Airborne Refund Settlement Agreed Upon

Originally created by school teacher Victoria Knight-McDowell, Airborne has been the best selling herbal remedy for the common cold since Oprah Winfrey endorsed it in December, 2004. Airborne's web site still claims "...formula that boosts your immune system to help your body combat germs." Their advertising has claimed that Airborne has the ability to prevent or cure the common cold.

The Federal Trade Commission has determined there is no scientific proof that their claims are true and the formula used in Airborne consists mostly of vitamins A, C, and E, is not a cold preventing formula and that the public was misled.

There are also those who claim that it does work. Utah Pharmacist Dean Jolley said, "There's people that will tell you that it does [work]." He also agreed with the Federal Trade Commission that there is no scientific proof that it works saying, "In fact, there is no scientific evidence that there is a cure for the common cold at all."

Airborne has settled the class action law suit with a $23.3 million dollar settlement, agreeing to refund anyone (that is part of the law suit) the cost (less any state sales tax) of Airborne they have purchased since May 1, 2001. To register as a class action member you must file a claim here by September 15, 2008. You do not need sales receipts to qualify.

If you are an Airborne supporter, because there are many that believe the herbal supplement does work, you can also object to the settlement or officially exclude yourself from the law suite. You must do this by May 12, 2008. Keep in mind that if you exclude yourself from the settlement, you will not be eligible for a refund and you must register as a class action member to be eligible.

The hearing is scheduled for June 16, 2008. If you are a class action member or have filed an objection, you need not be present at the hearing to be eligible for your refund or to submit a statement. The plaintiff's attorney(s) will represent all members of the law suit. However, you may attend the hearing if you wish, at your own expense.

Customers who register as class action members will receive a refund check for the purchase price of the Airborne they have purchased. A deadline for refund checks has not yet been determined. The settlement has to be approved by the court on June 16, 2008. If the court approves the settlement and there are no appeals, settlement/refund checks would be mailed within 30 days.

Many have claimed that Airborne works, and is a miracle cure and prevention formula. Others feel that because there is no scientific evidence, it is merely a vitamin, even a placebo, nothing more than snake oil. Whatever your opinion is, you can support the lawsuit or object to it. Remember the law suit was filed for false advertising, not to determine whether it works or not. If you feel you have been misled, Airborne will refund all of your money.