FTC issues warnings to Internet marketers of bioterrorism products

The Federal Trade Commission on Wednesday said it has sent 71 more e-mails warning marketers of bioterrorism products that the products must meet strict standards and testing before being advertised as capable of deterring biological and chemical threats.

The agency is focusing on Internet promotions of products such as gas masks, air filters, protective clothing and ultraviolet light mechanisms, and it is warning site operators to remove from the Web products whose effectiveness cannot be proven.

The e-mail warnings are part of the agency's effort--in cooperation with the Food and Drug Administration, 30 state attorneys general and the California Department of Health Services--to coordinate an Internet "surf" of potentially misleading bioterrorism products.

The campaign has identified more than 200 sites marketing bioterrorism-related products and has resulted in 121 warnings. So far, more than 25 of the initial 50 warnings last month have eliminated suspect claims.