Controversial celebrity chef Pete Evans has been hit with an $80,000 fine for unlawful advertising.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) issued the former My Kitchen Rules judge, six fines that totalled $79,920 as well as a directions notice to company Peter Evans Chef Pty Ltd. to ensure the non-compliant advertising was removed.
The fines were issued for advertising therapeutics goods that were not included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) at the time.
This includes a ‘BioCharger’ device, hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers and two oral medicines.
TGA Act says medical devices and medicines must be entered in the ARTG before they can legally be advertised in Australia.
“It is a requirement of the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code (No 2) 2018 that products are endorsed by health professionals, health practitioners or medical researchers,” the TGA said in a statement.
Evan’s company was issued two infringement notices in August 2020 over breaches of the Act relating to the ‘BioCharger’ device.
Evans’ began sharing controversial social media posts throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, claiming it was a hoax.
