Unfortunately, even I was duped by this formerly super-duper product.

On my last three trrips to the U.S. I would buy at least three-four boxes of this supplement to stock up and take home. Imagine my disappointment this morning when I read this article and viewed this video on ABC News — Airborne To Refund Consumers $23M. Huwaaaat? It’s a fake pala?

The report says that Airborne will pay $23.3. million to settle a class action lawsuit over false advertising. Legal battles beginning in 2006 called into question the product’s claims as a “miracle cold buster.” “You can say your product prevents or cures the common cold if you have data to support that,” said Ronald Turner, professor of pediatrics and associate dean for clinical research at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. “What happened with Airborne is that they made the claim, but had no data.”

According to the recent settlement agreement, people with valid claims will be reimbursed for the amount they spent on Airborne from May 2001 through November 2007 if they still have receipts. Consumers without receipts are eligible to receive money back for as many as six packages each, based on average retail prices of the products. Meyn, that’s an average of $65/ consumer! Now I regret not keeping my packages had I known this was going to happen, I should have around $150 worth by now. Can you imagine, how much extra cash a lot of people are going to have over the next few months because of this? Dami nilang na-goyo eh. Kasali na ako doon.

Thank God though that they only found out that it’s a hoax and not that it contained some dangerous life-threatening substance that has long-term effects. Consumers have until Sept. 15, 2008 to submit a claim.