Apr. 6--Federal agents have raided Beehive Botanicals Inc., a western Wisconsin manufacturer of various consumer health products, saying the company marketed the items with unfounded medical claims.
In a raid last week, U.S. marshals confiscated creams, capsules, tablets, gum, throat spray and shampoos from the Hayward, Wis., company, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said Monday.
In a complaint filed March 25, the U.S. attorney's office for western Wisconsin alleged that the products are misbranded and unapproved, therefore violating the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
The agency said it has not received any reports of consumer illnesses tied to the products.
No officials from the 38-year-old family-owned company were available Monday to comment.
In labeling and promotional materials, the company claimed bee byproducts such as propolis can cure or prevent diseases such as asthma, dermatitis, ulcers, cancer, kidney disease, bone fractures and insomnia.
Three years ago, the FDA sent a warning letter to Beehive requesting that claims about its products be removed from its website and labeling. The company subsequently proposed new labeling, which the agency found acceptable.
But during a later inspection, the FDA found that claims were being made for the products through related websites and advised the company that this was unacceptable.
Paul Walsh --612-673-4482
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