A local pastor yesterday remained tightlipped yesterday over allegations about the authenticity of Sure Cure Ultra Omega’s products being sold to the T&T public. The situation developed after United States-based organisation Great Healthworks raised concerns that the product was being falsely advertised locally. The story was carried exclusively on Monday by CNC3’s executive producer Sampson Nanton, who journeyed to Florida to investigate the issue.
In a letter dated May 1 to the Health Ministry, attorneys representing Great Healthworks raised concerns about the sale of the Omega products locally. The letter stated: “Our company is the owner of Omega XL, an Omega 3 supplement that is being distributed worldwide and has been approved by the Ministry of Health for distribution in your country.
“We are writing to express our deep concern for a product being sold in your country, Sure Cure that is making disease medical claims without proper clinical substantiation, while at the same time disparaging our Omega XL product.” The Omega product being questioned is promoted and distributed by the pastor’s organisation.
The two-page letter, addressed to Adrian Mc Carthy, Food and Drug director at the ministry, provided details about the contents of the locally-based product and called on the ministry to investigate the claim. “We are unaware of any studies regarding the ingredients in Sure Cure that would support the claims being made in their advertising. We request that your offices immediately investigate Sure Cure and cause them to cease in this activity and the misleading advertising taking place,” the letter stated.
“Pharmacies in T&T should have the right to know the truth about Sure Cure so they can make an informed decision whether to sell the product to the public.” Despite the warning, the products remained on the shelves of local pharmacies. Great Healthworks then hired a private investigator to check the composition of the Sure Cure products by sending the Omega XL product and the Sure Cure tablets to ISSI Laboratories Inc in New Jersey.
On August 20, Dr Yesu Das, of ISSI lab, presented a report which found that while Omega XL contained 18 ingredients, Sure Cure’s Omega Ultra contained seven. The report, which was submitted to David Boden, the executive vice-president of financial operations at Greathealth Works, stated: “The label claims of Sure Cure Omega Ultra could not be reconciled with its components. The expected ingredients (Omega fatty acids) are either at very low levels, or at below detectable limits.”
The US-based company is reportedly preparing to take the matter to the courts. Attempts to contact the pastor for comment yesterday were unsuccessful. Someone claiming to be his secretary said he was unavailable and would get a message on to him. A female who answered his home phone also said she would pass a message to him but refused to divulge his whereabouts or give his cellphone number.