MoH�s Xango Warning A Welcome Development

Monitor Editor | Monday April 24, 2017 11:07

Interestingly, the United States of America (USA)’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning to the makers of the juice to stop making health claims about the juice, in 2006, which is more than 10 years ago.

The juice found its way into different parts of the world including Botswana.

The distributors of course, tell people that the juice heals a number of ailments, otherwise why else would someone buy a 750 ml juice for P350.

People suffering from terminal diseases such as cancer usually buy the juice in large quantities with the hope that the juice will cure them.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness, after 10 years has joined the FDA, to warn distributors of the juice not to make claims that the juice has medicinal purposes.

The Ministry, through the Drugs Regulatory Unit, Food Control Unit and the Police further alerts members of the public to report anyone who is found selling the product with claims that it has medicinal properties.

The warning is however not clear, as it immediately suggests that someone who sells the product without making claims that it has medicinal properties and can treat many medical conditions can continue to sell it.

Yes, the product does not have approval from the Ministry, but is it entering the country legally? The statement released by the Ministry says Xango juice is just fruit juice blend.

Then that will mean individuals are being conned off their hard-earned cash, and doesn’t this fall in line with obtaining under false pretences?

Maybe the distributors should be questioned to check if they have been selling the product under false pretences, that it is not just juice, but a medicinal product.

The Ministry should be applauded for issuing the notice, but the notice should state whether it is calling on distributors to stop selling the product or whether it is fine for them to continue selling the juice as long as they are not making claims of having medicinal properties.