According to the Federal Trade Commission, Airborne Health Inc. of Bonita Springs, Fla. is to pay $30 million to settle a false advertising lawsuit.

As stated by FTC director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection Lydia Parnes, the agency claimed that there was no competent and scientific evidence that the Airborne-branded tablets can actually decrease or at least prevent catching a cold or getting sick, providing “any tangible benefit for people who are exposed to germs in crowded places."

Victoria Knight-McDowell, the inventor of the Airborne Formula, and her spouse Thomas John McDowell, are accused of erroneously claiming that the products were clinically categorized as being cold treatments.

On the Web site of from Bonita Springs, Fla.-based Airborne Health Inc., there are posted links to several studies which allegedly demonstrate "that the key ingredients found in Airborne will help support a healthy immune system."

"A class action lawsuit sparked this matter," Airborne chief executive Elise Donahue stated. "We're just one of many major consumer brands across America that are under assault by class action lawyers," he added.

The class action decision grants reimbursement for customers who bought Airborne products (including Airborne Effervescent Health Formula, Airborne Power Pixies, Airborne Nighttime, Airborne Jr., Airborne On-the-Go and Airborne Gummis) fabricated between May 1, 2001 and November 29, 2007.

Previously, Airborne agreed to pay $23.5 million in customer refunds and costs of legal representation. But an additional $6.5 million have been added.