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STATEMENT OF AIRBORNE HEALTH, INC.
REGARDING SETTLEMENT WITH STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL
Victoria Knight-McDowell, Founder and CEO of Airborne Health, Inc. today made the following statement regarding the announced resolution of investigations by 32 state attorneys general and the District of Columbia regarding the marketing and labeling of Airborne products:
"Airborne continues to be used and trusted by millions of Americans from all walks of life. The agreement announced today will have no impact on our products or on the ability of consumers to buy them, because it deals with language that had already been dropped from our advertising and labeling. What hasn't changed is the simple fact that the key ingredients in Airborne have been shown to help support the immune system. Airborne continues to be the number one selling product of its kind in America and we appreciate the loyalty of our customers.
Even though we believe the legal claims against Airborne were unjustified, we wanted to close the book on these legal and regulatory issues. The agreement lets us focus again on what led us to start this labor of love more than 10 years ago: making great products people want and count on. We will continue to talk about the important benefits that Airborne can provide."
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Background
Previous Litigation
The settlement with the Attorneys General - which involves no admission of wrongdoing on Airborne's part - is the last of three settlements involving similar claims regarding the older advertising and labeling of Airborne dietary supplements. On October 6, 2008, a U.S. District Judge approved a $23.5 million settlement of a class action lawsuit. The same Judge, on September 5, 2008, approved a $6.5 million settlement with Federal Trade Commission that would be paid only if the class action settlement does not cover all consumer claims. The class action and FTC settlement funds are being divided among consumers who joined the class action and filed for refunds; the plaintiff; his attorneys; and the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). Close to 15% of the settlement funds, up to $3.4 million, will go to those attorneys and to CSPI. The deadline for submitting claims applications was September 18, 2008.
About Airborne Health, Inc.
Airborne Health Inc., was founded in Carmel, Calif., in 1997 by former second-grade teacher Victoria Knight-McDowell. After selling the company to a private equity firm in 2005, Knight-McDowell bought it back in September of 2008 and now serves again as its Spokesperson and CEO. The company is based in Bonita Springs, Fla. In 2006 Airborne launched the Airborne Teacher Trust Fund, which has since awarded more than 200 grants of between $500 and $10,000 each to help protect classes such as art and music that are being threatened at elementary and middle schools across the nation. To date, more than $471,000 in grants has been awarded.
About Airborne Products
Airborne is a proprietary combination of 17 vitamins, minerals and herbs. The key ingredients in Airborne have been shown to help support the immune system. Millions of repeat customers enjoy Airborne and the family of Airborne products. Airborne has offered a 100 percent money-back guarantee since its inception in 1997.
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