Herbal supplement settles $23M lawsuit

CARMEL, Calif., March 4 (UPI) -- A California herbal supplement firm will pay $23.2 million in a class action settlement for false advertising, one of the plaintiff groups said Tuesday.

Airborne, which advertised its supplement helped fight off colds, will refund money to consumers who bought the product, said the non-profit advocacy group Center for Science in the Public Interest.

"There's no credible evidence that what's in Airborne can prevent colds or protect you from a germy environment," CSPI senior nutritionist David Schardt told CNN. "Airborne is basically an overpriced, run-of-the-mill vitamin pill that's been cleverly, but deceptively, marketed."

Airborne, based in Carmel, Calif., also will pay for nationwide advertising that outlines how to file for a refund.

Airborne was created by second-grade teacher who "studied the benefits herbal therapies used in Eastern medicine," the company's Web site said.

A recorded message at the toll-free number of the class-action settlement administrator said Airborne Health Inc. admitted no wrongdoing, CNN reported.

A hearing to consider the settlement's final approval is scheduled for June 16.

Airborne changed its advertising campaign when a plaintiff filed suit against the company in March 2006. Advertisements ceased mentioning cold-curing claims, promoting claims that Airborne helped boost the body's immune systems.