Cat Media fined $13,320 for alleged unlawful advertising

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), part of the Department of Health, has issued an infringement notice totalling $13,320 to Sydney-based company Cat Media Pty Ltd for alleged advertising breaches.

Cat Media allegedly continued to advertise FatBlaster Original (promoted as a 'Diet Supplement') on its website after the company had cancelled it from the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) on 29 June 2020.

As the good was neither exempt nor excluded from the operation of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (the Act), it needed to be entered in the ARTG in order to be lawfully advertised in Australia. Cancelled therapeutic goods cannot be advertised to Australian consumers. Advertisements for cancelled goods are in breach of the Act.

The TGA takes action against advertising breaches

The regulatory scheme is critical to the safety of Australian consumers and the TGA investigates suspected illegal activity in relation to therapeutic goods. A range of compliance and enforcement tools are available and may include criminal or civil court proceedings, which can result in substantial penalties, fines or imprisonment.

Any person, including businesses, advertising therapeutic goods to consumers must comply with the requirements for advertising. The TGA encourages people to report suspected non-compliant advertising via its advertising complaints form.

Visit the TGA website for tips about how to spot a dodgy health product.