The Covid-19 pandemic has persisted for the past three months in Singapore since January.

Besides wearing face masks, Singaporeans are likely to seek additional assurance from products that claim to prevent or treat Covid-19 and other diseases.

For instance, you might have heard or seen these clip-on gadgets called EA Mask and EA Bear, which claim to protect wearers from catching diseases by providing a one-metre radius protection around the body.

Local distributor of EA Mask and EA Bear failed to respond to ASAS promptly

In response to a query by Mothership, the Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore (ASAS) said that they have received feedback from "several consumers" regarding EA Mask and EA Bear.

ASAS said that under the Singapore Code of Advertising Practice, all claims in advertisements must be substantiated before the advertisement runs. In the case of health and health-related claims, the substantiation must be in double-blind peer review academic journals.

ASAS told Mothership that it wrote to Mamoru Marketing, the sole distributor of EA Mask and EA Bear in Singapore, on Apr 2, requesting the company to substantiate its claims.

The authority shortened the response time from the customary five working days to three in this case because of the potential health impact of EA Mask and EA Bear, ASAS added.

However, Mamoru Marketing failed to respond promptly to ASAS. It only sent a reply to ASAS on Apr. 13, claiming that "its mailbox was unattended".

ASAS said that this is "not acceptable" and they are following up with Mamoru Marketing. If the company is not able to substantiate its claims, all its advertising claims will have to be removed.

HSA: Be careful of supplements, herbs and 'clip on' products which claim to prevent Covid-19

Meanwhile, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has put out an advisory warning consumers to be wary of products which claim to treat or prevent Covid-19.

"It has come to HSA’s attention that sellers of some health products, including health supplements, herbs and 'clip-on' products, are claiming that their products can prevent or treat Covid-19.

There is currently no evidence that any health supplement, Chinese proprietary medicine, traditional medicine, herb or “clip-on” product can boost the immune system specifically to help prevent, protect against or treat COVID-19."

Some dealers may claim that their products are based on “scientific studies” and “evidence” to kill or stop the spread of viruses, including Covid-19.

However, such advertising claims often lack a robust scientific basis and cannot be verified, especially where emerging diseases such as Covid-19 are concerned, said HSA.

HSA also urged members of the public to avoid buying health products from unknown websites, online forums, blog shops and flyers sent via email, and unlicensed or unknown pharmacies.

If anyone comes across any suspicious sale or advertising of health products, you can inform HSA at [email protected] or call 68663485.

ASAS also reminded advertisers to be responsible and ethical in promoting products during this period.

Members of the public can also flag misleading advertisements via https://asas.org.sg/onlinecomplaint or write to [email protected].

Top photo: Logos via HSA and ASAS websites, photo by Zheng Zhangxin