Treatment: Cancer claim breached Act

The Brisbane-based makers of fruit punches claimed to cure cancer were yesterday slapped with a $15,000 bond for a “technical breach” under Queensland’s “confusing” Food Act.

The owners of Dr Red Nutraceuticals pleaded guilty in the Brisbane Magistrate’s Court to one count of publishing beneficial “health claims” on their company website that their punches cured a list of life-threatening illnesses, including prostate cancer.

Lawyers for Dr Red argued that although the company committed a “technical breach” of the Queensland Food Act 2006, it had complied with advice from Queensland Health in order to comply with all existing laws.

However, barrister Andrew Preston, for Queensland Health, said Dr Red had complied with advice given by QH in 2005, but then altered information on its website saying scientific testing had proved its products could assist in cure or treatment of serious illnesses and disease.

Courier Mail, 4/12/08, p16

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