of the Act [21 U.S.C. 352(f)(1)]. The introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce of this misbranded drug violates section 301(a) of the Act [21 U.S.C. 331(a)].
This letter is not intended to be an all‐inclusive statement of violations that may exist in connection with your product. You are responsible for investigating and determining the causes of any violations and for preventing their recurrence or the occurrence of other violations. It is your responsibility to ensure that your firm complies with all requirements of federal law, including FDA regulations.
This letter notifies you of our concerns and provides you an opportunity to address them. Failure to adequately address these matters may result in legal action including, without limitation, seizure and injunction.
Please notify FDA in writing, within 15 working days of receipt of this letter of the specific steps you have taken to address any violations. Include an explanation of each step being taken to prevent the recurrence of violations, as well as copies of related documentation. If you cannot complete corrective actions within 15 working days, state the reason for the delay and the time within which you will do so. If you believe that your product is not in violation of the Act, include your reasoning and any supporting information for our consideration.
Your written reply to the above violations should be directed to Rob Genzel Jr. with the FDA via email at CFSANResponse@fda.hhs.gov. If you have any questions, you may also email at CFSANResponse@fda.hhs.gov.
FTC Cease and Desist Demand:
In addition, the Federal Trade Commission has determined that it is unlawful under the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. § 41 et seq., to advertise that a product can prevent, treat, or cure human disease unless you possess a reasonable basis consisting of competent and reliable scientific evidence, including, when appropriate, well‐controlled human clinical studies, substantiating that the claims are true at the time they are made. POM Wonderful LLC, 155 F.T.C. 1, 60‐61, (2013), aff’d in relevant part, 777 F.3d 478 (D.C. Cir. 2015); Daniel Chapter One, FTC Dkt. No. 9239, 2009 WL 5160000 at *16‐19 (F.T.C. Dec. 24, 2009), aff’d, 405 Fed. Appx.505 (D.C. Cir. 2010); Removatron Int'l Corp., 111 F.T.C. 206, 297‐99 (1988), aff’d, 884 F.2d 1489, 1496 (1st Cir. 1989); see also, FTC v. Direct Mktg. Concepts, 569 F. Supp. 2d 285, 300, 303 (D. Mass. 2008), aff’d, 624 F.3d 1 (1st Cir. 2010); FTC v. Nat'l Urological Group, Inc., 645 F. Supp. 2d 1167, 1190, 1202 (N.D. Ga. 2008), aff’d, 356 Fed. Appx. 358 (11th Cir. 2009); FTC v. Natural Solution, Inc., No. CV 06‐6112‐JFW, 2007‐2 Trade Cas. (CCH) P75,866, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 60783, at *11‐12 (C.D. Cal. Aug. 7, 2007). More generally, to make or exaggerate such claims, whether directly or indirectly, through the use of a product name, website name, metatags, or other means, without rigorous scientific evidence sufficient to substantiate the claims, violates the FTC Act. See Daniel Chapter One, WL 5160000 at *17‐19.
The FTC is concerned that one or more of the efficacy claims cited above may not be substantiated by competent and reliable scientific evidence. Notice is hereby given that you must cease and desist from making any claim that a product and prevent, treat, or cure diabetes without competent and reliable scientific evidence consisting of well‐controlled human clinical studies substantiating that the claims are true. Violations of the FTC Act may result in legal action seeking a Federal District Court injunction or Administrative Cease and Desist Order. In addition, marketers who make deceptive claims about the treatment, cure, prevention, or mitigation of a disease may be subject to a civil penalty of up to $43,792 per violation pursuant to Section 5(m)(1)(B) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. § 45(m)(1)(B), and may be required to pay refunds to consumers or provide other relief pursuant to Section 19(b) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. § 57b(b). With regard to the advertising claims discussed above, please notify Richard Cleland of the FTC via electronic mail at rcleland@ftc.gov within fifteen (15) working days of receipt of this letter of the specific actions you have taken to address FTC's concerns.
Sincerely,
/S/
Glenn Bass
Acting
Deputy Director
Office of Compliance Center for Food Safety
and Applied Nutrition
Food and Drug Administration
Sincerely,
/S/
Serena Viswanathan
Associate Director
Division of Advertising Practices
Federal Trade Commission
Content current as of:
09/09/2021
Regulated Product(s)
Dietary Supplements