Sham wristband maker admits product is useless, retailers face sanctions

By Patrick Avenell

SYDNEY, NSW: Retailers who continue to sell the now disgraced Power Balance wristbands in its current packaging risk sanction from the ACCC, according to chairman Graeme Samuel.

These wristbands, which feature absolutely nothing that increases balance, strength or agility, have been blasted by the ACCC today, with the suppliers agreeing that the bands do nothing more than tax gullible consumers.

"Suppliers of these types of products must ensure that they are not claiming supposed benefits when there is no supportive scientific evidence," Samuel said.

"Consumers should be wary of other similar products on the market that make unsubstantiated claims, when they may be no more beneficial than a rubber band.”

Power Balance has admitted that its products do none of the things they claim to, and that there is no credible evidence supporting any of its ludicrous assertions. Much of the product’s popularity stems from the bands being worn by celebrities, most noticeably sportsmen.

"When a product is heavily promoted, sold at major sporting stores, and worn by celebrities, consumers tend to give a certain legitimacy to the product and the representations being made,” continued Samuel.

"Retailers that continue to sell the product with misleading representations on the packaging are warned that they may be open to action from the ACCC."

Power Balance has agreed to refund the cost of the band to any consumer that feels misled.

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