Two federal agencies have issued an official warning to televangelist Jim Bakker after he was caught selling products that claim to cure coronavirus. The Jim Bakker Show was among seven companies singled out by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission for selling a phony potion, “Silver Solution,” which they claim can “eliminate” the COVID-19 virus.
In an official statement, the FDA noted that it had reviewed the Jim Bakker Show website and found it was in breach of federal rules on the sale of unapproved products. “The FDA has determined that your website offers products labeled to contain silver, such as “Silver Sol Liquid,” for sale in the United States and that these products are intended to mitigate, prevent, treat, diagnose, or cure COVID-19 in people.”
“FDA has determined that these products are unapproved new drugs sold in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), 21 U.S.C. § 355(a),” it wrote.
The advert on Bakker’s website claims that the “Silver Solution” product has been “tested on other strains of the coronavirus, and has been able to eliminate it within 12 hours.”
The Jim Bakker Show is suggesting that the silver solution it sells can kill the coronavirus within 12 hours. pic.twitter.com/kbUGnUp69m
— Right Wing Watch (@RightWingWatch) February 12, 2020
The FDA warned that if Bakker failed to “immediately correct the violations cited,” he may face “legal action, including, without limitation, seizure and injunction.”
“The FDA considers the sale and promotion of fraudulent COVID-19 products to be a threat to the public health,” FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said in a statement, as reported by CBS News. “We have an aggressive surveillance program that routinely monitors online sources for health fraud products, especially during a significant public health issue such as this one.”
The federal action comes a week after New York’s Attorney General Letitia James issued a cease-and-desist letter to Bakker regarding the sale of the substance.
Bakker, 80, has yet to comment on the controversy.
Photo courtesy: The Jim Bakker Show screenshot
Will Maule is a British journalist who has spent the past several years working as a digital news editor. Since earning a degree in international relations and politics, Will has developed a particular interest in covering ethical issues, human rights and global religious persecution. Will’s work has been featured in various outlets including The Spectator, Faithwire, CBN News, Spiked, The Federalist and Christian Headlines. Follow him on Twitter at @WillAMaule.
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