LOS ANGELES (CNS) - City Attorney Mike Feuer announced today his office has resolved its case against a Koreatown-based company that advertised and sold a radish paste as “a must-have product for the protection and prevention of the COVID-19.''
The settlement, pending court approval, requires Insan to provide full restitution to those who bought the product while it was advertised, includes a broad injunction on selling the radish paste as a COVID-19 preventative and mandates a $20,000 civil penalty, Feuer said.
“Since the pandemic started, we've been taking aggressive action against those whom we allege spread false information and seek to capitalize on consumer fears,'' Feuer said. “Consumers who are misled into believing in a false COVID-19 prevention or cure might forego the steps we all need to take, from wearing masks to washing hands to physically distancing. In this pandemic, our residents' lives depend on accurate information.''
The city attorney's complaint alleged that Koreatown-based KNATURE Co. Inc., doing business as Insan Healing Inc., and CEO Angela Oh falsely advertised and sold a radish paste product, claiming it was capable of protecting against and preventing COVID-19.
Immediately after the filing of the lawsuit, the defendants took down the advertising at issue and agreed to an injunction prohibiting them from making such claims, according to Feuer's office, which said customers who purchased the radish paste between March 17 and May 14 will receive full refunds.
Consumers can report alleged COVID-related cons and price-gouging to the City Attorney's Office online at www.lacityattorney.org/consumers.