Investigation into Pete Evans claims linked to coronavirus
Therapeutic Goods Association to investigate suggestions by MKR judge that product can help treat COVID-19.
- Published by David Knox
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- Filed under Coronavirus, News
The Therapeutic Goods Association has announced an investigation into a $US14,990 device spruiked by Pete Evans as a treatment for the coronavirus.
The My Kitchen Rules judge shared an Instagram video discussing the BioCharger NG — a “hybrid subtle energy revitalisation platform” which claims to “optimise and improve potential health, wellness and athletic performance”.
It is listed under the lifestyle products section of Evans’s website and claims to replicate light, frequencies, harmonics, pulsed electromagnetic fields and voltage that are found in nature.
“It’s programmed with a thousand different recipes and there’s a couple in there for the Wuhan coronavirus,” Evans said in the video.
“The TGA will investigate the product you have referred and take action in relation to any illegal advertising of therapeutic products, including advertising on social media,” a Department of Health spokesman said in a statement.
“The TGA is monitoring non-compliance, particularly in relation to the advertising of products that claim to prevent or cure COVID-19.”
The creators of the BioCharger NG, Advanced Biotechnologies, also released a statement distancing themselves from Evans’s claims.
The Massachusetts-based company reiterated a disclaimer on the product’s website that “the BioCharger NG is not a medical device” and is not intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of diseases or any other conditions.
“Recent coverage points to the BioCharger as a cure or treatment to the novel coronavirus,” the company said in the statement.
“The BioCharger is not a medical device, and for that reason, Advanced Biotechnologies suggest that anyone seek medical attention from their primary care provider if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and all other diseases, infections and ailments; and follow guidelines put in place by your local governments including social distancing, strong personal hygiene, and contacting your primary care provider when experiencing any symptoms.”
Evans’ Instagram post has since been deleted.
This guy just doesn’t get it. Pete Evans is trying to sell a $15,000 fancy light machine to vulnerable and frightened people to protect them against #COVID_19.
He is not a doctor.
He is not a scientist.
He is a chef. pic.twitter.com/q6nWb3EojB— AMA Media (@ama_media) April 10, 2020
Source: ABC
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20 Responses
Did he claim that it actually cured coronavirus? if he didnt and if his website and product states it is not proven to cure/not a medical device’ then hes on safe ground.
Lets not confuse who is the bad and good guy here.
You have the pharmaceutical industry which is all about patents and profits. if they create a ‘cure’ it can be patented and then only they can sell it. Light and magnetic fields cant be patented so that makes it unattractive to them. We have seen in the past decade that these companies have been inflating prices out of selfish greed. If they genuinely cared for people they would not patent their products and would not be inflating their prices.
Light, Magnetic fields etc are known by most people to have an effect on humans. You can see in hospitals they used in various ways. Just doing blood tests will show any effect caused by them.
And when it comes to…
Therapeutic Goods Association will look into claims it can treat coronavirus, as claimed.
Pete’s gone from hippy to 70’s/80’s Doctor Who villain.
Reminds me of bad lighting from 80’s night clubs.
Pandemic Pete.
When is the TGA going to go after pharmacies selling Olive leaves as a cure for respiratory viruses. They’ve been doing that for decades, along with homeopathy and other nonsense which the TGA keeps giving listed registration for, based on historical use evidence.
At least olive leaves aren’t $US 15K.
With his resturant closed have to make money some other way
Don’t listen to the idiot?♂️
And when turn to Better Homes & Gardens and the show commences with a clip of this person cooking, so we switched over.BHG has unfortunately with this and the change of so many great presenters over the years, gone downhill.So sad.
I hope no-one was gullible enough to buy one of these. What rubbish!
He fails to get it constantly & dare I say is one of the many reasons that people have turned off MKR.
This guys is an absolute clown and that’s using site appropriate language.
most people know not to believe everything you see on the internet. I think Pete Evans should take this on.
This Bloke must be channeling Peter Brock and his Polariser, right!?
he should be sacked from the show
I actually saw this reported on The Latest the other night, which raised quite an eyebrow since Seven usually seems quick to defend his controversies in the past.
This might provide a clue as to whether MKR will be returning next year or not.
I think pseudoscientific products and claims, whether it be naturopathy or astrology, for example, should be required to have disclaimers on the television, in the media and in advertising. I’m also into non-tabloid astrology hence my username.
I do find the medical union criticism ironic as I have known them to prioritise political agenda ahead of medical research journals and facts. It’s also possible to have medical and scientific knowledge without a certificate in the fields. But I don’t agree with Evans on pseudoscientific health claims and I would only trust claims that are based on respected medical journals, excluding politically aligned health associations and organisations too.
There she goes again ..