• False Report Concerning Cola Soda Products
  Sep 14, 2002
  There are several variations of emails being circulated that warn consumers not to buy Coca-Cola (or Pepsi) due to potential tainting of the products. These e-mails are a hoax. There are no advisories, recalls, or safety alerts concerning this product. FDA is the federal agency that has responsibility for regulation of this product and for keeping the public apprised of concerns such as this. You may wish to visit the FDA recalls and safety alerts website at http://www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html to obtain the latest information in this regard.

  The Coca Cola Company notes at its hoax and rumors website (http://www2.coca-cola.com/contactus/myths_rumors/) that it uses a number of processes to assure the safety and quality of the water and ingredients used to make products of The Coca-Cola Company. They also note that investigations to date, conducted by Federal and local officials, as well as The Coca-Cola Company, have concluded that these rumors have no merit.

  Other informative links regarding this rumor may be found at the Urban Legend web site at: http://www.snopes.com/rumors/cocacola.htm.

• Consumer Alert: Buying antibiotics online
  Nov 1, 2001
  Consumers who are visiting Web sites and receiving e-mail claiming to sell Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and other antibiotics should consult "Offers to Treat Biological Threats: What You Need to Know," produced by the Federal Trade Commission in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These fraudsters often follow the headlines, tailoring their offers to prey on consumers' fears and vulnerabilities. The Consumer Alert is available online at http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2001/11/alert.htm
  
• Emails about Anthrax from CDC
  There are several emails being circulated with the false subject line: "Important information about anthrax from CDC." CDC has not conducted a mass email campaign to consumers, therefore, these emails do not originate from CDC.
  
• False Report: Poisonous Perfume Samples in the Mail
  Some State Health Departments have recently received inquiries concerning e-mail messages that allege that women have died after inhaling a free perfume sample that was mailed to them. According to these e-mails, the perfume sample was poisonous. The e-mails also state that free samples received in the mail, e.g., lotions, perfumes, diapers, etc., should be thrown away.

  These e-mails are a hoax. They are a variation of another hoax often referred to as the Klingerman virus. The information in the e-mail notice is untrue. If you receive an e-mail message about poisonous perfume samples received in the mail please do not forward it to others.

  Although these e-mail messages are a hoax, if you are concerned about the contents of a package you receive in the mail, contact your local post office. It is a criminal offense to send potentially hazardous agents through the mail for the purpose of deliberately causing harm to human health. When such an incident occurs, the local emergency response system should be activated by dialing 911 in most communities; in communities without 911 systems, local law enforcement authorities should be notified. The local FBI field office and local and state public health authorities also should be notified.

• False Report: Underarm Antiperspirants or Deodorants Cause Breast Cancer (02-04-2003)

• False Report: Texas Child Dies of Heroin Overdose After Being Stuck by Used Needle Found in Play Area (03-28-2001)

• False Report: HIV Can Be Transmitted by Contact with Unused Feminine (Sanitary) Pads (03-28-2001)

• Tampons and Asbestos,Dioxin (07-23-1999)

• False Report: HIV Can Be Spread Through the Air (12-06-2000)

• False Email Report: Hantavirus Spread by Contact With Soda Cans or Grocery Packages (05-23-2001)

• False Email Report: Klingerman Virus (05-23-2001)

• False Internet Report: Bananas (05-23-2001)

• Needle Stick Hoaxes (10-02-2001)

Origionally Posted: http://www.cdc.gov/hoax_rumors.htm