Tobacco

FDA Warns 14 Online Retailers for Selling Unauthorized E-Cigarette Products

Products include Elf Bar/EB Design, which are brands popular among youth, agency says
Vape products
Photograph: Shutterstock

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued warning letters to 14 online retailers for selling unauthorized e-cigarette products.

The warning letters, sent Wednesday, cited the sale of youth-appealing disposable e-cigarette products marketed under several brand names, which include Elf Bar/EB Design, Esco Bars, Funky Republic, Hyde, Kang, Cali Bars and Lost Mary.

The companies that received warning letters sold or distributed e-cigarettes that lack authorization from the FDA, in violation of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. They have 15 working days to respond with how they will correct the violation and prevent future ones.

The letters are the latest in the FDA’s efforts to address unauthorized tobacco products throughout the supply chain. To date the FDA has:

  • Issued more than670 warning lettersto manufacturers, importers, and distributors for illegally selling and/or distributing unauthorized new tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.
  • Issued more than 550 warning letters to retailers for the sale of unauthorized tobacco products.
  • Filed civil money penalty complaints against more than 55 manufacturers and more than 100 retailers for the manufacture and/or sale of unauthorized tobacco products.
  • Sought injunctions against seven manufacturers of unauthorized e-cigarette products in coordination with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
  • Seized unauthorized e-cigarette products valued at more than $700,000 in coordination with DOJ

 

 

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